Never fished pool 4 but always wanted too…Always seemed a bit intimidating.Please if your willing throw a guy a bone! Where should I land the boat? I think the ticket is Jigs and plastics…Where are some basic spots a guy could try? Pics and Maps of the area greatly appricated…Thanks in advace 4 the info! 
Steve and Kari at Everts have a basic map (free) and a Hot Spots Map ($9.99) along with the launch, info and tackle for the bite.
Few wing dams to watch out for but that’s the first thing that’s marked on the map.
Just don’t ask Kari to show you here snugglebunny….and you’ll be good to go. 
This I do know you guys are the ones to see! Your bait shop is like the Godfather of baits shops in the area! Plus my Grandpas name was Evert! 
When do the big girls start to bite, so I can plan a weekend to come down and get schooled by the greats?
If I had to plan, and couldn’t be fairly flexible, I’d plan for the first weekend in April. Unless we have a very warm year, that week usually gives you your best odds at running into big fish near the dam. There are always big fish on P4, but you have to fish specifically for them other times of the year, and be willing to catch 1-3 fish all day if you’re solely looking for pigs.
Maybe I catch a few small gravel lizards for the 50 gallon fish tank at home…lol j/k hahaha
As a guy that has only been there a couple times, if you are at all comfortable launching in the river go to Everts as suggested. I personally was good with launching, but nervous about launching in any current, particularly being alone, and with others that may be a lot better at it, vs a dock in a quiet marina. I took the path of comfort, and put the boat in down river a little further in downtown Redwing, but you have to wait for any ice to clear there… assuming it is iced in now. There are a number of decent areas to fish along the way as well.
Not sure what I would do if I was alone now… guessing everyone is understanding if you stay out of rush time. Probably try it there.
Pretty easy to run in the channel from there… and I then docked at Everts to get some bait, tackle, advice, and just see what always seemed like a couple friendly faces willing to talk fishing with a new guy.
I personally found the entire area to be a little easier to get around than pool 9, and if you pay attention to markers, a map and such, it is not something to be afraid of by any means. Sure if current is high, things change some, but go… and have fun.
Good chance for bigger fish seems to be towards the end of this month and 1st half of next month. My suggestion would be get in a few trips ahead of that time to get familiar with the river and presentations. Dont really just want to be learning your way around in the middle of prime fishing.
So please brake down the do’s and dont’s of fishing pool 4…with this being a small area to fish and I know it can get packed with boats quick…What should a guy make sure to do in order to prevent him from getting run out of town…Help! 
First rule of Pool 4…NEVER TALK ABOUT POOL 4!
Sorry couldn’t resist!
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First rule of Pool 4…NEVER TALK ABOUT POOL 4!
Sorry couldn’t resist!
Nice One!
You can also request a free book of river maps from the MNDNR. Not the most accurate map, but it will show you where the main channel goes and where wing/closing dams are located.
Use stink bait…
Kidding – fish shallow – stay away from the dam, the front part is closed passed the second sign between March and April. You will see the signs. I’ve been told they patrol that quite frequently.
Make sure your trolling motor is charged full. Get up to date bite info from Steve and Kari at Everts and you will be fine. 
Run your boat slow until you learn the river stretch. No reason to lose a lower unit to get to a spot 5 minutes faster.
Set the hook and hang on
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Use stink bait…
Kidding – fish shallow – stay away from the dam, the front part is closed passed the second sign between March and April. You will see the signs. I’ve been told they patrol that quite frequently.
Make sure your trolling motor is charged full. Get up to date bite info from Steve and Kari at Everts and you will be fine.
Run your boat slow until you learn the river stretch. No reason to lose a lower unit to get to a spot 5 minutes faster.
Set the hook and hang on
NICE EYE! THATS WHAT IM LOOKING FOR!!!
Here’s an easy cheesy way to load your boat in swift water on a roller trailer. Bunks are easier.
Once a person does it a couple times it’s not any different then loading in a marina. All a person has to do is let the current aid your loading and not work against it.
Nice job Steve. 
PS that vidoe was taken at flood stage.
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Here’s an easy cheesy way to load your boat in swift water on a roller trailer. Bunks are easier.
Once a person does it a couple times it’s not any different then loading in a marina. All a person has to do is let the current aid your loading and not work against it.
Nice job Steve.
I cant see the Video? Can you post a link? THANKS!
The quickest way to get some unwanted attention would probably be to go up to the dam on the MN side and toss out an anchor! 
I’ve seen some good pissing matches get started this way. Use common sense and you will be fine. Like Mike said, get your feet wet now, in another few weeks, the river will be a ragin’
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Just don’t ask Kari to show you here snugglebunny….and you’ll be good to go.
Snugglebunny! 
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Quote:
Just don’t ask Kari to show you here snugglebunny….and you’ll be good to go.
Snugglebunny!
What or Who is this Snugglebunny you speak of? lol
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Steve and Kari at Everts have a basic map (free) and a Hot Spots Map ($9.99) along with the launch, info and tackle for the bite.
Few wing dams to watch out for but that’s the first thing that’s marked on the map.
Just don’t ask Kari to show you here snugglebunny….and you’ll be good to go.
Thanks! BY the way nice under water footage you shoot of pool 4…pretty sweet to see those big catz just laying on bottom stacked up…crazy the shad didnt get them to even move! Do you just hold the camara as you go or have some kind or rig to keep it off the bottom? Built in DVR?
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The quickest way to get some unwanted attention would probably be to go up to the dam on the MN side and toss out an anchor!
For that matter, if you see a bunch of boats drifting or dragging a section and getting fish, don’t slide in and drop anchor in the middle of their drift. No law that says you can’t, but you won’t be popular.
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Thanks! BY the way nice under water footage you shoot of pool 4…pretty sweet to see those big catz just laying on bottom stacked up…crazy the shad didnt get them to even move! Do you just hold the camara as you go or have some kind or rig to keep it off the bottom? Built in DVR?
You must not have seen the walleyes on video yet. 
The rig I use is called the Jesse Krook rig. It’s a combination of an I-pilot and a catfisherman wanna-be. 
The easiest way to film is to have an LX-9 Marcum, but I’ve been using a video camera that has a “video in” port in the past.
The walleye sauger videos where it looks like I’m moving pretty fast are when I’m alone and drifting down stream. Kinda hard to do with all the boats around right now…but there are ways.
Hope to see you down at Everts.
I’m just happy he is picking on someone besides me for a change—-BK is such a bully
He likes to start things he can’t finish. (k)
Ask his FW she will tell you the exact same thing!
When you pull off the ramp at Everts,… remember, the river goes two directions. There are many big fish both ways. You don’t have to play bumper boats (upstream) if you don’t want.
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First rule of Pool 4…NEVER TALK ABOUT POOL 4!
Sorry couldn’t resist!
Second rule is never say ….there’s fish down stream!
My best advice would be to fish it like any other pool on the river. Look for current seems and start pitching jigs. If you have a hankering to vertical jig, do that. As mentioned, be mindful of others and don’t leave without a pocket of 1/4 and 1/2 oz floating jig heads. Pool 4 must, trust me. BK can hook you up, just ask for them if you stop by Everts. Good luck and if you mention my name, I’m sure BK will hook you up with a discount on the jigs.
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