Gettin’ the lead out on Pool 9

I awoke early this morning to a sudden illness and was unable to go to work; however, later in the morning I was feeling much better, come to think of it, I was completely well by the time I crossed the bridge into Prairie Du Chien.

Pool 9 was the destination. Too much good news coming from that pool to miss out on the bite. I decided to try my luck in the main river near Lansing and was not dissapointed. After putting several miles behind me on the river while exploring the area and soaking up the magnificent scenery, I slowed her down and used my electronics to locate several humps and rocky bottom in 7′-15′ of water. I clipped on a JSR-5 firetiger and started letting out the leadcore on a downstream run. Within 5 minutes, I landed my first fish, a fat 21″. It was awhile for the next one, but in between, like Whiskerkev said in his post, I think I got a hit on every pass.

I only ended up with two fish but it was because of my lack of experience with the leadcore and fumbling with the net as I was alone; I lost 4 others right along the boat. When they say to take it easy with the fish on the leadcore, they’re not kidding. My kids are still very small, 2 chunky 21″ ‘eyes will feed the 4 of us. I do the zipper fillet thing so I get 4 fillets/fish. The 2 year old eats 1/2 a fillet, my oldest (5) eats 1-1/2 and then my wife and I fight over the other 6.

My mother-in-law, bless her, gave me a $50 gift card at Gander Mountain for my birthday last month. I used it to buy a lead-core setup. Two weeks ago, they had their leadcore reels on sale. I think leadcore line, counter reel, and backing cost me $1.91 (with the $50 card). I put the reel on my St. Croix pro-glass rod with the mod-fast action.

For the 7-15′ depths, I had anywhere between 55-80′ of leadcore out. Stuck with the firetiger Shad Rap, with all the hits, I didn’t see a need to change styles or color, it was what they seemed to want today. Iam just so psyched that I hit a new spot all on my own trying new techniques and was able to produce some fish! The sun was blazing, I fished from 1-4PM, bright blue skies. To be quite frank, I was surprised they’d bite under such conditions. Still perplexed about last Saturday in pool 11, I really don’t think I did anything different today; but that’s how fishing goes. Pool 9 is hot right now, get out if you can…

Regards,

Joe Jiacinto

Nice Work Joe,

It is rewarding when you finally figure it all out. The old man has many gifts to give. Soon, you will see the potential for walleyes in every eddy and current break. Fishing the river is like reading a really good book that has no last chapter.

Good going Joe! That is indeed a great feeling when you put things together on your own. These memories will keep you going when the going gets tough.

Quote:

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Fishing the river is like reading a really good book that has no last chapter.

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Nice quote Whisker. I’m gonna try and remember that one always.

It is kind of a neat process, this thing of learning to read the water. I know after I hooked the first one, I looked for a similar hump on the graph as I slowly worked my way along the rocky shoreline; the fish seemed to be on those rockpiles where the depth changed a few feet suddenly.

Next time out, in similar conditions, I am going to anchor ahead of the lump if it produces while trolling, and then toss jigs at ’em and see how I do. An older river-rat at work suggested I try that technique, says sometimes the action can be really hot if you find them stacked on those rockpiles and feed them some jigs or leeches.

What I want to really know though is why in a totally similar place in pool 11, I got nothing last weekend? I don’t think I did anything much different, and the bottom structure, according to the graph was very similar.

Another thing, is there some art to bringing ’em in on the leadcore? I lost more fish yesterday than I have in a long time. Part of the learing process, I suppose.

All I can say fellas is that I am hooked to this river walleye thing, I love the big water, it reminds me of my times on the Chesapeake back home.

Regards,

Joe Jiacinto

Hey Joe, I’m not sure if I can give you great answers to your questions but I’ll throw in my .02.

Sometimes some areas just hold walleyes because of proximity to another area: deep water, big expansive flat, tributaries, flow issues, etc. You can bet there was some slight but important difference in the area, or features in the adjoining area, which will be related to the availability and access to food for the walleyes. Just a general thought.

As for losing fish at the boat. It could be the low stretch of leadcore line along with a stiff rod and/or drag. I’m not familiar with the St Croix glass rods but I would think that they would be decently soft. I used to have big >5 pound walleyes literally rip the hooks out of there mouths on those last boatside power runs, but I solved that by going to real soft rods, lighter drags settings, and a soft, patient touch when fighting these bigger fish. Then again, sometimes walleyes will just nip and get get one hook on the rear treble and tend to get off easy. Hard to say.

There’s only one real way to find out. More fishing!

Joe,
KwikSet had some very good advice, I’ve also lost a lot of fish on leadcore. Here’s a couple other things to try. Try to keep constant pressure on the fish with the reel, don’t “pump” the rod to fight them. I just keep cranking on the reel, even if I am making no head way. That insures if they ease up or come toward me, the hooks will not gain any slack. Secondly, especially with a 20″er or more, put your rod tip, or whole rod, straight down in the water and continue to reel until they run out of steam and the net is ready to scoop them, then carefully bring the rod up and scoop ’em up. Good going Joe
John

John:

Yeah, I think I was getting a little too dramatic out there; standing up and fighting the fish much more than I should have with that low-stretch leadcore. My buddy Dave, at work, said the same thing; just take it really easy and bring them in steady with the reel and rely less on the rod.

We’ll have to plan a trip to pool 14 sometime soon and pay you a visit.

I’m taking a buddy with me to 9 tomorrow morning, I’m supposed to pick him up at 4:30, so I better get my in really soon. Thank God for !

Regards,

Joe Jiacinto