Many think of fishing Pool 4 near Red Wing is the place to be in the spring. Not so for eater sauger and walleyes!
In fact, the fall bite can be just as good if not better than in spring.
What's working today?
Pulling three way rigs is hot right now. Many use their favorite stick bait. Keep in mind that the colors might change throughout the day. Depending on the flow the day you're looking for a meal, 2 to 3 ounces of weight will do the trick. What I hear that's more important than color is speed. Trolling down to .4 miles per hour works very well. Moving side to side at that speed on a current seam will give you plenty of tugs! Don't forget a Ringworm on a # 2 hook in place of that $7.00 shad imitation works very well too.
For those that feel more comfortable vertical jigging, plastics are taking off. B-Fish-N Tackles Stewart Pro Blue Ringworm is a deadly color in both spring and fall as well as Purple Chartreuse. On brighter days, give the Oyster and Firecracker a shot. Bright colors on bright days and darker colors on cloudy, overcast days.
The folks pitching blade baits are having just as much fun as the trollers and the vertical jiggers. In fact, now is a great time to learn how well those funny looking blades baits that some people call sonars work casting them, then working them slowly back to the boat. Lifting the rod tip slightly and dropping the bait until the line tells the anger the bait is on the bottom. Generally they fish smackem while the bait is falling.
While many boats head up to the dam area, the wise angler will stay away from other anglers. The sauger and walleyes are moving up from the lake towards the dam. There is literally 11 miles of excellent fishing.
For the trends and scoop on what's happening on Pool4, check out the Mississippi River Forums on In-Depth Outdoors. For the upto the minute hot tackle, stop into Everts Fishing Resort.
When the manager of Everts, Dean speaks tackle, the fish listen!