11/07/04 weekend report

[southerner]

Time to start a new thread...

I spent 6 hours on the lower St. Croix Saturday and another 3 hours up by Taylors Falls Sunday. Thanks for the trolling tips from last week, fellas. Leadcore trolling was the hot ticket for us down by Prescott. Seemed like every trolling pass we made downstream, weaving in and out of the 20 boats jigging or deadsticking, produced one or more sauger. Upstream trolling was more of a chore and, as it requires more line out, and because there were so many other fisherpersons on the water with potential to snag our lines, we'd simply motor back up and troll downstream again. Walleyes were hard to come by but the sauger were generally of keepable size ranging from 14 - 17". We got away from the crowds later in the afternoon and hooked up on another handful of sauger in the 20-25' range north of Prescott. Jigging @ the Kinni was slow, with only 1 sauger making it to the boat for an hour of effort. As I said, there were a ton of folks on the water and it certainly was a nice day.

Today I thought I'd go to a more secluded location near Taylors Falls which has produced well for me in the past. We didn't land 'em hand over fist but didn't do badly, pulling in a mixed bag of walleye, smallmouth, and rock bass. Jig 'n minnow was the ticket in the eddies and current seams. Not great size to the fish but we caught enough to keep the afternoon interesting. It was quite peaceful on that stretch of river as we were the only boat on the water.

Not enough daylight after work these days to make it out so I'll give it another try next weekend. Good luck until then. Any other reports from this weekend?

[Glow Jig Guy]

I was out from 10:00 to 5:00. We only caught 3 suager. Had a lot of short bites. I had 6-8 fish get off half way up. I was using an 1/8 oz jig and still having problems hooking them. Has anyone used stingers on the St.Croix or is the water too clear? I use them down @ Redwing but never have on the St. Croix. Any help would be great.

[wall eyell be]

Jig and minnow is my preferred presentation and I almost always use stingers on the Croix.

[walleyefanatic]

Had to complete the honey-do list on Saturday but I did make it out Sunday. After two passes of trolling and fighting the wind in Prescott and catching nothing I decided to visit the honey hole. This proved to be a good move as I ended up catching 25 walleyes and saugers between 14 and 23 inches. All the fish were caught on plastics and they were just hammering em. I caught 4 fish that were no longer than 15" that had completely swallowed the 5" plastic I was using. The great thing was I only missed 2 fish; it was definitely a slam and hold environment (no need for stingers at the honey hole). I'm going to skip out of work early Tuesday and hit the hole again. I hope the big girls find there way to the hole.

[southerner]

Walleyefanatic, you're hurtin' me with that report!!! Sounds like a very productive day for you. I look forward to your report from tomorrow. Who says the plastics bite isn't on?!

BTW, surface water temp on Saturday in Prescott was 50.5. Sunday in Taylors Falls read 43.5. I have lots of theories as to why this is the case but don't know for sure. Sunny and warm day on Saturday and cooler Sunday may have affected surface water temp... Perhaps Lake St. Croix offers the water a chance to heat up on its route south to Prescott...

[walleyefanatic]

Southerner, I think your idea about Lake St. Croix keeping the water temps on the lower Croix higher might be right on. I know the water temps on the Mississippi have consistantly been 5 degrees cooler than on the Croix all fall. Right there is a prime example of why you are such a stellar fisherman and I just stumble on fish here and there. I plan on heading out on the river again this weekend also (in case mama has another honey do list for tomorrow) so if your interested in catching some eyes and /or sauger let me know. If we visit the honey hole you'll be sworn to secrecy though.

[southerner]

Well, Walleyefanatic, I'm not so sure about stellar performances every time out but seriously I'm always willing to scratch my head, hypothesize, and learn from others. With all the variables in fishing, it makes it very satisfying when one puts the puzzle together. Enough philosophy though...

Count me in for this weekend. I've got an open calendar, am willing to dress for any weather, and am itchin' to get back out there. You're the captain so I'm just along for the ride, and sworn to secrecy! Lemme know when and where and we'll nail 'em.

[walleyefanatic]

Let's plan on Saturday morning (8am)at the Prescott launch. The plastics that seemed to be productive last weekend were 4 and 5 inch twister tails in chartreuse. I was also using some heavy jigs (1/2oz) and plan on going through a lot of them. My cell # is 651-303-2757.

[EBass]

You guys are too funny. nice reading!!

[southerner]

Thanks, Ebass! I'll be W-fanatic is out there pounding them right now in fact. Others of us are sitting in our offices wishing we were elsewhere.

Prescott @ 8AM it is. I'll be armed with an arsenal of tips, techniques, and tackle. Hope to see some of you others out there too. The late fall bite has just begun!

[rosspj59]

Fanatic, Any advice on depth of your honey hole. Not trying to find it just noticed you saying your using 1/2 ounce jigs. Must be deeper spot. It seems depth is one of the most important factors when fishing the croix. Thanks for the report and helping me believe there a good numbers of good sized walleyes in the croix again. I have had good luck lately in 24-26 feet for numbers of sauger and few walleyes in 20-22 feet.

[walleyefanatic]

Ross, I was fishing relatively shallow (especially for sauger) at between 10 and 15 feet but when the big girls show up they're most active in about 6 feet. The reason I went so heavy with the jigs is I was having a tough time feeling the bottom and if the jig sat on the bottom for any period of time you would get bit by a rockasaurus. They must be huge because you can't even get them off the bottom if you get a bite(I'll bet I broke off a dozen jigs fighting the mythical creatures).

Southerner, Be prepaired to share lots of your knowledge, I'm like a sponge when it comes to learning about fishing; I pick it up fast but if you let it sit for any period of time the knowledge just disappears.

[rosspj59]

Thanks for the info fanatic. Post some pics if you get some big ones. I have to go with the wife to Two Harbors for the once a year wifey thing this weekend, so no fishing for me. Good luck saturday.

[walleyefanatic]

Was able to sneak out for an hour yesterday but only caught 2 fish (15" sauger and a 16" walleye). The sauger was very pale but the walleye was a beautiful bronze color. Once again the fish were caught on plastics (one on a 5" Kalin the other on a big tube jig). I just love fishing for pressured walleyes with tubes; just like fishing for green carp only these fish are good for something. Looking forward to hitting the water on Saturday; if this weather keeps up I may have to put the heater in the boat. I'm such a panzy when it comes to cold weather.

[southerner]

Looks like a nice weekend ahead of us, fellow fisherpersons. May be a bit chilly in the morning but I'm betting the bend in the rods and the zing of your drag will warm you up quickly.

I noticed a skim of ice on area lakes today, even in the afternoon when it was relatively warm and sunny. I believe we've breached the edge of primetime walleye river fishing. Lookin' forward to your reports. If Capt. W-fanatic puts us on fish I'm sure a synopsis will be posted soon. I have a feeling this weekend will be V productive, maybe not for gettin' those honey-do items accomplished, but those can wait. *Thinks - Bathroom needs to be painted, carpets need steam cleaning, need new furnace filter...* See y'all on the water!

[76k20]

i've got a bit of butchering to do bright and early but hope to launch the boat around 11 ~ 12 o'clock. See you on the water.

Kyle