Used 10, used 8 for years and now strictly 6inch holes. I run and gun, easier to punch and it works. I haven’t had an issue with getting larger fish through them. I chase panfish strictly and get the occasional walleye and etc. Main reason why I prefer the 6inch is panfish seem to turn around in anything larger. Set the hook and get em to the hole even if they come unbuttoned I wait and they all float to the top to retrieve. I’m content with the 6.

i fish the river til i can’t put the boat in the water any longer, the bite is ridiculous. Its a tough decision between stand sits and walleye right now.

triton186 wrote:

Lead was hot yesterday….nothing big, but 14 in 2 1/2 hours…Ripshad 200s in 15- 20 FOW (some nice silvers to fill in the gaps). I didn’t realize that the no-wake had been lifted so I just started trolling from the dock and never looked back. All south of 94 bridge WI side of river.

The ones I cleaned were stuffed with 2 1/2 inch shad. No heavy concentrations of fish but my graph was rarely ever clear.

Now to hunt for bigger fish…….

the bigger fish are below all them active ones.

As a Nils owner and strictly 6″ drill I haven’t had any issues pulling walleye through that hole. If I ever get worried I’ll drill two 6″ holes side by side

Quite a few lakes around. With the 10 panfish limit in St. Croix county there are decent panfish to be had, but there is a lot of pressure. A few lakes to name would be Cedar, Pine, Bass and the infamous St. Croix. Take your pick and explore. If your willing go north into Polk County, plenty of lakes there with quality panfish also. Good Luck Sir!

phoyem wrote:

Awesome! I think I’ll get out trolling around Hudson or Bayport saturday. Any idea how the lead trolling bite is going? I haven’t been out in a few weeks.

Seen a boat pick up a few lastnight. I don’t troll so I can’t speak on that Sir.

nhamm wrote:

What’s the closest public launch around 94 area, beanies is getting spendy.

I’m not sure, I think Hudson launch is closed due to high water.

Matt Moen wrote:

Not much close to Beanies that is public that I know – Afton and Hudson are both about the same cost.

Tipdown, how was the flow? I was thinking about fishing P2 this weekend but I don’t think I want to fight the current since I’ll be on my own. Were you live bait or trolling? I would assume the live bait bite will be kicking in soon again.

I’m not sure about the flow, I’d say p2/3 is going to be rough. I haven’t ventured down that far as of late. The bite on the Croix is good enough for me. I’ve been throwing swimbaits and crankbaits at them, but I wouldn’t doubt the livebait bite. I haven’t used livebait on the river in a few years, especially during this time of year its all artificial for me. Watch your electronics and you will have a ball.

Good Luck gentlemen!

After being absent from the river I finally made it out last night from 1600-1830, calling it fun would be an insult. Between two guys we picked up a 2 man limit of walleyes along with 20+ whitebass with a stray crappie here and there. They were snapp’n every cast for a good hour and half, the fall bite is definately ON!!!!!!!!! Good Luck!

There are no walleye or whitebass to speak of in that river! Great images off the birds Sir!

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

Limits to be had from the dock in Prescott (boat launch)

I don’t get a chance to make it down that far but thank you for the recommendation Sir!

walleyevision wrote:

What type of rod are you using? I’d like to buy s dedicated swimbait/jigging raps rod, that is if one rod would work for both.

That’s a tough one, one rod won’t be able to do it all imo.

Dobynns 805cb for larger swimbaits/crankbaits
Gloomis MBR783 MH for #7 and #9 Jigging Rap-Short sensitive and very effective

I’m late to the party but, Yes in fact they are! It takes a lot of searching but the rewards are generous! As of late they have been up shallow, less than 10fow. Good Luck!

nhamm wrote:

Fish porn at it’s best. Great catches

What kind of depths are you targeting with those lures nowadays?

Less than 10fow

And do you feel braid is needed for this presentation to drive those big hooks home?

Braid is a must along with a very sensitive rod to feel that paddletail swing. I utilize a Dobynns 805cb with 30lb braid.

29″ St. Croix River from 2016-Released to fight another day!

