Pool 2 help

Every fall I tell me myself i am going to take some time to get further exposure of pool 2. I always end up heading down to pool 4 where I am comfortable and know how to put fish in the boat.

I have never launched or fished near the 494 landing, thinking of FINNALLY giving it a go tomorrow, guess I’ve been intimidated by the thought of sorting through the countless number of wing dams in learning a new section of the river.

My game plan is to try as many spots as possible dragging or pitching plastics, maybe blades as well.

Any help or pointers would be very helpful.

Even as simple as which direction I should point my boat in beginning my search?

I know there is very little flow right now, How is the clarity? Is it too clear for a day bite, or is it simply a low light affair, that is targeting walleyes in 12 feet of water or less.

THanks for any help or suggestions

I’m certainly no expert on this but I can tell you what I’ve been experiencing. There’s a short window right when it first gets dark when the Walleyes seem to be up on top of the wing dams and active. Other guys have been staying out quite late and doing well later on. I haven’t heard of anyone doing well in the daylight. The clarity is very good so I think that’s affecting any daytime bite.

The flow is really slow so I’ve been using 1/8th ounce jig heads and ringworms or Moxies. I don’t know if they like chartreuse tails or if I’m catching fish on them because that’s what I’ve been using most of the time. If I had a 3/32nd ounce jig with a bigger hook I’d use that.

Do you have a map chip/GPS that shows the wingdams? If not you’re going to have a some trouble first time out. If there’s a light Southerly wind you can see the wingdams, otherwise they’re hard to spot right now. Some spots will be obvious because there are always boats on them

You can try above or below the 494 bridge, there are good wingdams both ways.

Good luck!

Rootski

I’d say go south of 494 and work those wing dams there’s not nearly as many north, though they can be productive too. Either way I’d pick a direction and work it.

Pretty much if you have a understanding of P4 this time of year, I’d be looking for similar wingdams and areas that work for you on p4 this time of year. I’m not sure anyone spends a lot of time dragging on p2, not that it can’t be effective.

I actually think P2 is a little more straight forward than P4.

Hire MikeW. It’s the only way to go.

For what it’s worth, the fish in pool 2 aren’t any different than they are in pool 4, just the structure is. Also like pool 4, there’s no magic to it — just time on the water. It’d probably be smart to learn the structure during the day before you venture out at night. Just like pool 4, they’re typically a bit deeper during the day and move up as the sun goes down.

Thanks for your help, I’ll post a report if I make it out, have anything to report.

Go looking for saugers during the day. You may find a few walleyes mixed in with them to. You dont hear a lot about the saugers on pool 2 but they are there and very nice sized.

The airport area north of 494 is a good bet to look for them. The confluence is a good bet to. Vertical jigging what ever you have used on pool 4 will work up here.

As far as hazards out on the river just stick to running in the main channel. Its pretty straight forward.

I may need to get out and see if I can find some saugers this week to.

How long into the night can the after dark bite last this time of year? If I can’t get out until 8-9pm am I likely to still find some out feeding or is that mostly a waste of time?

Might want to bring some sand with for the ramps to. They where pretty slick saturday night. Even in 4wd the truck didnt want to go up the ramp to well.

I pulled a big sauger right after I seen you down there Sat Mike!
One other thing about the ramps that I run into at the Levee… When pulling the boat out get those tires out of the water and just let it hang out for a minute to drain the watet!! I shoveled out one side at the Levee and put some sand down. It helps but does no good after a few guys tear out of there and spray water everywhere! So check before you lauch the boat and make sure there is some traction. have almost had my truck dragged into the river on that ramp because it is glare ice.