Member
Posts: 160
Location: Menasha, WI | Hi Gang:
On April 21, 2007 there is an awesome outdoor show going on at Waverly Beach in Menasha. There will be several vendors there including boat dealers, marinas, and resorts.The time is from 10 AM until 6 Pm, so put it on you calenders and stop out for some great buys and a great show. I hope to see some of you WalleyeFirst guys there.
This weather has been crazy lately and it has really put a funk in the fishing as well. Reports have come in from all over the river and it is really slow for the most part all over. The so called hot spot seems to be in New London along Spoehr's Marsh, but that action is really hit and miss. My buddy has a raft along the river in Stephensville and he has been doing well after dark for walleyes. He also said he has seen several spawned out fish, but he has caught a few spawners too, that are still hard and full of eggs. Most are either using Wolf River Rigs tipped with shiners or are bouncing a jig with shiners. I personally like to use crawlers and here is why. Once I start to see crawlers out on the streets and sidewalks this tells me that these are also getting into the waterways. So now that there has been several rains and I have seen crawlers, I will make the switch to both crawlers and shiners. The fish have not really seen or had crawlers for awhile and it can be a nice change of pace for them. So remember to bring some along with you and give them a shot.
I did receive a few good reports about perch fishing on Lake Winnebago this past week along the east shore. Several people reported that they limited out on perch using slip bobbers tipped with crawlers or wax worms. If the pressure of the river is too much for you, You may want to give it a shot along the east shore for some perch.
Some of you have asked me about the Whitebass run, and it is really to early for this right now. I generally like to think that the whitebass run begins when the lilac bushes bloom. It is usually right around this time of year, and I know my lilac bushes are nowhere near blooming yet.
Winneconne Bridge area has been slow for walleyes, but I blame this on the poor weather as well. This area is a natural bottle neck for the fish and can be very good at times. I like to drift from the bridge to the power wires using 1/4 oz jigs or 3/8 if I have to go that heavy. We have always had good luck here pumping flies against the current as well. I like to use flies that have silver tinsle in them. The best flies I found are located at the bait shop across from Rainbow park in Oshkosh. They have a great selection and are priced very well too.
The area by Gills Landing is slow for walleyes, but I did get a report that Devils Elbow, just up from Gills Landing, gave up a few nice fish this past week. Next weekend will be the real test for the river as Fort Fremont is having a tourney, and I believe so is Red Banks Resort, so you should see how the river is doing after these two tournies.
The Menasha dam has a lot of people fishing, but the action has not been so good. I took a ride down there the other night and noone had a fish. I was pretty shocked to see a lot of them using Rapalas here. With all the rocks and debris in the water this can get pretty pricy in a hurry. I like to use jigs and tube jigs here tipped with shiners or crawlers. I like to use purple tubers and orange jig heads while here.
Poygan is slow all over and I had 3 or 4 reports of people trolling out on it and having little luck. A few people actually had some decent northerns, but not much for walleyes. Walleyes will be in here thick in a few weeks as the fish make there way home to Bago. I figure it will be prime time trolling out there once the PWT tourney hits. If I was a betting man, I would bet the PWT tourney will be won on Poygan either by trolling in Horseshoe Hole or by hitting the cane beds and slip bobbering for them.
The mouth of the Fox River in Oshkosh has had some action, but it seems most of the fish are all on the small side and the action is really hit and miss. I was pretty amazed at how many people use the bridges to fish, but then leave all their garbage lay around. Take the time and pick it up or else these bridges will eventually become no fishing zones. I actually saw one of the fishermen there going around and picking up other people's trash, and I apllaude him for doing this. I will generally stop and pick up junk floating in the water too. I realize that there may be some instances where things fly out of your boat and you do not notice it, but please help keep our waters clean, and try and pick up some junk at all times.
Ok, now your comments and questions to me......................
AXLE..WHEN DO YOU THINK WILL BE A GOOD TIME TO START HITTING BAGO FOR WALLEYES?
Actually, you can go out there now and get some. I do not think that all of the fish go up the rivers and with all the fish in the system you are bound to get a few fish out there now. I generally like to start hitting the east shore in the middle of May and then once the last week in May hits, we start jigging on the reefs.
What size blades do you use on your harnesses?
I use #5 size colorado blades and also chopper blades. I think these are an all around great size to use for both Bago and for the Bay.
When trolling early in the year what type of crank baits do you suggest I use?
I like to use #5 Shad Raps and generally will run them anywhere from 25-50 feet back behind the boards. I like to use perch colored and baby bass color, and walleye color the best. I will try and match the hatch early in the year with my bait selection. No matter what time of year it is, when we troll with cranks, we almost always have at least one perch colored bait on our lines.
How is the fishing off of the Neenah Lighhouse right now?
I have not been down there at night to see for myself this year, but I would think it is a bit early. I know we used to fish here in May, and it all depends on if there is current there or not to keep the fish in this area. This is a good spot to shore fish though, and I like to use jigs and crawlers or a #7 shallow running fire tiger rapala here in the countdown model.
I know this report was not all about Winnebago, but I did not know where else to put it. If you feel it is out of line, then let Jerry pull it or delete it.
Be safe, have fun, and remember to always try and take a kid fishing!!!!
AXL |
Member
Posts: 59
Location: Appleton, WI | Hey Axl!
Thanks for the great report. I don't know about most guys but I really appreciate an honest report like yours. Between you and "PS" you both give out valuable information.... So Thanks! I've had a little success on the wolf so far and it should get better soon as the temps look to be getting warmer this coming weekend. Surface temp was only 36 on Monday so it needs to warm up a good 10 degrees. Could be a zoo out there this weekend with the tourney's and all the weekend warriors. I'll wait till next week to venture out again.
When do they start putting in the no wake buoy's and do they really inforce it all the time or just on the weekends when the traffic is heavier? Actually, I've never really seen the wardens on the river. Boy, they could really give out alot of tickets if they did inforce the no wake buoy's.
Back to fishing.....have you ever tried your fly set-up on the wolf or would it get to expensive with all the snags. Do you want to be trolling against the current or doesn't it matter as long as the boat is moving? I had a little success with flies last year by the mouth of bago. But caught more crappies than walleyes. Hey, keep up the great reports as we all like to hear em!  |
