Fishing has been slow for the most part in the Rock River mainly because of the cool mornings and hot afternoons. In the morning it could be 62 and in the afternoons it could be 80. When we get steady temp in the low 60’s look out. Pull out some Nuckle ball jigs by Fin-Tech Tackle Co. and 4" ringworm by "B"FISH"N" Tackle Co. and hang on to your rods. With the full moon in full swing Lake Koshkonong has turned on with the trolling bite. Check out the rest of my report to see how I caught this nice northern pike.
Vertical jigging has been slow in the river for walleyes so on Sunday I decided to go out trolling on Lake Koshkonong with water temps still in the 70’s. With the full moon in full swing I new the sunset bite would be best. I went to one of my favorite spots and started trolling JSR-5 in the firetiger color and GSR-5 20′ behind the boat on planner boards at speeds 2.5 to 3.0 were working for me the best at water temps at the 70’s to catch nice pike like in the first photo.
Pike wasn’t the only fish I caught this afternoon because walleyes were on an a bitting frenzy also. Most walleyes were small but manage to get some nice keepers for the frying pan. My hands were full catching fish with most under size. Sometimes two boards were popping at the same time. My buddy Derek was pitching jigs close to the same area and seeing me work to get fish in the boat drove him crazy and soon after he was trolling catching fish.
When the trolling bite went slow I would pitch jigs from Fin-Tech Tackle Co.in the silver lux and green glow 1/8oz with half of night crawler to catch more walleyes on rock piles. But just before dark I trolled again to catch another nice pike in the second photo on the left. For you locals that are looking for the jigs by Fin-Tech check out Barths True Value Hardware store in Fort Atkinsion and while your there check out the banner from in-depthanging.com.
All PHOTOS CAN BE CLICKED ON FOR LARGER VIEW
Okay, Okay, Jeff was right about the trolling bite. After watching him slam fish I took his advice from some time ago on lures and speeds although I don’t troll with boards I was able to consistly pull in fish. Overall a great evening on the water watching and learning from Jeff and catching some fish finally
. I brought home two eaters 
and lost one that felt nice. Looking forward to other outings and the better fishing to come.
Derek
Awesome report as usual Jeff! Been having pretty good success with the knuckleballs as well! Been pitching them at Hwy 59 bridge pilings tipped with a minnow after dark. I’ll be out trolling on Wednesday weather cooperating and it will probably be my last trip to Kosh for a few weeks due to upcoming trophy fishing on Erie! Do you always troll such a short line on planers? Ive been doing long lines (as you know
) but been losing fish, maybe thats why?
Thanks Paul and Derek. As far as short line off planner boards, I do what the depth chart tell me for the lure size. The lures I use to get 5′ down is 20′ back. I’m bumping the bottom all the time, at sometimes I’ll even get snaged up on rocks. At the rock pile Sunday I must of picked up at least 300 yard of line and a silver minnow and walleye diver. Thank god it didn’t get caught in the motor.
I have tried trolling with boards but I didn’t like the brand I was using so I went back to long lining it. I was trolling ~70 feet back using shallow shad raps in firetiger. I was also ticking the bottom. I may try a different brand of boards next year but I really like knowing what the lure is doing by watching the rod tip. Sometimes during the trip out on Sunday I knew when I would get the next fish by watching the depth finder and what the lure was doing.
Derek
Good morning Jeff!
I’m looking to get out sunday.
Great report as usual! I haven’t been out in a while so it is good to hear the eyes are coming back on. Rose and I have been dying to get out on the water. Work has been crazy. So now this cold weather is coming in, golfers should start slowing down. I way over due for a fresh walleye dinner!!!
Chris and I are heading to Texas first week in November. We are going to the International Chili Championship Cookoff in Terlingua. I was lucky enough to take the state championship at Chilimania this year so we have an invitation to go there.
We are having a golf outing at the club on Oct 17th to raise some funds to get us there. Hope to see you there! I’ll buy you a couple of scotchs 
See you later Bud!
PS. Oct 17 golf outing, keep me posted on that.
Oh….by the way, Keith’s Chili RULES! Good luck in Texas! Hopefully Chris wont miss the trophy eyes on Lake Erie too much..ha ha!
Fishin’, golf and Chili…….Three great wonders of the world…
Dave you been fishing lately?
Thanks for the vote on the chili Carpking! I can’t believe Chris cancelled his trip to go to Texas with me! He is a good Bro!
We are really looking forward to the trip. 3200 miles round trip though. Not looking forward to all that driving! 
You going to try to make the outing on the 17th? It should be a ball! We are going to do 9 holes starting at 9am and then get everyone in to watch the game and eat some free food (chili, chili dogs, brats, potato salad and chips.) raffles and door prizes too! should be a blast! hope to see ya there! 
Cant make it the 17th, will still be at Erie…maybe you guys should sneak over for a day!
The sauger bite is on
, not at peak 
just starting 
the next three weeks should be awesome. Water temps are from 59 to 57 degrees. When it hits low 50’s get the Zone’R’s and ringworms out. 
Another sauger from today. All caught vertical jigging with 3/8oz Zone’R’s jigs tipped with med fathead. Water depth were from 6’to 8′ in hard rocky bottom.
White bass are still on a biting frenzy also. 1/8oz jigs with small fathead have been working well.
Glad to see ya still catching fish. Hopefully I can sneak out this week after work to get a couple for the pan.
Derek