Pool 8 is starting to shape up nicely after the muddy waters we have had to deal with the past few weeks. A trip was made after work tonight and what a treat it was to see good water clarity plus find the bite for game fish on the up and up.
Bass and Northern pike are teaming in areas with thick mats of cabbage just off to the sides of current and also taking cover under thick slop making weed less lures the only way to go. A black SPRO being popped across the top of the thickest of weeds and slop was more than the Pike or Bass could resist while lying in the cover.
Keeping an eye on the water would give away any predator near by. It was easy to detect weed/slop movement from a large fish or at times a boil and leaping bait fish. A quick pitch to the area would produce heart pounding slams as the fish would fly through the thick debris to inhaul my frog 
This is getting addicting……thanks Blue Fleck 
The water being covered was only 1.5 – 3 feet deep with a surface temperature of 82 degrees. The areas fished were loaded with tons of minnows and small gills, which I’m sure was the main attraction for the feeding esox and green fish.
It was great to see the mighty Mississippi calming back down in the La Crosse area. The Clark’s thoughts and prayers are with all of those that have experienced the devastation this river can bring.
Good luck fishing people 
Nice report Bret!
Not bad for a hard water guy… 
Great news Bret!
)
Glad you got out, I know it’s been a tough wait for ya.
Nice bass and pike too! (Will we be seeing you wearing a Ranger hat in the future
Thanks for the great report!
I was wondering when we were gonna read some reports from you Bret.
Glad to hear the river has settled down. I think we’ve all had enough of high, muddy water for this year.
Boog
Great report Bret! Nice fish too.
I’ve been wondering too, but I sure didn’t figure it would be on baitfish.
Nice report Bret!!
Nice bass Bret! Thanks for the report!
I thought you ice guys were worse then us walleye guys at casting!
Nice fish and report Bret!
Thanks Brad
One thing for sure, the weather is a lot more pleasant during the winter months
No ranger hat in the future for this guy Jeff. Right now with the wife having a job then not having a job it is all I can do to keep gas in the floater I do own
Maybe a couple new bait casters though. Blue can attest….the one I have now gets the job done but I purchased on the same day Jesus turned the water into wine 
Abe, get my buddy Michael out there….you guys will have a blast!
I’m glad to see the river settle down also Joel. Now I hope it just keeps shaping up for drifting channel cats
Rob, even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then
Thank you everyone for taking the time to read and respond. I must also thank Blue Fleck for rekindling the casting flame for bass. After the last trip out with the master it jarred something loose in my head (left myself wide open here) reminding me of how much fun it can be pitching baits. I do still however take the extra time to make sure my hands are good and clean after handling the green fish
Great report Bret! When are the cat’s going to be biting?
The question isn’t when the Cats will bite but when will I be able to get my
on the water to play in the dark 
I have also been leery of boating around at night with the water conditions we have had, but that is changing for the better now 
There has been some great cats being posted in the Cat forum for some time now. My hats off to these guys
As far as my favorite technique (drifting) for channel cats, it isn’t that far off. I like it when the water temperature on the main channel is in the 80’s.
The question isn’t when the Cats will bite but when will I be able to get my
on the water to play in the dark 
I have also been leery of boating around at night with the water conditions we have had, but that is changing for the better now 
There has been some great cats being posted in the Cat forum for some time now. My hats off to these guys
As far as my favorite technique (drifting) for channel cats, it isn’t that far off. I like it when the water temperature on the main channel is in the 80’s.
It has been fun for me staying versatile this year and targeting different species of fish on a bite. I guess you could say I have been reverting back to my childhood
Good to hear my old home waters are fishable again !
nice report Bret, just wondering, do those bass fillet just like walleye? lol–John
That I couldn’t tell ya
But in all honesty, the Northern sure made awesome pour mans lobster