High water has its perks!That is what I have discovered through the past few years here on the upper end of pool #4! Although we have transformed from spring chaos of hundreds of boats to less than a handfull of fisherman, the post spawn bite is progressing nicely! The nice weather has really kicked the bite in gear.These fish were caught on my first solo handlining excursion and were caught in very close proximity to the resort…not a secret spot! F9 Rapalas in clown & orange were my best producers at approx .5 mph, right on the current seam. This PB handline fish a mid 20 something eye was quite a handfull for me as compared to the eater sized saugers I was retrieving.Good #s of fish were willing to bite for me and shortened my learning curve with the handlining mechanics in short order.If anyone has an interest in experimenting with the handline gear, you are more than welcome to take mine out for a test drive.No cookies required!LOL!
It is always fun for me to learn something new and have been very fortunate to have some very good mentors share info on this unique method.Thanks to all of you. As much as I love to pitch jigs,there are just some times it doesn’t produce,always good to have a plan “B” in your game plan.
Our spring high water came a bit later than normal this year.With that, the predictable patterns have been a bit delayed from the norm of the historic calender.The water clarity is remarkably clear for the stage & flow that we are experiencing. At present, there are so many effective presentations to use and almost all of them are putting fish in the boat.Which one is the best? The one that works for you!
Today I put fish in the boat handlining,longlining,leadcore,vertical plastic & hairjigs,and finally livebait rigging.It does pay somedays to be versatile in what the fish want….today it didnt matter,everything worked!My goal today was to check out several locations and presentations so that I might be able to point some of our resort guests in the right direction. I was rewarded with numerous saugers,walleyes,smallies,lg mouth,striper,pike and the infamous sheephead! Variety does keep your day interesting!
The whitebass bite is going very well also. For those who dont like crowds and looking for some action for the kids or family that bite is a green light!
In closing,this spring was the best quality of fish I have ever seen weight wise and I really look for the trolling bite to be exceptional this year ! To all of you getting ready for your openers, be safe and have a great time ! I look forward to seeing you on the water and hope to take or see a picture of your new personal best fish!
Congrats on that handline fish Dean! Always fun to learn something new! I got a few myself this year with Jami handlining.
Tonight was an awesome night on upper Pool 3/Croix as well! I got a nice 26″ surprise, and a bunch of nice eaters for the Big D fish fry Friday!
Jami is working on a report…
We even saw a LOT of fish caught on bobbers tonight!!!
See ya Thursday, I am stopping down to fill up on things I need for the opener!
I love my handline too..
Thanks Dean for all your help with the hand lineing last week you got me hooked on it too. Margie and I also had a blast doing it and Mike V got his best river fish ever a 30.5 walleye on a well knowen jig spot hand lineing. Thanks again.
My honor & glad it worked for you. Now if you can only find the other one I sold you.
BTW…the spot is still full of fish.
What I find interesting is that the bite seems to be better…or at the very least just as good as it was earlier this spring, and this evening we saw 3 boats out fishing.
I think people like fishing crowds.
I think everyone is getting ready for opener……I’m with Dustin that the river has much less fishing pressure after this weekend opens up……now if we could get them dang cigar boat to head up to Minnetonka it would be really nice……
Nice report Dean
Whatsa
Nice fish Dean.
Looks like good fishin rarely takes a break on P4!
Boog
Good to see you made it out Dean. With opener in Minnesota this weekend the river will start to calm down and us river rats can get serious about the post spawners
It won’t be long now till the dragging bite gets crazy and we can put those BfishN dragging jigs to work! You do have plenty in stock—don’t you?
Great job on the handlining and sharing the locations.
Hmmmm…..
No cookies needed?
Great report,Pool 4 never ceases to amaze!
Awesome fish Dean
Nice fish Dean!
Nice job Dean! I’m dying to get back up there.
Good report Dean
Great report once again sir! Other than the shad explosion in early fall I don’t know why anyone would want to fish anywhere else, other than to have some variety.
(Ooh! Icon guys didn’t wipe out my text.) 
dd
Great fish, i can’t wait till saturday. Gonna be playing bumper boats on Mille Lacs. Just follow the warrior thats catching the fish
Great report Dean! Thanks, see you soon
Awesome report, Dean!!!
Dean,
No one can fish the river quite like you 
or can they ? lenny ??
Your the man.
Thanks for the report Dean. Nice fish. Great to see you getting a chance to get out.
Thanks, Bill
Dean,
Sounds like a great variety of fish and not too much of a crowd.
Thanks for the update.
Jack.