Waters up! Well… not exactly high water by Mississippi River standards, but a pretty swift jump from last weekend. Despite the jump in water levels and increased flow, water temperature has held consistent and fish continue to feed. The best (and most humbling) part of river fishing is adapting to change and staying on the bite – one day you’ve got em’ figured out and the next they’re gone. While this is frustrating at times, it keeps us on our toes and ultimately betters us as anglers.
Earlier in the week and last weekend wingdams played a big role in our fish catching success. Picking a series of dams and starting about 3 or 4 down in that series presented about the perfect flow, however with this recent rise in flow, we’re back to fishing the current breaks, side cuts, and back waters.
Baits and presentation vary each trip depending on location and flow but variety seems like the key to success. Crankbaits, hairjigs, and Draggin’ Jigs have all been putting fish it the boat. It’s amazing how you can beat a spot to death with crankbaits and your first cast with a hairjig will yield a nice fish.
Similar to my last report, Storm Smash Shads are still our top producing crankbait while trolling. We’re also seeing some good action on Rapala Jointed Shad Raps and anticipate they will get even better as temps rise. Crankin’ Raps were very hot earlier in the week and accounted for many of our big fish while casting. Inconsistent and mildly erratic retrieves have also gotten a positive response. It seems like we’ve caught more fish boat side this year than in the past and dropping the bait back from time to time helps trigger those fish while they follow and stalk the bait.
Hairjigs and Draggin’ Jigs have both been great for follow-up situations and on those high percentage spots you know hold fish that are turning their nose to a crank. Jimmy D Walleye Weenies in chartreuse have been my go-to hairjig fooling many finicky walleyes. We’ve also been using B Fish N’ Tackle Draggin’ Jig on our trolling runs – troll up with a Smash Shad, drag down with a Draggin’ Jig n’ leech.
If I’ve learned anything in the last few weeks, it’s that walleyes don’t always hang out in dead slack water and that the flow at the top of the river isn’t necessarily an accurate representation of the flow at the bottom of the river.
Good luck and be careful out there – with the higher water, some debris is still coming down. I’ve walloped underwater objects 3 times in the last couple weeks, jarring me forward in the boat (an eye opener for me). Wear that lifejacket and hook up the tether cord – We’ll see ya out there.
-Pete
Pete
You’re into some wonderful fish of late. When I was out on Pepin on Friday I became very aware of the fact that I had been away from the river for far too long. I’m going to make a point to spend more time fishing it this summer. Particularly down on pool 2… given that it is a world-class fishery less than 20 minutes from my front door.
Keep those reports coming!
Great report and nice fish
Great report Pete. Picked up a few smash shads this week and they are fantastic. Cast great. Run straight. Did end up with one that was running off to the side by the end of the day yesterday. It had taken a pretty good beating from lots of hungry walleyes.
Good to see you guys out there again. Was sitting along side that shoreline chuckling watching you and your dad coming down the channel busting those waves. I was a little wet myself having just gone though there.
Good seeing you too, Mike. I think I’m a few inches shorter after getting beat up by those waves. Definitely a day I should have left my little boat at home and brought out the Ranger.
Here are a few pictures from the last few days – you know it’s a great weekend of fishing when your dog smells like walleye slime – each walleye gets a lick!
Pete
Tough day for me today Pete. Finished up late afternoon with about a dozen walleyes for the day. Everything but one on cranks. Trolling or casting.
Did manage to find a dozen morel mushrooms on a little hike at noon. That made the day feel a lot better. Kinda strange bringing something home from pool 2 to eat.
Those Smash Shads are the real deal Pete. The walleyes love them. Had a few over the weekend where they sucked the entire crank bait in. The #7 size was working well on some deeper rocks. Trolling the #6 was a hit. The blue colors are both good but that red Smash shad is still the favorite of mine.
Nice report. I being I live super close I like to fish it. I am new and not so good about the giant fishery we have right here so these reports and forums help. Thank you
Nice report and awesome walleyes Pete!
Couldn’t agree more on your assessment regarding how dynamic the bite really is. It forces you to be a more well-rounded angler IMO, constantly needing to adapt to current conditions. It seems like you’re doing just that, and are keeping us informed the whole way. Thanks for the info Pete!
Joel
Tough day or not Mike I still would have much rather been out there with you instead of digging through closets and realizing how much cr@p a person can accumulate over the years
Keep up the great reports Pete!
Nice reports! I have been off the river for a couple of weeks with work and the truck in the shop – no way to pull the boat. Although a buddy finally came over and we went to Lake Owasso and was able to mark some walleyes, but only land one. But, I am still destined to master that lake since it is so close and contains a lot of eyes. However, the lake bite just hasnt happened yet in my opinion.
The river on the other hand, I am excited to get back down there and learn some new areas.
Thanks for the report Pete and it sounds like the new storm smash shads are working well for you.
Rapala does it again! 
Very nice fish Pete