Hi-vis line…whichever you can personally see best in low light. Right now with the river being very clear a florocarbon leader on the end of either mono or hardline I agree is a good idea.

For fishing jigs in water less than 15′ mono or hardline. Mono for pitching jigs to shallow current I prefer 6 or 8#, deeper than 15′ I’d rather have hardline with a 2-4lb diameter for no stretch and better feel. I don’t do well with blades on mono at all.

Easier for me tie to floro leader with cold hands than hardline too.

Lot’s of good options mono or hardline and if you have spare spools for your reels you can be more versatile by being able to swap from mono to hardline in short order. Then you can test which works best for you from one situation to the next.

Brian

Right on! A great tactic to combat wind. Plus to me it’s a warmer presentation…

Any color that contrasts the color of the plastic/tail.

The ability of the fish to sillo-et (can’t spell it)a dark bait under darkness and a perhaps the light providing flash or glow,or other form of sillo-et on bright nights seems to work. I’m not a biologist, but have fished many situations at night and it seems to work, just can’t say for sure that’s why.

Or my favorite color is what’s catching fish!!

I thought all the boats were congregated there because they were fighting cats.

I was about 100 feet away and seen you turn it sideways and thought….ahh back on Pool 4.

Nice fat fish and nice release!!!

Good to hear Dan,

Now diminish the water clarity and maybe it will be ON during the day! Urinating in it doesn’t seem to warm nor add color to the river, but the minnow bucket…that’s another story.

Brian

Still a few around.

PM sent with cell #

I’m hoping to be out fishing with my 13 yr. old son sunday also. Hopefully by noon to sunset??. Where you launching from? If we crossed paths I wouldn’t have a problem taking him with.

Brian Lauwers

Ice is fishable. Walk or quad. I wouldn’t advise driving. When ice is subjected to warm temps, re-freeze, and more warm/wind conditions it’s somewhat questionable as to the strength per inch of ice. With that said the majority of the lakes in the area have fishable ice ranging in the 9-11 inch range. Surely you will find some area with more, some with less (areas with springs, perms vacating areas). No snow makes walking easier.
Panfish/Pike bite is about average. Walleye bite has been subpar for me most of the ice season inconsistent spurts of activity at best. Avoiding the high pressure fronts and crowds will certainly up your odds of connecting with better fishing.

24.6 Total Weight
7.3 Big Eye
3.8 Big Sauger

Brian Lauwers

Expect to see 100-150 creel survey interns around the state. If your taking college courses toward a biology/fisheries degree hey if might pay better than other part time jobs available. Observant types may even learn a pattern on the fishing in some waters.

I wonder if there will be a invasive species pressure washer station on pool 4….my boat and trailer could use a good wash!!!

Brian Lauwers