I had the chance to get out on the river the past few days with my better half. The trolling bite has picked up quite a bit in the past week. We boated good numbers of eater size fish in the past two days. Here’s a picture of a few we kept for the table.
With the river levels on the rise and flow being higher than normal for this time of year, I was in search for cleaner, slower water to fish. I found that the best area’s where the down stream side of outside bends. In these area’s I was pulling cranks on the slack water side of the current seam. Most of our fish came out of 4.4 to 6.5 FOW. Pictured here is a 19.75" that hit a #5 shad rap.
After locating the fish, we decided to try different techniques. We pitched jigs with plastic and bait, pulled live bait and casted cranks to this area with no fish for our efforts. So we went back to trolling. That’s what put all our fish in the boat.
It was good to see Field Staffer Tony Carnes out there working the water. Thanks for taking this picture Tony.
I would like to wish everyone here a very happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend. Take care and hope to see you on the water.
Thanks for the report Tony. With the warmer weather ahead the bite should pick up for alot of species.
What are you getting for water temps down there?
Thanks, Bill
Thanks Bill,
The water temp was 68.6 degrees. Pam and I did have to go thru alot of white bass and drum to get the eye’s. Also the cats where very hunger too. My live well looked like someone had put a school of shad into a blender and dumped them into it. There were so many that I had to get the air compressor and blow my discharge line out.
Like you said, the bite is just going to get better.
All I have to say is,start shallow and as the sun gets higher go deeper.
One important detail I left out in my report was that these baits had to be in constant contact with the bottom to trigger a bite. I hope this helps some of you out.
Tony:
I keep saying I’m gonna head to the Quad cities one of these days and wet a line. Its high time I make good on my promises.
The vacation bank is full right now, so I am thinking of making it a go sometime this week. If I can make it work, I like to head out during a week day-less amateurs on the water. 
If I come down, I’ll give you a holler. What ramps do you recommend for a newbie down your way? Also, were there any color preferences?
Hey Joe,
Davenport Municipal Ramp located at the end of Marquette St. is by far one of the best launches around. It’s wide enough for two boats and is out of the current with docks on both sides.
The way it looks now, I will probable have next week off. Call me when you decide what day you are coming down.
Just about all patterns in the #5 shap rap produced fish. It’s hard to say which one was better than the others.
Tony,
I’m glad to hear you are putting fish in the boat! The bite on 14 has been very tough for me for the last few weeks. Cannot put together any kind of consistent pattern. The quality of fish I’ve been finding has been above average, with a majority of my fish being in the 20-25″ range, the rest seem to be in the 12-14″ range. Can’t find any fish for momma to eat!!!
I see the flow is starting to drop, so I am anticipating a solid improvement in the coming weeks.
John
Great report Tony
, I have to do the same with the white bass here also. 10 white bass then a walleye. One thing these white bass are huge this year and fun to catch. 
Thanks Jeff,
Pam and I caught some really nice white bass. I would say that 8 out of every ten fish was a bass, and good size one’s at that. Pam got the biggest @ 3lbs.
Hey John,
We will have to get together here soon and fish up your way. The flow is still up some, but you’ll have that at this time of year. All we need is a week of stable river levels and the fishing should just get better. Talk to you later.