I got’s a question?

When fishing the river here, there is significantly higher flow than up on pool 4. So, in order to “feel” the bottom when jigging, I have to use some serious jigs. With the heavy current, my jigs are always behind me and not very vertical. When reading a lot of the posts from pool 4 and above, you guys are all talking about using little girly jigheads to allow a more natural fall How can I do the same here, is it possible? Is the key in having a super duper trolling motor to be able to hold the boat? I cannot afford to buy a new trolling motor this year, but still want to be able to catch eyes on a more regular basis. I have been using the 70hp motor to attempt staying vertical, but that is alot of work trying to jig, stter the boat, and keep an eye out for other boats . Do you use a lighter jig and just let the boat go with the current? Any help would be greatly appreciated

I use the “girly” jigs for pitching to rock banks and wing dams. If I want to Vertical jig I too have to use a larger jig. I fish mainly below the Alma dam, (pool 5) and usually use a 3/8 oz jig when going vertical. Sometimes we have to go bigger, and sometimes when can get by smaller. When you read of guys using 1/8, and 3/16 oz jigs, they are not going vertical with these jigs, they are fishing shallow water. Smaller jigs worked off of rock banks, and wing dams fall much more naturally than the larger jigs, and they get hung up much less. As for vertical fishing in the current, I turn my boat facing downstream, drop in my line, let the motor idle, and hit reverse whenever needed to keep my jig vertical. Hope this helps.

6-lb line, and a 1/2oz jig head is max that I use when fishing at the top of pool 8, in a strong flow, when needed. However the fast flow is not always the best flow. Watch the boats that a are working the current breaks and you will see that the current will help you find the breaks in the flow of water with a minimum of help from the trolling motor. Let the current move the boat, and make corrections with the trolling motor. Too often early on in fishing the lock and dam area I would use the trolling motor to hold in one spot, that is not the right approach.

AM…James and Dustin have a video out …for fishing plastics on the river….IMO this is the only video that was worth it’s cost if you fish the miss…

You have a pm

Thanks for the replies guys
SO far I have been doing exactly as Blackduck does. This worked the last time, but usually the 70hp motor doesn’t like to idle too long before it loads up and floods itself out. So far this hasn’t happened with the motor on this boat. I also wonder about the “spook” factor of fishing while the big motor is running and fishing in 20ft and less? I have a 4hp kicker motor also but I haven’t ran it yet to see how it works. It is an older motor that only has a forward gear, no reverse. I am not sure how that motor would work. I also have another question on jig sizes. So, if I am going with the flow, do I need something lighter? Right now I am using a 5/8 ball jig or hair jig and it is always behind me. I am assuming there really is no way to really keep a jig going at the same rate of speed as the boat in a river setting with using the main motor or a super big trolling motor to keep it in the strike zone. I really hate it when the bait ends up being at a 45 degree angle behind me.
All I know is there is a lot to learn on boat control and fishing techniques on the river . Some day when I get big, I might have to get me a big ol’ Lund with all the toys just to get a few eyes
Briank-Thanks a ton for the offer. I am drooling waiting for the mailman next week

If you have your boat facing downstream and your jig gets behind you, you just hit reverse and let it idle in reverse until the jig is just in front of you. It is really pretty effective, and it doesn’t take long to figure out. Also, if you want to point your boat upstream and use your bow mount it doesn’t take a lot. All you need to do is slow yourself down enough to keep the line as vertical as possible. I have a 75 hp tiller, and I use it all the time like this. You are putting it into reverse and neutral alot, but after a while you don’t even notice. I have a Ficht, and have noticed that it likes to load up after long idles, but seems to be fine when I run back up the river. I only use the big motor while vertical jigging. Shallow water and wing dams require the bow mount or an anchor. I don’t think that vertical jigging in 15+’ with the big motor bothers the fish at all. Plus, these motors now a days hardly have any noise at idle.

I have never used them, but thought I’d suggest them because they seem pretty effective when I see them used on TV shows. How about using one of those drift socks. They seem to slow the boats right down in fast flow or windy conditions. And…I think you can get them for about 25 or 30 bucks. Maybe they don’t use them in this type of situation, but just thought I’d take a different approach. Good luck.

Hey ,sometimes bigger is better . It is not uncommon for us to use a 1 oz jig or more when fishing around the damms at 19 and 20. It makes thing easier to feel for sure. This is usually reserved for deeper water( 30 +) when the current is strong and the fish are deep. Dont be afraid to try them shallow also. I have wacked em good in front of the auxilary locks in 10 -12 ft pounding a heavy jig and minnow. ( Don’t tell the Lockmaster )This may run afoul with the purists but if I’m catchin fish I really don’t care. I have a buddy who makes his own 2-3 oz bananna head jigs to fish next to the power house wall In Keokuk. The fish are there and sometimes you just have to adapt to catch them.

I thought about the drift socks, but have no idea how they work. Do you just throw the m over the side of the boat and they just do their thing? How about getting them back in the boat? I always envisioned them causing you to drift even faster My thinking was when you throw them over and they fill with water, that would be just that much more for the current to grab ahold of and really get you moving.
I am guessing I will have to stay with the heavier jigs and continue fishing like I normally do. I am catching fish, just wanted to be able to catch more and not try to run the motor and jig all at the same time

I guess maybe the drift socks would only work when the wind is blowing you faster than you would like to move. Not neccessarily the current. Like I said, I’ve never used one so I don’t really know, just thought maybe someone that has could chime in their ideas about them.

They are a devise that creates more drag in the water to slow you down from the wind. In the case with the current or the flow pushing you too fast I do not believe they would help you in that case. Never used one myself though.

I have one I haven’t used it on the river though. I think it would work, your boat would create the drag necessary to make the sock “sail” so to speak. They are pointed at the end, so I don’t think they would make you go faster. I will try to remember to take it with, next trip to pool 4. The only thing I worry about is snagging it on something and tearing the cleat off my boat. They need to be out from the boat a bit. Another thing is that you need to haul it in to move. You might get a bit wet, the hands will get cold. I’m speaking of winter fishing of course.

AM,

The flow is very different between Red Wing and the rest of the pools Right now the Flow is 10500 here and 17500 at Dresback so a heavier head may be needed.. Irrespective, the key to vertical fishing is boat control. You really need an electric that you can use to make minor adjustments. I don’t know how your boat is setup but a stern mount that you can reach easily is the best all-around winter system. Bow mounts are probably better but being down inside the boat when it’s cold is a lot more comfortable. Small diameter line also helps. We were out yesterday and could get a 1/16-oz jig to the bottom in 30 ft of water on 4 lb test.

John

It is amazing how different the pools are between Red Wing and here. I did end up using my main motor (70 hp) to keep vertical the last few times I was out. It worked, but is kind of a pain to fish and control the boat Down here we don’t get the pressure like pool 4 does in the fall. The spring can be tricky, but I try to not get in the middle of the mob. I already know I will need a bigger bow mount as the one I have is to small. My kicker is a 4 hp Force that only has a forward gear, no reverse. I want to change the 12 volt to a 24 volt anyway, so getting a new bow mount is not a big deal. I just need to figure out the thrust and shaft length I will need to work good. The boat is a 16′ Alumacraft SC. So I am guessing around the 65#-74# should be alright. I need to get it set-up before the spring run

don’t know about anyone else guy, but i got a 74# minn-kota bow mount on a 1775 lund. its plenty of power for jigging down here in pool 14. except at times ya have to use a kicker on wings. come on spring good bye winter