Tom

I’ve found the same the last few times I’ve been out. Lead and flicker shads around structure or small flats next to deeper water has produced the most keepers. Blade baits, jig and minnow, and ripping raps catch fish but more of a mixed bag of species and in my experience less keepers. I have talk to guys that do well this time of year on a a more shallow bite casting jig and minnow or plastic but I have tried and failed. I suspect it’s a confidence thing and I’m missing a few details that might make it more successful. Either way I’m going to give it a try tomorrow morning and hope for the best.

Good luck out there!

I’m with you Paulaski. I haven’t done well the last couple trips. Leadcore around structure has produced an occasional keeper but no bites trolling main basin areas. Talked to a few guys that did ok with cranks shallow in the early morning. Going to go out tomorrow and will try plastic shallow and try to fish a little more current. Marked plenty of fish especially south close to Prescott but can’t get them to bite. Nice time to be on the river whether the bite or not though. Good luck!

Try to get out once per week between Afton and Prescott. Channel cats, sheepshead, and saugers on live bait with the occasional sauger to keep. A few walleyes every evening on cranks with leadcore. Interestingly recently it seems it’s either a 10 in walleye or 20+ trolling cranks (and not very many of those) Not much in between. Earlier in the year it was all 12-14 inch males.

Pulled crawlers Saturday and managed 4 keepers and allot of shorts. 15 – 20 fow.

Yesterday long-lined and used lead core. Best luck in 15 to 20 fow. Leadcore did much better than long-line. But it’s all about getting the bait in the strike zone at the correct speed. There are manuals, books, and spreadsheets that consider what bait, line, speed you are using. I just figure if my bait doesn’t tick the bottom if it comes up a couple feet in depth than I’m doing it wrong and I’ve done it wrong allot😀. You can always use a three way rig if you want to fish it slower and deeper and know your in the strike zone. Trying to catch suspended fish is a different story, but I’ve never had much luck doing that

Thanks so much for the help. I’ll stop by fleet farm today, and try to get out and do some practicing tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Bluffs launch was open on Friday. Use caution if you are unfamiliar with the launch as there are no marker buoys out and the breakwater is underwater.

Thanks for the advice guys. Stuck around a small lake near my house (powers lake). Fishing was slow but s’mores, hot coco, and sled rides kept everyone happy.

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Yup. Should be good with rods and tackle. Myself and another dad each will bring 5-10 rods each. Likely some kids will be playing games too so not everyone will be fishing at the same time.
Thanks

Took my Co-worker and his son out Friday morning. Picked them up in afton at windmill marina. They sat on the dock for literally only 5-10 min but in that amount of time a stranger offered to take them fishing. Didn’t get a chance to talk to the guy but he was in a newer white black and red Larsen. I thought that was super cool! It was a nice day and we kept the young fella busy with the standard st. Croix mix. Kept 3 walleyes, 2 saugers and a couple perch for the table.

Went out Sunday from 8-12 trolling cranks and pulling crawlers between Afton and St. Croix bluffs. Caught 6 species but only 2 short eyes. Beautiful morning and the wife had fun so win-win.

Great group of people down at shiners tonight. Look forward to seeing you out on the river. Good luck this weekend.