Captain Dan’s Fishing Report 01/29/2014

Both the bite and the safe ice on the Bay seems to be holding up. Some cracks have become open or heaved up in places because of intense winds lately, but slow going and picking your areas to cross is always best any ways. The Low light feeding hours are always best for walleyes on the Bay. That can change on certain days during low cloud cover, when the wind is blowing or when there is a front of any kind coming in. This has always been the case for years. High no-wind/sunny days can be tough out there. Working and/or tricking any fish that comes into the hole to bite during this kind of day is the best thing to try. Pull out every jigging technique you have in your arsenal when you see a fish come in. If the fish bolts immediately, omit that technique on the next fish. If he fallows your offering up,

keep teasing him and watch for that light and very timid take.

The river bite has also been good one day and bad the next. Same goes for the daily spots selected up or down river to fish. Some Early spring Female spawners always make their way into the river long before the ice breaks up. They of course are fallowed in by the hoards of eager young Males. And with lots of food in the river system again this year, both sexes (like the ones on the Bay) seem to be more eager to bite/feed during low light periods. Jigging Raps have been the ticket, with some colors (as always) doing better then others this year. As always, fish smart, be safe and tight lines.  Capt. Dan.