Panfish remain aggressive throughout much of our area providing anglers with exciting action as they target these tasty critters. Of late, slip bobber rigs tipped with live bait have been effective for working submerged cover, mainly deeper wood, stumps, and snags.
The Wisconsin River system is one of the finest smallmouth fisheries in the Midwest, and action as of late continues to substantiate this fact. Whereas the panfish have been holding a little deeper, there remains an active bite for big smallmouth bass in shallower wood and rocks.
Suspending-style minnow baits and jig/plastic combinations have been working well. If you're not getting bit shallow, position your boat a bit deeper and try working a jig and chub combination or countdown-style crankbait.
After a banner summer season for big walleyes, the autumn bite for both brutes and eater-sized fish continues in the Wausau area. Good numbers of fish are showing up in the deeper holes and stretches during the daylight hours and subsequently occupying adjacent flats and breaklines during the low light periods. During the day live bait whether on a jig or rig such as a slip sinker rig. For the shallower bite crankbaits worked at a slow to medium retrieve have worked well as have slowly swimming a jig and paddle tail trailer.
Anglers on a quest for Esox action have had plenty to be excited about as of late as both northern pike and musky activity has been consistent. With water temperatures continuing to drop, action on quick-strike rigged suckers has been improving; at present, smaller to mid-sized bait has been producing best both in respect to action and quality of fish.
Anglers looking to cast for either species will do well on both jerkbaits and crankbaits as both have been producing fish; look for structure such as rock outcroppings or downed timber with proximity to deeper water. Plenty of musky activity is occurring through the nighttime also, with muskies frequenting many of the same areas as the bigger walleyes. Cash in on the bite by working high vibration presentations such as jointed crankbaits or over-sized rubber baits with curly or paddle tails.
Few things are more beautiful than a trophy fish held against the vibrant autumn backdrop! I'll see you on the water…
Tight lines,
Joel