Swedish pimple-Rattling spoons question.

[Guest]

Maybe some of you dudes that fish the St. Croix with swedish pimples,rattlin' spoons or similar lures can give me some tips.My question is what presentation do you find triggers the most strikes for you? Here's the deal.I fish down there alot and do fairly well with ice jigs and minnows and also with a fathead under a slip bobber near the bottom.I was down there today and it was kind of slow but did catch sauger,crappie,perch and walleye.(13"-released).All of them came from a rig with a fathead and jig under a bobber.When I would see fish on the flasher I would lower down one of the above lures with minnow heads,tails or whole minnows.I tryed lifting and dropping slow,just quivering it,everything!They come up to look at it,stay a while and then go back down.Maybe they weren't in the mood or something but I've never really had good luck with them lures in the past.Or maybe I'm not doing something to trigger a strike.Also,how deep do you guys that fish for walleyes normally fish?Appreciate any input.

[southerner]

Sinker, with so many variables and unknowns to try to take into account, I don't know if any one or two recommendations can help. However, I'll tell you what's been working for me.

Bangin' bottom with your jigging spoon and then dead-sticking it seems to have worked well here recently on the Croix. If you're just getting lookers then rip it up a couple of feet and dead-stick it. A simple tail-hooked crappie minnow has also been productive. Give a try and good luck.

[Bodyman]

Sinker, I use both rattle spoon/pimple alot thru the ice. On the St.Croix I had the best luck with a rattle spoon/minnow head. They seem to work better when the bite is agressive but they can be used to coax a bite when things are slow. I like a sharp jerk up and drop with slack line for attraction, the hit usually comes when the lure settles out. Tie a loop knot instead of tight to the lure. The loop gives the lure much better action/flutter. And use a stiffer rod, noddle rods are out, at least for me and jigging. When you get lookers on the flasher and not biting try a slow lift to get them to follow. If they follow a foot or two, stop and give it a little shake. Keep a second pole ready with a different set up if you get one that follows and won't bite. A quick switch some times triggers a bite. I like to have a rod ready with live bait/ hook minnow. Also time of day makes a big difference for the walleye. I spent alot of afternoons with lookers and no takers and as soon as the sun set the lookers turned to agressive biters. As far as depth goes the Croix runs very deep in spots I like to find the sharpest break I can and fish 20'-30'. I was catching sauger in 28 feet around sunset when I got a mark at 14' reeled up to it and caught a 20" eye. then caught 2 more one a 26" in about 20 min's. then they were gone. Jigging rapala's are another good bait to use for walleye. A sharp jerk and drop and at least 20 secs between jigs. I hope this helps you out. Good luck

Fishing is Life.

[Guest]

Southerner and Bodyman, that's exactly the kind of advice I was looking for.You both mentioned helpful tips that I hadn't tryed before.After I posted I realized that I didn't mention size or colors that I was using.The ones I use are on the smaller side at maybe 1"-1 1/2" long and usually gold,silver or chartruese.The best I've done in the past was small white bass or small saugers.That's what frustrated me yesterday because I caught a few nice fish on different rigs so I knew the fish were there and what they were but I couldn't connect with pimples or rattle spoons.Thanks again!I'll let you know if my luck improves.Good Luck Fishing!!!

[Turk]

Bodyman,

Good to hear from you! Congrats on the big walleye, 26" is a beauty, good advice as well, as you know you're fishing in a walleye spot vs. the basin for the crappies, Again nice fish.

The eyes have been picking up for me as well around the twilight hour.

In my opinion Southerner really hit the nail on the head as stirring up the bottom, has been a key trigger.

Keep Catchin'
Turk

Croixsippi Guide Service
www.croixsippi.com
1-800-929-1801

[Guest]

Turk, I took your advice today concerning fishing different spots for walleyes.I was fishing deep in the early afternoon and caught a sauger,crappie and a huge white bass.I still had action until after dark but earlier I had drilled two holes for my shack in 16'of water.I moved in there and shortly after I caught a walleye an inch shy of legal.I stayed about an hour and had one more on the flasher come up and look and then leave but I found out later the minnow head came off the treble on the jigging spoon so I missed my shot at that one.Now I wish I had moved in there earlier.I was wondering,how far into the season do you find this pattern to be productive? I know on some lakes the shallow spots are good at first but then taper off.Maybe because it's a river it might not change all through the winter? Good Luck Fishing!!!

[Bodyman]

Merry Christmas all. I hope Santa was good to you. I got a Mr heater buddy and can't wait to give it a try. Nothing like being warm while sitting on the ice.

