P4 Weekend Report

[Mike Walerak]

The weather has finally shaped up, sun is rising in the East and I my back has that soreness as if I have spent a couple of long days in the bow of my boat. I am definatly out of shape!

We started off Saturday with a rather difficult bite but we worked through it and ended the day with 9 fish over the 19" mark. Dean at Everett's let me try out the new 8'3"Limit Creek Rod for the day. Once I doubled that rod over on the first sauger I knew I would be getting one for myself. None of the fish were to enormous but some were ready for another notch in their belt as the appeared to be ready to burst at the seams. (sorry no pics as our cameras were all frozen or had some other issue)

Today, we started with the same program of dragging jigs and ringworms we left off with on Saturday only to put 2 fish in the boat the first few hours. It took a little searching but once we(I mean Mark) connected with the third fish it was game on. The new 8'3" rod found it way to a rod holder with it's jig and ringworm combo and it seemed to be the perfect match for this type of fishing. As you can see it got the job done nicely on this fish.

I was not the only one putting a Limit Creek to use. Mark Stanly was in the back of the boat calling for his net boy most of the afternoon. Here he is with one more chubby 21"er. He saw the need to add one of these rods to his arsenal too!

Mark definatly let me know who was in the lead for most fish at days end.

About these RODS This new 8'3" teloscoping rod is just what river anglers have been wanting. A long rod with a sensitive yet soft tip but the backbone to wrestle the heavy thumping fish to the top. And let us tell you it is a blast because there is plenty of tip to play a fish which makes the bigger fish feel bigger and the smaller fish feel larger and yet firm enough that is does not feel wimpy at all. Check them out! or better yet try them out on some chunky saugers!

mw

[harvey lee]

Looks like I need to get the boat out for sure this week and get it ready for the river soon. Thanks for the pics and info.

[walleyecaber]

I have to agree with Harvey i need the guys where my boat is stored to move some big boats out of my way seeing pictures like this make me want to get on the open water.Nice pictures guys and thanks for the report.

[markkstanley]

I have to second MIke about those 8"3" LImit Creeks. Designed for rigging but I can see using it for slip bobbers and light crank trolling. Another good feature thing is rod collapses to 6ft so it will fit in any rod locker. I did some modified three way rigging with it and also used it for dragging jigs yesterday. You know it's a good design when you can lay the rod down and still catch fish. The tip is soft enough to let those river sauger grab the jig without spooking them. Had one fish nail the jig while I was messing around with another rod. Looked over and saw the tip just bending and bouncing away. Nice 18" sauger and all I did was start to reel. I highly recommend using 10lb Fireline with this rod. But the best feature as Mike said is this is just a fun rod to catch fish with.

[skunked_again]

Thanks for all the good reports guys! Much appreciated. I will be trying it this weekend and will post results as well.

[Grainbelter]

If you guys don't mind me asking, how much of this stretch is open and were might an access be. Never tried it but the boats been ready and I just might swing over next week. Thanks for any info.

[SCONASOTAN]

Don't know exact miles of open water but the only place to access is at Everts resort (hager city, wi)as far as I know that is. Definitely worth your time.

[eyebjim]

Does a guy have to register his boat in WI to put in on the wisconsin side?

[harvey lee]

No

[eyebjim]

Thanks Harvey lee. It's been a few years since I hit the river in March. I think it's time again.

[Grainbelter]

Thanks for the info, I assume they sell bait if needed @ the resort??

[Mike Walerak]

Yes, Dean has a full service baitshop there.

[Team Otter]

Good report Mike.

[jigginjim]

Mark have you tried spinner rigs on the river this early in the year. My boat is calling me each morning I go to work. "Play hooky, lets go to the river." May need to find a partner to call in for me at work. Illness

[markkstanley]

Never have used spinner rigs this early in the year. Closest I have gotten to spinners is using walleye flasher jigs. No reason spinners on a 3way setup wouldn't work but I prefer to use plastics since the fish also seem to prefer them. Paddletails and ringies put out just the right thump. Also I really prefer to pitch jigs. Only go vertical jigging or dragging when pitching is not an option. I know a lot of people use spinners early summer but at that time I prefer to pull #5 shad raps or 3way rigs with floating Raps. I'm just not a live bait guy.

[wastewaterguru]

Harvey Lee.....

My boat is always ready!!

Just say when.

[Turk]

JiggnJim,

I know you asked Mark, but I have used spinners on the river starting about mid March, and yes they work just fine, especially on a three way rig.

You guys were talking about that 8' 3" Limit Creek rod, I can tell you first hand it dominates when rigging with livebait in the summer especially when using long long leaders (due to the rod length and the fact its a true medium light). The rod is full of utility being so long, many many applications.

Oh about the spinners again, they really only work trolling very slow, not only because too much speed hurts the bite in cold water, but in the current the spinner "over trolls" itself and rolls the bait.

Keep catchin'

Turk

[jigginjim]

Turk

Thanks for the info. I have lots of spinner rigs, just was wondering if anyone else has used them.

This am be thinking wat out side the box. Has anyone ever anchored upstream of the ice edge of pipen this time of year? I thought it could be a good spot as walleyes stage there before moving up to spawn.