My springtime fishing on the river is coming to an end as I continue up on Mille Lacs Lake for the next several months. As every year the bite on Pool 2 continues to get better and better this time of year for catching active and aggressive walleyes. Several techniques have proven to be productive on the last couple of outings this past weekend. Why I leave the river now is beyond me… I guess it’s the change of pace and scenery that keeps me excited as I am about fishing! Change does a body good.
The best way to find fish right now in the middle of Pool 2 for my boat is to put the crank baits on and cover water. We have been targeting current break areas with depths from 4-8 foot of water everyday out this past weekend and been successful thus far. In the morning hours the troll speed has been around 1.4 mph (upcurrent) and speeding up substantially to 2.5mph by midday. Seems the fish want a bit more of an aggressive look within the heat of the day. My best areas are shorelines that contain several current breaks within a long stretch. Trolling the new jointed Grappler Shads accounted for more of the big fish this past weekend than any other crankbait that we ran. This crankbait runs about 2 feet deeper than a number 5 Rap and has a very aggressive action.
By pitching these more pronounced areas with jigs first, you will find that you may get bit within a couple casts. These fish are pretty aggressive and patrol these areas with the feedbag on. 15-20 minutes is about all I spend on an area. JimmyD’s weenie hair jigs have still been my main tool for catching fish out of these current breaks. 3/16th-3/8thoz has been my standard sizes for these areas. I opt for the heavier jigs if the breaks are deeper than10 foot or have some substantial swirling current. Bright chartreuse is my main confidence color for this time of year however we caught fish on just about all colors this past Sunday and Monday.
The water levels and current speeds appear to be back on the rise once again with recent rainfalls. Clarity is good in the main channel at 6-8 inches. This may change with the river conditions changing. This bite that is taking place right now on Pool 2 will continue for the next several weeks if mother nature continues to dump more and more rain. I have not spent anytime on the wingdams this past 7 days or so. From the looks of things, the current speeds are a bit brisk to fish them effectively. There are a few wingdams that appear to be fishable right now, but I have not spent anytime on them due to the success we have been having on the current breaks! Until then, good luck to all as I head north bound for the next couple of months. Wish me luck! If anyone wants to catch some big walleyes right here in the metro, now is the time on Pool 2!
Here is a neat shot of a release of a nice 28″ plus fish from Monday’s trip!
Here is another shot of a nice walleye that absolutely clobbered a Chartruese Jimmy D weenie jig. These are definately not kidding around when they want to eat this time of year!
Here is a shot of a nice 26″ fish that came to the boat on Saturday.
Here is one of many bonus fish that came to the boat on Monday morning. This was one of 4 that actually made it all the way to the boat. Somehow the cranks came unbuttoned right at the boatside on the other 3 cats!! MEEEEEOOOWW!
Great report as usual Steve. Just one question for ya’. I have not seen these new jointed Grappler Shads. I’ve been to lurenets website, but they don’t have them on there. Are they available in stores yet?
Thanks.
Tony,
Thanks for the nice words!
As for the Grapplers, I come to find that they are availible to dealers now, but they are really new. I happen to have the early prototype models. They should be availible by website soon as well as the big chain retail stores. I will let you know when I hear more. I should be getting an update in the next day or so.
Here is a number of colors provided with each model;
CD15= 24 colors
CD14= 14 colors
CDJ= 16 colors (jointed)
Here are some of the colors that are provided.
CD15 Grappler Shad colors
CD14 Grappler Shad colors
Thanks so much Steve. I do really appreciate all your help. I’m a big fan of CC. products.
Tony, check out Gander Mountain in Bettendorf as they may have them. The Gander in Cedar Rapids has them right now. I was going to pick up a few as I liked the Grappler Shad JR and had good luck with them.
Great report as usual Steve. Your reports on Pool 2 are the reason I started fishing Pool 2 for the first time this year, I appreciate all the tips and great info. Good luck up on Mille Lacs, I’ll be heading there soon myself.
Derek W.
I’m pretty sure I saw them in Gander MT. Fridley and Forest Lake also for you Northern city boys and girls!
It was a pleasure finally meeting you and getting out on the water Sat. Steve. I learned a lot about how to fish the river, had a blast catching some real nice fish and appreciated all the guidance on areas to fish as well as the proper techniques to use. My dad and bro had a great time as well and both commented on your professionalism and knowledge of the river. I’m hoping to get out this weekend and use some of those skills to pick up some fish on my own. (I’ll do my best not Frank your holes)
As a wise man in a Ranger once said, “Put the coals to ‘er!”
Thanks Again,
Brian
Great report Steve, looks like them eyes are really biting.
Thats a great saying isn’t it?
Its amazing the veratility it has!!
Good fishing with your brother and father last week Brian. Hope you have some luck out there, and by all means “Frank the holes!”
I am up on Mille Lacs right now, so you will have to keep me posted on your findings and results! That big fish is right out there waiting for you where we went that day!
Good luck.
Just a little update on the jointed Grappler Shads that I was referring to in my latest report.
They are availible in most all Gander Mountain stores. Also be availible online at http://www.lurenet.com after July 1st.
If anyone has any questions of there availibility or concerns with these lures, I would be happy to take the question personally to the proper personel.
There is a fair selection of them at Gander in lakeville. Just picked up a couple today. They look identical to jointed shad raps. Hope they work as well. They are a buck cheaper than shad raps also.
Steve did you mention somewhere what colors have been working last week. I seem to stick to whites, chartruse and firetiger. Any others I might want to try out.
Tell them boys a Pradco to keep up the good work on the bombers also. Picked up a varity of 5, 6, and 7 A bombers today from gander. 15 lures came to $30.
Sorry guys. The bin at the lake ville store is pretty well picked over. The colors where the same ones I listed above. 