Very High Water Walleyes

By marty_hahn 0

After spending a little time on the river this past week I thought I would give a little update on my findings. Wednesday of last week I bummed a ride with Vandy and Randy. I knew if I hung around the baitshop long enough someone would come along and pick up a hitchhiker. The three of us spent the better part of the day checking on old haunts that normally hold fish this time of year. The result of our days work are explained in the first picture.
About 3 o’clock Randy made a coorperate decision. If were not going to catch fish we just as well do in the comforts of the resort. I have never had that much fun not catching much as I did on Wednesday. Thanks for the ride guys, I had a blast.

Thursday I was back at it again. I had a half day to kill so Kory Isley and I headed back to the river. A little bird (Dustin) told me of a spot that might be holding some biters and that bird didn’t lie. We started our day at daylight and had decent results as the sun hit the top of the trees. We Dubuque Rigged our way to a decent bunch of mostly saugers and even with a decent bite were glad we had to be off the water by 11 am. Temps in the 20’s and a strong North wind made it feel like January not March.
Most fish on this day came on the minnow end of this rig but kgrubs on the dropper jig did take a few.

Saturday my crew and I started our day where I had left off on Thursday. We again used Dubuque Rigs to start our day and had a short lull before things got going pretty good. One rod rigged with a purple/chart tail paddletail started getting the most attention so a mass switch over quickly followed. Not too long after the switch, Sean Sulliven was posing for a picture with his 28.5″,10.2 lb best river walleye to date.
We had pretty good luck all day with this rig but when we would experience a lull, small changes would induce more biters. Tweeking the weight of the jig or colors and styles of plastics all seemed to make a difference when things would get slow.

The fish Peter Yawn is shown with came shortly after we swapped the trailing minnows on the rigs for firecracker/chart tailed ringworms. This switch quickly took a few fish but then too faded away and another change was needed.
All in all a great day. Thanks to Peter, Sean and not pictured Dion Brandt who always brings luck to my boat. Dion was with me last year when another giant walleye made it’s way into our boat. Next year Dion, next year it is your turn.

0 Comments

  3. We were 30 feet behind your boat when you netted the 10.2 lb walleye. It was our Saturday morning adrenaline rush.

  4. Great report as usual Marty. I think we are right around the corner from it getting crazy good down there. Hope to see you on the water soon.
    Rich

  5. johnksully,
    I have been using 1/2 and 3/8 oz jigs for the droppers. This varies a little when depth and current changes.

  9. Hey, Marty good seeing you this past weekend. one of our posse Steve Kappel also popped a sumo on Friday a 28″ – 10# girl that still swims two other guys in our group had an 8# and 9.1# respectively….See you in about 10 days. Mike Mulqueen

  14. quick question on the Dubuque rigs. what kind of rod reel works best? spinning (like vertical fishing)? or baitcaster (like 3-waying)?

    thanks

  16. Doc,
    It was a saugeye, no doubt about it. When it hit the net I said holy sh– as I thought it was a sauger. Kind of a beat up looking thing.

  17. Joe,
    I use the same rods I throw with(6’6″ med) until I get above 3/4 oz on the dropper. Then I switch to casting equipment which works better for me with the heavier droppers.

  18. Quote:

    Hey, Marty good seeing you this past weekend. one of our posse Steve Kappel also popped a sumo on Friday a 28″ – 10# girl that still swims two other guys in our group had an 8# and 9.1# respectively….See you in about 10 days. Mike Mulqueen

Leave a Comment