Fall River Basics

[Chode2235]

Promised myself that I would spend time on the river this fall (Pool 2,3, St. Croix), as I have always wanted to fish more in the fall but have been limited by schedule.

So I really know very little about fall river fishing.

Can you guys give me some pointers on the basics: Location, Presentation and the like?

I have spent a ton of time out on pool 2 this summer, and am a fairly competent river fisherman but I have never had the chance to fish much later in the year than early September.

[rosspj59]

Pitching jigs to rock structure on Pool 2 would be my go to presentation, but you can also vertical jig and drag jigs to get walleyes on pool 2, 3 and the st croix. Trolling and casting crank baits will work well until the water drops below 50 degrees. The water level will help decide where the fish will be. Low flows will cause fish to be closer to current. This means neck down areas on the St Croix and the main channel on the Miss. Jigs with bait, plastics or hair jigs will work well.

[fishinfey8]

Night-fishing on clear nights. Preferably close to a full moon. Cast Rapalas like the husky jerk from shore on shallower current breaks. I got this piece of advice from a good source. Check out this video-- it's one of my favorite youtube videos of all time. The only thing is I might be a little concerned for my safety if I was thinking about trying it!

[Northlander]

Fall river fishing to me brings out the jigs and big minnows. If the eys aint goin I down size and chase them fall crappies.

[Chode2235]

Perfect, it sounds like the same old game for the most part.

The other thing I was wondering about was 3-way rigging minnow baits. I have a couple of 'non-fisherman' friends who want to get out this fall and enjoy the colors. I was thinking of using that day and introducing them to a bit of trolling.

[tunrevir]

Three way rigging is a good technique in the fall. Contrary to popular opinion, I troll sticks as the water temps drop into the 40's and still have success. The key to trolling in cold water temps is a bait with a slow wobble and get the boat speed down to the 1-1.5 mph range so that bait is wobbling along at a snails pace. At slow speeds with current, the baits will have an exaggerated action. I like thundersticks for this application as they have a nice rolling wobble at slow speeds.

Tunrevir

[Chode2235]

Three way rigging is a good technique in the fall. Contrary to popular opinion, I troll sticks as the water temps drop into the 40's and still have success. The key to trolling in cold water temps is a bait with a slow wobble and get the boat speed down to the 1-1.5 mph range so that bait is wobbling along at a snails pace. At slow speeds with current, the baits will have an exaggerated action. I like thundersticks for this application as they have a nice rolling wobble at slow speeds.

Tunrevir

Do you typically troll downstream or upstream?

1.5 mph beyond the current speed?

[tunrevir]

I typically run upstream and at 1-1.5 sog on the GPS.

Tunrevir~

[Rivernut]

I second the jig with a big minnow. My personal favorite is a redtail chub. Use a jig just heavy enough to get the minnow down, yet allow it to swim a bit. Good luck

[Mike Walerak]

For numbers I like to troll stickbaits upstream. A 3-way setup with about 3oz of weight is a good starting point. For larger fish I like to cast bladebaits and jigs. I like to throw larger plastics this time of year also. 4" K grubs can be great. I also tip my bucktail jigs with rubber to bulk up the bait sometimes.