Mississippi river, pool 10 bass and more

With water temps spiking into the mid to upper fifties this past week end the blade baits and 3 way set ups were placed to the back of the storage boxes while being replaced with spinner baits, plastics and other assorted bass and pike baits.

Setting up in a new location with our camper at River of Lakes resort, south of Prairie Du Chein, Wisc. injected a fresh batch of enthusiasm for the clan. Friday was, without a doubt, the longest work day of the year.

Leaving the Tuffy behind, the flat bottom was pulled from storage to help out with the task of navigating the shallow back bays. The 25 hp.Merc started instantly and quickly two boys and myself were off to knock the rust off of our long casting skills.

Hitting our familiar sloughs the bass weren’t cooperating until getting closer to the farthest back reaches of the warmest waters. Most fish were caught very shallow with weeds and lumber being used for cover. White and chartreuse, single colorados were the boys bait of choice.

The improvement in casting skills the boys have made the last few years has been a pure joy to witness. A little competion from an 11 yr.old brother remarkably can hone a nine year olds hucking ability. Not just the casting either, I can see Cams ability in recognizing cover is improving while also waiting for certain angles before casting. Cool stuff!

Along with the shallow bite, there is another alternate pattern this time of year that should never be overlooked. A location that will not only school up the bass in huge numbers but attract post spawn walleyes and saugers as well.

Creeks!

This is the time of spring that minnows start to congregate in the cleaner, warmer outlets. Hungry fish await!

Like stated, pre spawn bass and post spawn walleyes and saugers will be stuffing their bellies on the same school of bait fish. The best part, doesn’t matter what you select for baits. Rattle traps, cranks, any type of spinners and plastics of course. With the clean water, natural colors are the first to get tied on.

While fishing with the boys and niece on Saturday a secret plan was being laid out in my mind.

Waking to the first hint of light Sunday morning and being very sneaky – quiet as to not wake the troops, my other boy, Max the lab, and myself jumped in the lowe and headed out.

Anchoring slightly above an outlet and working the new color ringworm, gold cracker- chart. tail on an 1\8oz. gold draggin jig produced instant results. Swimming the bait shallow and knowing it was getting close to dropping into the main ditch is where that familiar tic took place. Sweeping the rod and hooking up felt great. After a few seconds this fish told me she wasn’t a bass. Deep fight with slower head shakes told me that I just tied into the first post spawn sauger of the season. After a very short struggle a twenty in. sauger slid into the net. Wow, did she look tired! Pencil thin and in pretty rough shape. Took a while to revive her but she finally swam off.

The bass on the other hand were in beautiful shape. Very aggressive with the smaller fish making themselves airborn upon hookset. Nothing enormous on this morning but the numbers were unreal. A few in the 16" range but most hovering in that legal range. Big fish do hangout in these outlets with my younger brother Steve proving that later in the day. Sneaking back and throwing slightly larger baits is when the bass of the week-end destroyed Steves white Terminator.

Really had an enjoyable week-end. After a less than stellar walleye bite in my boat this spring it was great to slow down, relax a bit and get the sticks bent with regularity. Love the springs rejuvinating powers!