25% Off Dirty Jigs and Nichols Lures, Through 03/28. Learn More

$3 Mystery Overstock Lure Valued up to $10. Shop Now

Spring Savings on Humminbird - Up to $500 Off Learn More

Markdowns on popular products - See all bargain offers

Omnia Fishing
  • Search Site
Omnia Fishing

Fishing Report for Walleye using Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) in Fall

Jason Halfen

Blue Ambassador

10/24/20

  • Species

    Walleye

  • Season

    Fall

  • Technique

    Soft Swimbaits (Sm/Md)

  • Structure

    Rock Pile

Oct 23, 2020: Water temp 46-48, stage 3.6 ft, flow 18,400 cfs The fall bite is here on Pool 4 of the mighty Mississippi River. With low stage and flow, fish are spread out but are actively feeding. We enjoyed great success pitching soft plastics to main channel edges and rip-rap shorelines with adjacent deep water for a nice mix of quality walleye and sauger, most 15-20" long, with bonus jumbo perch and slab crappie. Best baits were 5" jerk shads rigged on 1/4 oz jigs. When picking a jig for soft plastics, look for a long shank hook and a wire plastic "keeper" - VMC Neon Moon eye jigs are perfect. Rig with 20 lb test hi-vis Seaguar Smackdown in Flash Green to visually track your jig, and use a 2' leader of 15 lb test Seaguar InvizX to protect your presentation from rocks, zebra mussels and sharp teeth. A medium or medium light power, fast or extra fast action St. Croix rod equipped with a 2500-series Shimano reel is ideal. Let your jig hit bottom after the cast, and then work back to the boat with a series of sharp upward snaps - then let it fall back to the bottom. Rest for a moment before you repeat the process, as bites will occur on the fall, or when the jig impacts the bottom. Do yourself a favor and fish plastics in the fall - your catch rates and especially the quality of fish will far exceed those of the minnow-soakers.

Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) Essentials

Back to Pool 4 - Redwing Dam