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Ever since my trip to El Salto, I’ve been toying with “magnum baits” in particular the 6″ Storm Swimbait. I’ve been throwing it on the River for two years and its worked well for Smallmouth but as of late no success on Walleye. I took that swimbait on to Mille Lacs in late August, first cast on a reef and fish on, a very nice healthy 28″ Walleye.

I’ve also been toying with a Magnum Squarebills (3/4oz), I’ve thrown it in the past for Bass without success. Over the weekend while in NW MN I had the urge to “try”, with a half hour window and well to my surprise the results were fantastic. The results were two very healthy walleyes at 28″ and 23″.

Its proof that whatever Mr. Stange is doing, well its works! Walleyes on “magnum baits” up to 28 iches, well that’s in the books for me. Good Luck!

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reflective tape on the tip, shine with flashlight. I guess I like to be discreet…….

Prior to the rain fall the bite has been decent. Catching a mix bag of Walleyes, Crappies, Whitebass and Smallies. Half a limit of walleyes at best for a few hours of fishing, but losing too many fish after hookup. Last week I picked up a flathead mixed in with two dandy walleyes. With the high water the bite will definitely get better! Good Luck!

I’m no professional here but i’ve had my fair share of fishing the backwaters through the years. Instead of fishing low, try fishing the upper water column (1/2 way down) when targeting big perch. Most of the larger perch are so aggressive when they come through they tend to behave like slab crappies they will come up high to hit your jig. (Most I don’t even mark on the flasher) I’ve also noticed pulling the jig out and slowly dropping it back in I will get the larger fish, just hold on tight. Good Luck!

tweet,

hows the bite going down there? Its been quite a few years i’ve been to Merrick, any news on Spring?

Dave, Nice fish!!!! How deep and what types of areas have you been finding them? I was down on P8 a few weeks ago and pounded the jumbos in 4fow. Nothing like jumbos tugging on a 4.5ft inline rod with 3lbs test!

St. Croix, Petenwell and Castle Rock is also another good option if your traveling east. If your looking for size St. Croix, if your looking for quantity Castle Rock/Petenwell.

pm sent.

Sign me up, i’d love to hook into one and I’m willing to travel! Great info sir!

happycampin wrote:

TIPDOWN wasn’t kidding!!! We had a blast Saturday afternoon with my buddy and 9 year old son. Pulling lead core kept us busy almost the entire time. It gets a little hectic when all 4 rods are hooked up and you only have 3 guys to reel them in! Even had a nice kicker to boot…

Nice fish Sir!!!!! I’ve released quite a few of those but that sure is a dandy congrats!!!!!

The bite is still phenomenal, four hours on Sunday put 6 in the box between two guys 15-20inchers. Last night two hours, I put 4 in the box 16-20inch. Lots of whitebass, smb and a few crappie in the mix. The walleyes are fat fat fat!!!!!!! Also caught my first swimbait fish since El Salto back in April, its a great time to be on the river, Good Luck!

boat to trailer or cover to engine?

joshd wrote:

Looks like a nice day on the water! I hope to get on the river tomorrow.

You think Hudson area or Bluffs area would be better for Walleye tomorrow?

The whole river is good right now. Ive been fishing from the swing bridge to the new bridge and its on fire fish are stacked.

hmm, fall walleye. On the river its a blast, takes a bit of time to find but when you do its light out. I’ve been pounding sand for the last few weeks and for two hours of fishing each time 3-5 for the box, with biggest at 27 and 25. They are feeding heavy!!

I’ve been throwing heavy jigs with plastics with an aggressive rep. I’ve noticed the larger fish are a bit deeper but are just as aggressive. I know the crappies are in there mixed in I see them on SI, caught quite a few weeks prior to this but no size to them. Good Luck!

Made it out for a few hours lastnight, put 5 in the box for 2hours of fishing. All fish were 15-19″, for 20 minutes non stop walleye action again. The smallies were stacked on top of the walleyes with whitebass in between. Good Luck!!

Made it out a few hours last week, 3hours thursday and 2 on friday. The walleye bite is still on, fish ranging from 13-22″. Smallies and whitebass mixed in also it was hott hott hott! Found them in 9fow, every cast for about an hour. Kept 3 each evening, Good Luck!