The bite was much better than I expected. While getting about 3/4" of rain yesterday, I thought that the river was going to be a little dirty. Pam and I headed out about 6am. this morning to hit one of our favorite spots. When we got there my feelings were right. Lots of grass and garbage floating down. So we went in search of cleaner water and boy did it pay off. Here’s me holding a 28" beauty. Pam got this one on a #7 shad rap.
We found some good water about 10 miles down river from Sunset Marina. We started to troll #5 and #7 shad raps just below an inside bend on the Illinois side of the river. Soon as we got our lines out it didn’t take long for our first double. Pam put a 23"er in and I had a 16"er. Not bad for the first 5 minutes of fishing. We made this pass two more times with 4 more legal fish coming to the boat. Here I am with the 23" that Pam landed.(she does’nt like touching fish).
All in all we landed 13 fish. Eight legals, 3 shorts and 2 slot fish. Not to bad for 3.5 hours on the river. All of our fish came in 5 to 9 FOW. Best pattern was #7 Blue Shad Raps. All fish caught today were released.
If you do decide to get out there. Be very careful, there is alot of debris on the surface and just below it. Hope to see you all out there.
P.S. Pam caught about 80% of the fish. 
Nice report Tony, sounds like time well spent
Good pics
Been there – done that
dave
Way to go Tony!!
Looks like the weather will hold up most of the time through early next week, with periods of scattered storms, with generally dry and not so windy periods in between. There wont be any increase in flow from the rains really, though look for a 1/2 foot jump on the Rock in the next day. I might be enough to get some flatheads moving.
Andy
Thanks Dave,
It was time well spent out there today. I’m just glad that I had Pam out there with me.
Hey Andy,
What part of the Rock do you fish? I would think that you would be fishing the Wapsi. I just talked to a friend and he told me the flatheads are biting pretty good by Alan’s Grove (North Channel). Let me know if you wanna go out and I’ll get the 14’er ready.
Nice Fish buddy!!!!
way to go bud
For you guys that don’t fish pool 16 ,fishing is tough right now. Tony puts in the time on the water,works hard and is a great stick and it pays off.
Thanks for the kind words Tony. We have to get out here soon.
By the way, I did make a pass through the area that we both fish and pulled up a couple cranks. Would this be one of yours? It sure has seen some fish by the lookings of it.
Tony,those are some really nice fish.I’ve been hearing alot about inside bends lately,is there any particular bottom composition or structure like the first drop along an inside bend or sand and gravel bottom on the inside bend or an inside bend with the channel on the opposite side of the river.Or are all the inside bends worth a shot with the faster current right now? And what speed were you trolling at? Rick,
Hey Rick,
The inside bend that I was fishing had a current seam with lots of wood and a soft bottom. This spot looked more like a good catfish spot than anything else. The most productive speeds were between 1.9 and 2.2mph (gps). I hope this helps you out.
I take it you were probably long line trolling beings you were only fishing in 7-9 ft. of water? I’m supposed to be going fishing with John up on pool 14 on Monday, {WEATHER PERMITTING} Thanks, Rick,
We were long lining and pulling lead core as well. The larger fish came off the lead. Running the lead through this area was better because there was less line out and was easier to control. Next time I fish this area I’m going to pull three ways thru it.
I know you will have a good time with John. He knows that Pool very well.
Nice fish, keep the great reports coming Tony.
Oh man Tony! Now you are really puttin’ the pressure on me! That was a great report, and great pics! You’ll have to get one of those rigs like Jeff has so Pam can hold the fish without touching them
.
Rick, I cannot promise results like Tony has here, but hopefully we will get into some nice fish! Heading out after work tonight, weather permitting, for a quick search. Hope to have some solid plan by Monday for a good day on the water!
John
Nice looking fish Tony…..I mean Pam!
Thanks Jeff!
What pressure John? Now that Pam’s caught a big one, the pressure is really on me to keep putting her on them.
Oh well. If it keeps her happy it’s well worth it. 
Steve,
Pam says thank you very much.