Turk,I haven't been around the St.Croix forum much because I moved back to LaCrosse last summer and spending my time on the Miss and backwaters around here. The walleye I mentioned in the earlier post were caught last year down from the afton state park. The big one was 27" if I remember right. Nobody fishes down there but it's a great spot if you don't mind the hike. I fished north of the point coming offthe park. There's a big flat 15'-20'+ with a steep drop to 50+' I fished it 5 times and caught fish every time walleye, sauger and channel cats. I went down there orginaly looking for crappies but never caught one, but I'm sure their there just have to look for them. Like the waters around here there are some spots that get all the attention and others that no one ever fishes. Those are the spots I enjoy the best.

I'm heading out late this afternoon to a spot off the miss channel that if the ice is safe,should be good for a few walleye.Most always has been the past.I CR a 28" 8.9 hog below the Genoa dam this fall and looking for the 10+ fish that's been avoiding me so far. Good Luck.

Fishing is Life.

[Turk]

Hey Guys Merry Christmas!

I'll be out pounding the ice tomorrow, and sinker I'll be hitting the crappies then moving up for eyes, during low light. It's interesting but I've had great success fishing walleyes shallow and other days little to nothing...but as the saying goes, that's why it's called fishing and not...

I'm a believer in walleyes being shallow during low light - all the time - year round, especially if the shad are in, then the eyes will stay shallow.
The main problem I have is waiting the spot out. after all once the curtain is drawn and night falls, I don't drill new holes, and don't like to move. Then a guy is "stuck" and you need a lot of faith and or research in your spot to keep from wondering if you are on a dud. Then it's the memories that keep you alert, and more reassured.

Bodyman - Thanks for the info, I've always believed that a guy can really reap the ice rewards from trail blazing, especially since us ice anglers have a pack mentality.

Good luck, Keep catchin'
Turk
Croixsippi Guides
1-800-929-1801

[Guest]

Thanks for replying guys,and on Christmas too.That's love of the ice for sure. Bodyman:Is there access to that spot down by Afton state park on the WI. or MN. side?I'm not familiar with that stretch down there.There's a spot I've seen on maps called the Catfish Bar down in that area. Turk:Yes that sounds like a good plan-Crappies during the day out deeper and then slide in shallower towards evening.I've been down to the river only twice now but by far I feel it is already much better than the past two years.Caught a few walleyes(too small),saugers and a few big crappies.That's fine with me to take home just a few fish.It doesn't take a bucket full to keep me interested. Bodyman:Good luck with the 10+lb. quest.Later Guys.

[Bodyman]

sinkerII, I got access thru the Afton state park, you'll need a sticker or a day pass. Pick up the trail map at the office and you can find the one that heads down to the river. I think it's about 1/2 mile to the river
If you have the hot spots map of the StCroix it's #36 on the map,you'll see the point I'm talking about. I fished north of the point right on the steep break. I never tried it on the end of the point which I think would be the best spot, or the south side.
It's quite a hike, especially on the way back it's all up hill so pack light.
The ice was very good north of the point and not much current,but it may be thinner at the point where it narrows so be safe, carry a spud to check the ice and take a buddy along. If for no other reason to help pack your gear down and back. If you get down there let me know how you do. Good luck

Fishing is Life.

[Guest]

Bodyman,yes I do have the map and after I read your post I looked at it and was thinking #36 was the one you were talking about.Question:It's about a half mile from where you can park to the river?Also,how far is it when you reach the river to the point?Thanks for the info.Much appreciated.Good Luck Fishing!!!

[Bodyman]

sinker, it's a half mile from where you park to the river, but it's all trail. There's a foot path off the point that's a shorter walk if your not pulling a sled. The map you get at the office will help. It's 2/3 of the way across the river before you hit the drop off. Good luck.

Fishing is life

[Bodyman]

SinkerII, Like I said in my earlier post I never really fished the point, but the break north of it. The trail will take you north of the point and I went straight out from there. Maybe 300 yards north. You can see the 20'-25" flat on the map and when it drops off it drops off quick. It'll go from 20+ to 40+ in about 15yards. I'd walk out until you find the deep water then back track until you find the break. Now I'm itchin to get back out there. maybe sometime this winter. Good luck.

Fishing is Life

[Guest]

Bodyman,thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.It sounds like it's worth the walk.Although like you said,better pack light.I'd definitely like to give it a try.I've c&r four walleyes down by North Hudson.Nice,chunky fish but 13"-14".Can't buy a keeper.Good Luck Fishing down in LaCrosse.Keep in touch.Later.

[WarrenA]

I have seen it happen so many times when a fish will come up and "sniff" your bait and swim off, try putting on a little of Berkleys walleye or crappie scent attractant. I had some crappie scent last year and it did seem to help catch the "sniffers". I am trying some minnows frozen in scent, last weekend I caught some perch when no one else around me was doing a thing. Will try again this weekend if I get a chance to go.

[Guest]

That sounds like it's worth a try.When they're coming up and looking and you try every lure,combo and presentation,it will drive you nuts.Sometimes they just won't take it.Let me know how you do.Good Luck Fishing!!!