Red Wing or Alma??? Help

[Down to Earth]

Well Sunday I have plans to make my maiden voyage attempt to fishing the river. Deciding whether I should go over to Alma or on up to Red Wing. I've seen some reports from Red Wing, but nothing from Alma. Any info or suggestions to make my trip easier(not necessarily in catching fish) would be appreciated. Thanks.

Andy

[Jim W]

Andy,

If your not comfortable or are new to the "dam" thing, I would encourage the ALma Dam. More room to operate and an easier drift. Simply pull up to the legal distance from the dam and try to stay vertical until you have completed your drift.

It is a solid 100 + yard drift. ALso the wing dams just down stream can produce fish as well.

The weekend would find considerable more traffic at Redwing.

It's a starter.

See what Crappie Tom's take is on it as well!

Jim W

[uffdapete]

Both the 3B deer season in Minnesota and Wisconsin deer season both start Saturday so that should take some pressure off the river.

There are usually some veterans at either dam that are willing to let you in on a few secrets to get you started, not to mention all the info right here in previous posts.

[CrappieJohn]

Andy....do Alma. As jim has stated it is far easier to figure out on your own and way less traffic. I'd suggest you confine your dam activity to the west 1/2 of the roller gates....the most gates in the water are the rollers and are on the left side as you face the dam. Stay to the left of the center of those gates...you'll see boats there.

Yes they are catching fish there and some dandies at that. What to use? I hate to say it, but take some minnows and fish them on plain chartreuse jigheads or tip a jig/twister with one. The Debuque rig works nice too. Since it has two baits on the one line you cannot use the second pole, but trust me this system is a hot one. Tie on a tree way swivel. Tie on a dropper of about a foot and tie a 3/8 or 1/2 jig to it. Hang a ringworm on it (purple/white). Tie a three foot leader to the remaining eye and tie a plain hook to it for a minnow. Drop this down and keep is vertical. You'll more than catch fish.

[Down to Earth]

Do you recommend using a standard round jig head? Also will the 3" Powerbait grub still be a good size on a 3/8 - 1/2 ounce jig? Of course I had to buy 1/4 size, but your suggestion I assume the 1/4 won't work as well if there is a decent current. Also is there any time in which you would use a floating jig? One more question for now, I'm sure I'll think of more later, but what size hook do you recommend using on the minnow? Thank you so much for the help so far.

Andy

[CrappieJohn]

A number 4 or 2 walleye hook will do for the bait. As far as the jig goes, use a standard ballhead. 3/8 or 1/2 would be considered minimum since you will have the hook and bait in tow and you really need to keep this vertical. If you allow much bow in the line hits are hard to feel. Vertically the hits are very noticable. A three inch power grub will work but for some reason the fish really likew the purple.

Hey Andy....you have mail at home.