The White Bass are on a tear! Andy Craig and I were able to find some small river fishing action this afternoon! We were using small jigs like BFT’s H20’s in 1/4 or 1/8 ounce, chartreuse in color, with ringworms or 2" twister tails.
Some of these fish would absolutely inhale the baits, others would barely pick it up. I credit a high quality graphite rod, like the St. Croix avid I was using. Especially with the high winds and light baits, feeling those little ticks, and being able to set the hook right away was a major key to our success. If we didn’t set the hook immediately, they would drop instantly.
I love ice fishing, and as the ice became unsafe today, we were left to explore other options. I can look at this warm weather and feel blessed- I don’t remember the last time I was able to wade a river in the middle of February in 60 degree weather. Normally, I think this would be impossible.
Although the white bass were our target, we caught sheephead, catfish, shad- All fished were released. We didn’t run into Mr. Walleye, but as most of us know, fishing on valentines day, probably isn’t the brightest idea. So we weren’t able to fish after dark. If it stays mild again tomorrow, you can bet where we’ll be! Thanks for the great time Andy!
Good Luck, and we’ll see you on the water!
Another Picture…
We had many nice fish, with the occasional smaller fish thrown in like this one!
Last one-…If you haven’t used these jig heads yet, I give them a 10 out of 10- The bait keeper, simply put is the best, it kept the plastics on better than any other jig I have fished.
Just not fair guys. I love open water warmer air temps fishing with a HUGE passion and I am so homesick for it and then you guys torture me
with all these pics of open water and warmer temps and fish and B-Fish-N [best plastics around] Tackle ringworms and St. Croix rods [the Champion of rods] and yet I will be out ice fishin this weekend in temps in the teens if I’m lucky they are that high and I could go on and on and even whine some more. 
Luke and Andy- thanks for the report and pics but guys you just gotta send me some warmer temps to melt this ice. Lake Zumbro is only 12 1/2 miles from my driveway and tonight my jon boat looked soooooo lonely sitting there in the driveway with a cover on it. And then I thought about how I’m going to mount the Vex on the front of my Lund next to the other locator as it worked so neat this winter for finding the depth of panfish and lowering the jig to that depth so why not in the open water too. 
My mind goes a mile a minute when I see open water fishin pics so you will have to excuse me here for rambling on. 
You sure know how to melt my heart with these open water fishin pic so now if you could just melt the ice for me I’d be a VERY happy camper. 
Thanks, Bill
Do you guys ever work? LOL Great report guys, can’t wait to get on some open water!
Nice report Luke and Andy. I am not sure how you guys find so many fish to keep reporting on, I fished the Waverly dam on the cedar and got skunked saturday. Its been awhile since ive caught a good fish.
Sorry Bill, we will try and catch less fish next time..
–
Here on Saturday it is supposed to get down to
-1…COLD- So tomorrow might be my last open water day-
Nick- The only thing that I would suggest is spend every waking hour on the water(of your free time). I don’t golf, watch sports, or have any other hobbies. I think, sleep, eat, and drink fishing- that is all I do-
Work is slow for me in the winter, I am in construction- the ground is usually frozen in the winter.
Andy works at the UofI- and he is a diehard as well, he puts in a long day at work, and then wants go fishing-
By the way, how was work today Andy..
This was Andy’s spot today, so I have to thank him for our success today-
You guys get them twards the bottom in deeper water or in a little shallower water. I should have gone today like i wanted too, 62 degrees was pretty nice. The waters really clear right now, 2′ to 3′ visability in the cedar.
Nice waders Luke, where did you get those?
I’ll be out tomorrow, maybe I’ll see you guys on the river. Stay dry and good fish
Yo Adam!! Hey, I gotta come in tomorrow and get some more stuff,- you going to be working?
Those are some sharp waders, they have fish magnets on them…
Nope, not tomorrow, I have the day off, and as soon as class is over Im fishing til I cant stand it anymore.
Awesome!! Welcome to the site!! I will probably see you on the water..
Hey Luke, thought about drifting big fatheads under a slip bobber for the stripers, might get a couple walleyes too if thier in there.
This was Andy’s spot today, so I have to thank him for our success today-
[end of quote]
Thats right Luke-WAS Andys spot.
So with -1 degrees coming your way it sounds like you guys can switch from ice fishing to open water fishing and back to ice again with the switch of a switch hey. 
Thanks, Bill
Geez Luke–I am less than an hour north of ya–stop hogging all the fish!
LOL
–Whitey
Luke and Andy,as always another very good fishing report.Nw Iowa is sure alot different from where you guys are located.We still have plenty of ice,around 18″‘s on Spirit right now with some extreme cold air coming in.Were under a winter storm warning tonight/Thursday.
Andy,your boys played another good game last night.Thats 9-3 in the Big Ten.
Ryan Hale
I didn’t even know there was a report up! Sweet.
Ryan, that was a sweet win for the hawks. You’re not one of those ISU fan/Hawkeye haters are you? Gotta root for the hawks against MSU.
Bill, it’s still my spot. Actually, it’s my buddy Tony’s spot as he reminded us of last night.
Andy
Andy, I am sure that Jamie T. will appreciate the free advertising on your hat. Be sure to get all your work done so we can head up early in March.
Good call! TMJ needs to pay up.
The fish are still on the feed, caught quite a few again today- but was a bit on the chilly side…especially waste deep in waders…BRRR!
Going out tonight to try and find Mr. Walleye- before it gets down right nasty cold..
What a life. What a life.
I know,. hec of a job but somebodies gotta do it. 
Go get em. 
Thanks, Bill
luke and i struck out tonight on the walleyes. only snagged a cat and a shad. oh well, we’ll find em.
Hey guys, getting those nice cold water fillets is great. Have you tried fishing any breaklines in slower water up to fairly faster water. Maybe thier all in the deeper cuts and holes but if thier feeding much they might be somewhere around a breakline. Have you tried fishing with a 1/16 ounce jig with a small twister or bucktail jig and a large minnow to slow the fall, it works this time of year worked slow and on a breakline edge.