This past week of fishing after the cold snap that we had, has left us with a little more inconsistent results than we had in week’s prior. Water temps dropped nearly 10 degrees in just a couple of days and the water levels are still up a bit from last week’s “Rain/Snow Storm of the Century” HA HA! Having said that, the fish have been moving around a bit more lately for more favorable grounds.
For the past 3-4 trips, I have seen a lowlight bite developing more and more with water clarity reaching 20+ inches.. Overcast days or morning and evening on the sunny days have proven better hands down for my boat. The spots that were producing for me a week ago are now hit harder with more current and the numbers of fish appear to have slid back off these spots. Still a few stragglers hanging around these areas, but I have done better falling back and concentrating on shoreline currents breaks and less swift dams for better results. With plenty of persistence, you can muster up a fairly good day of nice walleyes.
My best presentation going has been pitching lighter 3/16th oz BFT Precision Jig heads with YUM’s 4” ribworms in the cotton candy, Ozark smoke, and a orange iridescent (no longer available). The Croaker Tails have consistently been a good big fish bait for me the past couple trips, but overall numbers have been off compared to what the ribworms have been delivering.
Overall, the bite is off a bit right now. Still catching fish, but patience and persistence is what I have been tasked to do to get these fish to go consistently. The tally for my all day adventures have been about 16-25 fish per day. Biggest this week was a nice 8-3/4# beauty! The run of the mill size of the fish the past several trips have been a nice 20”-24” size class which makes the day all that more enjoyable.
I would personally like to wish everyone here at IDA a happy and safe Turkey day and hope to see you out on the water over the holiday weekend!
What kind of line are you using on your spinning rods. Do you go with Fluorocarbon or Fireline, or something else?
Mack,
RIght now I am getting by with 8/3 high vis braid. As freezing temps come upon us, I switch to either High vis mono 6# or Silver Thread AN40 6# mono to slow down the ice build up on the eyelids.
What’s with this?!? Glad to see you are still at them!
Thanks again for the trip!
ted
Great report Steve!
Just stay on them until I get there next week!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the report and pics Steve. Looks like you sneaked in another trip to the river before the cold front hits.
40s next week though maybe. 
Very nice fish Bud. 
Thanks, Bill
Nice fish “way cool Steve”
. I like the one of you and Bailey. Looks like the dog wants a piece of that fish 
.
When you going to get me back up there………..
? I would hate to invite myself but i’m sure you won’t mind 
Steve,
Great report! Those are some nice looking fish.
“I have done better falling back and concentrating on shoreline currents breaks … ” Higher water = shoreline current breaks, are you particularly looking for current breaks adjacent to wing dams?
“This past week of fishing after the cold snap that we had, has left us with a little more inconsistent results than we had in week’s prior.” I was wondering about the big drop in water temps. I’m guessing that any kind of dramatic change like that is going to put the brakes on a good bite, but in addition to the dramatic change, if I’ve been learning my IDA lessons right, the deep freeze put a big hurt on the food source. Our lures are competing with an abundant amount of dying shad that is extremely easy pickings for the wallys right now. Perhaps a presentation that causes a reaction strike is in order? Perhaps we can expect the bite to improve after the feed feast is over.
For years I’ve used fireline and more recently their hi-vis pink,
but have had some very bad luck with knots breaking with the least amount of pressure. I switched to Power Pro, but have had some bad luck with line twist (this could be my spooling technique more than line problem). I got an order in now for some Stren Hi-Vis gold braided line, so I’ll find out how that it is. You mentioned you like to use a braided line 8-3. What brand in particular are you using?
Again, great reports Steve! Keep em coming!
Happy Turkey day to everyone!
Good Fishn to Ya,
Jim K
Steve,
.
What landings are/were you getting into.
Also, where the h#@% is the Grey Cloud Trail landing?
I show the landing on three maps, but could not locate it on Saturday morning. She was froze up regardless
Jim,
Since Steve seems to be on a Thanksgiving holiday, I’ll answer that I’m prettys ure he uses Fireline, which he turned me onto. I’m a big fan of the stuff and have never had any knot/breakage probelms. I use the improved clinch knot and have also used the palomar knot.
Also, the 494 landing was open yesterday. I have no idea how to get to the Grey Cloud Trail landing.
John
Jim,
Thanks for the kinds words! Glad you enjoy the reports.
What I meant to say was….”During higher water conditions, I will either fall back on the 3rd or 4th wingdam or search out shoreline current break.” Thsi time of year these shoreline current breaks are small areas that are adjacent to the main channel that offer the fish some slower water, ambush food area, deeper water security closeby.
Here is a Water level control site for reading water levels for different pools. We are currently at 7600 cfd for flow(cubic feet per second) A normal range for the river this time of year is 4000-7000 cfs. Obviously this is effected easily by mother nature. When the flow is up around 10,000 cfs, I start targeting shorelines as a mix through the day as well as downriver dams.
You hit it on the head IMO Jim! I suspect its a combination of too cold too quick as well as the feed bag on the last remaining shad. Once things stabilize a bit, the bite should improve again real soon.
Yep….Fireline is what I have been using. ITs keeps me and my customers out of the rocks a little more which gives everyone less downtime. Thanks John!
This is the time of year that I bring mono rods along as well just in case I am faced with freezing temps.
Jim, I hope this helps you some!
I have never used that ramp….but I am aware of it where its at on the map. I tend to use the Lions Levee Park access when I am exclusively targeting spots south. THis access will start freezing up pretty soon.
What a gorgeous afternoon/evening yesterday!
It use to be about 1/2 mile down past the little bridge on the left side of road. A single lane gravel road took you down to the ramp and a big parking area. I liked the ramp because it provided quick access to the backwaters down around there. However, you had to be careful because the waters around the ramp were an old stump field.
I tried to use it in the summer of ’04 but there was a big mound of dirt blocking the entrance to the gravel road. I have no idea who closed it or why it was closed.
Boone
I think I found the road that you are discribing.
It had a galvanized ag gate that was open. It appeared to be private property, so I stayed out. This has to be the road to which you are refering.
Yes, I’m sure you found the place that I’m referring to. I know it use to have a gate. There also use to be a ramp sign at the entrance. It was still pretty dark when I was trying to find the ramp so I couldn’t see if the signs are still there or even if the gate was there.
Did it appear that you could drive down the gravel road? If you could, maybe the ramp is still there. I’ll have to check it out some time.
Boone
It was open to driving, but like I said, it though it might be private.
I may have pushed the investigation a little harder if the water had not been frozen!