Don,
I was down there from 8 am- 2pm. I didn’t see anyone fishing shallow for any lenght of time, near the dam.
Were you slowly crusing down stream past Everts at about 2?
I want to fish shallower, but I am mostly a live bait person. I’m going to fish more this week but I don’t need fish. Most of the fish we caught were past 40′ can’t throw any back. Are there any “common” spots you can tell me? I don’t expect any info on honey holes. I admit my fishing there has always been at the dam. I would like to try different areas and plastics. We did have success on plastic in the morning up at the dam. So I have some confidence fishing with them. Any help is appreciated. You can PM if you like. I will talk with Steve as well, he is very helpful. It is nice to get out in the boat and this week the weather is going to be great.

Dan

thanks for the advice. I am an educated fisherman. I have been fishing down in red wing since the 80’s. I am aware of the issue of deep fish. That is why we fished there today and yesterday. They were bigger. not huge, just keeper size. We ended up with 18 fish. All except one from the deep. WE had only 2 that were to small to keep normaly.(they were put in the well) I still stand by my decision to fish deep and keep. I don’t do that if they are shallower. Deeper than 40 do not go back. Boat control is easy with the tiller, but I think the fish know when I am adjusting position. They like to catch me off guard. Feeling bottom is not an issue. The Smaller ones were in the 30-40 foot range. I don’t like to target the smaller ones just to get a couple of keepers especially when they are deep like they are. There were 5 or 6 boats that must have caught a HUNDRED of little ones, all thrown back. All caught in 30-50 fow. That was a shame to see. There were a few fish caught out of the back end of the pool in 20-30 fow but not many. There are few if any fish shallow right now. We started shallow both days. Several boats fished shallow for a while, but all ended up in the pool. There were two walleyes (mid 20’s in size) caught in deep water 30+. I don’t eat fish, well very little. If I go myself, I would not fish that deep unless I was going to keep a few fish. I hope I don’t sound like I don’t appreciate your advice, I know you are trying to help. I could use some advice on shallow plastic fishing. I am going to work on plastics in shallow water this year. I caught a few today on plastic that gave me a little confidence. To be honest, I would go tomorrow, but I don’t need fish. There were some signs of movement to the shallower areas later in the day, about 2 or so. I may try it again on tues, to see if they have moved up. I will post a report after my next trip.
Dan

1-29-05

Launched at 7:45 or so. Bite was basically the same as yesterday, plunge pool edge or out the back. My nephew and his cousin were with me today. We actually fished plastic seriously for the first time. Our first 5 fish were taken on them so I gained some faith. However the bite slowed and I switched to a REAL bait. (just kidding) Most of the rest of the fish came on minners. We started our drift deep 60-70 fow. drifting back to 30ish fow. We did catch a handful of walleyes, most 13″ers and going back in. We caught those in 30 fow. Most of the saugers were 14-17 (the ones we kept) we did catch a lot of smaller ones. The biggest ones were caught in 45-60 fow. Quite a few were stinger fish. Some fish were there after the first bump, others took 10-15 seconds of waiting to get the hook into em’. Tried to give them a little line but they would just let go. They wanted the bait on or near the bottom. No jigging, just touch bottom and let it hang 6-12″ up. I may have another report on monday or tuesday. Good luck.

you might be a redneck if………….

I will Jack leaving lakeville about 8 a.m.

chappy- been to the tressle?
I use a swivel on my main line (i like to use fireline). I got some quick change clips from GM. I tie up 6-8 fluro leaders about 2’long with a jig on one end and a clip on the other. I store them on a leader keeper. I can change colors/jigs quickly. When I try to tie a jig on in the house the darn “eye” keeps winking.

I had to laugh at cnn the other night. they talk about moss and his “giving a moon” back to the fans. then they show the colorado mascot making a half court shot. Then the mascot does the arm pump-hip thrust deal to the crowd. Er guys that is a “dry hump” sexual comment. The media is clueless. Oh and joe buck is a dork to the Nth degree. That is why we watch the game and that is it.

Made it back to the tressle on thurs. I had two bites. None made it through the ice. My nephew and I were marking fish most of the time, just sniffers though. Very cool area. One older guy came down the hill drilled two holes (downstream of us) and did catch one med. eater eye. We fished below the tressle. Ice was thin on the right as you come throught the bridge, STAY LEFT. but you already know that don’t you. I am going to try isabelle. I’ll try to give you a heads up before I go chappy. thanks for the help.

Brian-
everything wrong OR everyone wrong? hmmmmmmmmmm. Ever hear Robin Williams bit on glof?

Well nubbin, my father in law has a 20lb northern on his wall. He got it 10 years ago.

Kooty, the plain hook and split worked
it was only a 11″ one but IT WAS A WALLEYE.
To much noise, we were out sat eve. the noise was non stop.
Cars doing 60 35 ft. from the house. I don’t get it, no chance of stopping out there if you had to. snowmobiles atv’s kids screaming and pounding on the ice,
BLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHH. Did manage a few crappies and sunnies after we moved.
Still great to get out.
Sunnies and crappies have been reluctant biters last few days. Looking at the forecast, wed is lookin good.
good luck all.

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.

I travel once a year or so to California to go deep sea fishing. I use a pvc tube. Plumming supply places can get you a 4-6-8″ tube. You can get an end cap and a screw cap for the ends. I wrap each rod in a towel or 2. (I use some of my cheap fishing shirts, they get dirty and thrown away.) Be sure to pack the ends with towels or rags as well to prevent end damage. You can make a strap for carrying them to and from the airport. You can even use several smaller ones and connect them together. It still counts as one piece of luggage to the airlines. CALL THE AIRLINE YOU ARE GOING ON, THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT RULES. Length of the tube can be a factor. They don’t fit through the xray machine so be prepared to open it up to show security before they send it on to be loaded on the plane.
Good Luck

Hi Gary, thanks for the welcome. In the summer I fish red wing and the Mn river, shakopee area. Not much in the way of lakes, too crowded. I want to start to fish pool 2 more, not far from my house. This is the first winter in a couple of years I have fished much if any at all. Doing well on Prior for panfish, not much for walleyes. I am going to fish North lake on saturday, with my nephew. (Stopped by belle plaine area earlier this week, but the ice was not too stable.) I need to do some jigging for bigger fish, pike and eyes. I want to try some new areas by hastings. I’m in lakeville so the drive isn’t bad. Our plan was to start at North lake early for some crappies, then on to the tressle area. Never fished either one, so it should be fun.

Steve- I fish there quite a bit. I just registered a few days ago great to see you guys on here. I am ususally one of the few in mid winter. It’s great to be down there catching fish with only a few boats around. I will be down there pretty soon.
Thanks for the reports.

Teagan- I have been out on Prior w/o a camera. Based on where and what you saw would you say it’s worth is to throw down a minnow near the bottom in the 20-25’depths? Crappies have been suspended. With all the sunfish on the bottom, I haven’t been sure about the eyes.
thanks