The walleye fishing has really slowed from what it was weeks ago on the last couple of trips but the quality of fish has been making up for it. The last couple of trips have found me in search of some bigger walleyes. I’ve opted to cast shallow sand and rip rap thru out the day instead of vertical jigging for sauger. This approach has paid off with some larger fish brought to the boat. This is not a numbers approach by any means. If it’s numbers your after……….. vertical jigging saugers should suit your fancy 
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Early and late in the day, right at sun-up and right at sun-down have been peak periods to get in on some faster paced action in 15‘ of water and less. Even though these have been peak times don’t always expect a large flurry of fish. I was out on Saturday afternoon for the evening bite and only managed to boat 2 fish. I blame it on the wind……….it limited my ability to search out active fish instead of being pigeon holed in to a cubby that was fishable 
Dragging ring worms slowly up river in less than 10’ of water during peak times has been best for my boat. Firecracker, pro-blue and oyster shell ring worms have been my 3 best colors. Green/white 1/8oz precision heads have been better for me than plain lead or my go to black color.
Two fairly consistent mid day patterns have emerged for my boat. Hair jigs tipped with a minnow have put a few fish in the boat for me but my best overall casting bait mid day has been a firecracker ring worm on a 1/8oz head. For some reason the fish have really liked this color in the shallow water mid day with no sun. I have yet to spend a sunny day casting for shallower fish. When I do I would expect a color change to be in order. I have also taken a couple of walleye casting a plain purple/white jig tipped with minnow. I have not tried dragging with hair jigs or just plain jig and minnow but they have been working some magic casting mid day when the fish are less aggressive.
The vertical jig bite has been slow from the reports I have received from anglers coming and going out of Everts Resort this past week. From the sound of things it sounds like anglers choosing to vacate the dam area and search down river have been doing much better as of late. Dean From Everts might know what’s going on an where, but I never really had the chance to ask anyone. For more info on this bite swing in to Everts and see Dean, he’ll point you in the right direction!
Spring’s right around the corner! See ya’ on the river 
Wait a minute! Who is posting this as Dustin???
Did you just say “Minnow” on a hair jig???
Yup
. If it works go with it 
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Still catching a lot more fish on my ol stand by plastic but by mixing it up a bit I have been able put more fish in the boat on the last couple of trips.
Just funnin’ with ya!
Great report Dustin
As always I really do enjoy reading your reports along with your pix
Dustin-Can I be your friend
? You have got to be the big fish king down there 
That is some very impressive fish 
Great report Dustin!
“Dragging ring worms slowly up river in less than 10’ of water during peak times has been best for my boat.”
Question for you, I read the term “dragging”. verses say trolling, in quite a few posts. I picture casting out the jig and slowly electric motoring up stream with possibly a snap of the wrist once in a while. Anything more to it than that?
Good fishn to ya!
DS – when you say dragging up stream – how fast is your water speed up river ? Fishaholic – by the way we enjoyed our time on the water with you last April..will do again ..
thanks Dustin, does one of your pictures show you holding a Sauger???? wow.
AmWatson, if you like his pics now, make sure you check out his March reports. tip now- when you DO you BETTER be sitting down. (for real).
Jack..
I am hoping to get a chance to be there in March myself to try for a pig walleye
I remember some of the pics from last Spring, outstanding from what I remember
Dustin loves saugers! He told me so!
Come on up soon, got a couple beauties up here on P2 still with your name tag on them!
Jim,
that’s pretty much it. I guess it would be considered jig troling instead of dragging in this instance. I’m so used to doing the same thing going with the current that I am in the habit of caling it dragging 
Fish, Just depends on what area I am targeting and how swift the current is. If the curerent is heavier I am pulling up river .4mph to .6mph. When is an area with slower moving water I’ll be pulling .06mph to 1mph.
Forget about those beauties Steve
. Are the 18″-20″ saugers going good yet 
Where do you put in and which fishing area should I go to from the landing? Thanks. Hoping to try it tomorrow.
Put in at Everts Resort Directions To Everts Here and talk to Dean, the resort manager. He might just possibly be the nicest and most helpful person you’ll ever run into at a baitshop.
Right behind Steve Vick!
…..and we BOTH have you to thank for that chappy!You just bring out the best in folks!
Dean – how far from your face are you holding that bigen??
I’m really surprised you can even see him behind that fish!
He could hide behind a twig and you’d have a hard time seeing him! 