Is it Prime Time for Big River ‘Eyes?

  • James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 5, 2011 at 1:20 pm #1333241

    Well, maybe not quite yet.

    I made it out on the Mississippi River for a few hours last night hoping a biggie or two would bless my boat. I must have been a good boy this week as the first fish was this 29″ walleye that smoked a Moxie in Pro Blue.

    Man, it feels good to be back on the river!

    Anyone else been out? I know last night the boats were few and far between which likely had to do with the high winds. Can’t blame guys for not making it out as the strong winds out of the south made getting the boat positioned a real bear.

    Better times are yet to come. One would expect a very strong bite on the river at prime time at this time of year but, to be honest, the numbers and size are still down a bit from what I would expect. That will of course change for the better in the weeks leading to ice up.

    Have fun out there.

    Pete Bauer
    Stillwater, MN
    Posts: 2599
    November 5, 2011 at 1:28 pm #1006684

    Nice fish, Holst!

    Yep – I’ll be out this weekend

    drewsdad
    Crosby, MN
    Posts: 3138
    November 5, 2011 at 1:31 pm #1006685

    Sweet fish James! My 2 PB’s have come at this time of the year.

    Joel

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 5, 2011 at 1:36 pm #1006686

    Quote:

    Nice fish, Holst!

    Yep – I’ll be out this weekend

    I don’t think I’ll try to get out today with the high winds. I had my fill yesterday. It wouldn’t be so bad if there was a bit more current to keep the boat tight against the anchor rope.

    Pete Bauer
    Stillwater, MN
    Posts: 2599
    November 5, 2011 at 1:43 pm #1006687

    Quote:

    Quote:

    Nice fish, Holst!

    Yep – I’ll be out this weekend

    I don’t think I’ll try to get out today with the high winds. I had my fill yesterday. It wouldn’t be so bad if there was a bit more current to keep the boat tight against the anchor rope.

    I hear ya there! I still have a hard time using the anchor while wing-dam fishing unless those fish are pinned spot on the spot – maybe just a bad habit of using the bow-mount.

    The big question is – how close to the wingdam does a guy need to be to effectively pitch a 3/16oz jig against a 20-30mph, gusting 40mph, south wind

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 5, 2011 at 1:44 pm #1006688

    Quote:

    Sweet fish James! My 2 PB’s have come at this time of the year.

    Joel

    Didn’t I read somewhere that you stuck a biggie earlier in the week from shore? And yes, this is definitely one of the best times for big fish on the river.

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 5, 2011 at 1:46 pm #1006689

    Quote:

    The big question is – how close to the wingdam does a guy need to be to effectively pitch a 3/16oz jig against a 20-30mph, gusting 40mph, south wind

    A: On top of it!

    To be honest, I caught that fish on a 3/8 oz. head. I couldn’t fish a 3/16 or 1/4 last night when the winds were whipping to save my life. We got close to the dams and made short little pitches to the top and short lined them down to the base.

    JasonP
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 1372
    November 5, 2011 at 2:57 pm #1006698

    I’ll probably be landlocked this wknd…in fact I may have to throw in the towel for the year…just have too many irons in the fire right now.

    If I start to see numerous sumos like that one showing up on this site it might change my mind though. Nice fish.

    What is the water temp like right now? And are we starting to see the bait in the channel yet?

    drewsdad
    Crosby, MN
    Posts: 3138
    November 5, 2011 at 3:50 pm #1006702

    Yes I did sir. I don’t know how big it was; but I am a pretty good guestimater. It was at least a 28″ and I guess I also have enough street cred that nobody said BS when I produced no pic. So I got that going for me; which is nice.

    dd

    JasonP
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 1372
    November 5, 2011 at 3:59 pm #1006705

    Quote:

    So I got that going for me; which is nice.

    dd

    CADDYSHACK! called it. Dude ….did you want to put this in your “broke the curse” post?

    a-and-t
    By Rochester,MN
    Posts: 708
    November 5, 2011 at 4:18 pm #1006707

    It’s close. Hope prime time starts next week.

    jiggin-rake
    inver grove heights, minnesota
    Posts: 857
    November 5, 2011 at 5:07 pm #1006716

    Nice fish! Unfortunately my dad is pulling the boat out of the river for the year. Hopefully I can connect with a sumo from shore.

    stuart
    Mn.
    Posts: 3682
    November 5, 2011 at 6:21 pm #1006731

    Thats a dandy James!Monday is my next day off, will be testing the waters down here.

    Ron Johnsen
    Platteville wi
    Posts: 2969
    November 6, 2011 at 1:47 pm #1006813

    Very nice eye James

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 6, 2011 at 6:01 pm #1006841

    Quote:

    Nice fish, Holst!

    Yep – I’ll be out this weekend

    How was it this weekend, Pete? Did you make it out?

    happycampin
    New Richmond, WI
    Posts: 667
    November 6, 2011 at 10:07 pm #1006877

    You are a master.

    Ryan

    Pete Bauer
    Stillwater, MN
    Posts: 2599
    November 6, 2011 at 11:21 pm #1006892

    Quote:

    How was it this weekend, Pete? Did you make it out?

    Whew – Just got in. Dad and I made it out for a 3 hours this afternoon; never made it out yesterday. I thought the wind may lay down tonight… I guess that’s not the case – it made pitching an absolute pain!

    As for tonight – a few walleyes, a crappie, and nice to get back out.

    Dad pictured with the best fish tonight, a nice 28″.

    Pete

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