Late Winter River Fishing ??

[MTCOMMER]

Alright, so I am planning on getting the boat out on the river next weekend to try my luck in some open water.  I plan on fishing the same area as I Ice Fish when the river is frozen.  I have never fished the river at this point in the season so I am a little unsure on what type of rig to use.
I was thinking just jigging with a minnow as I would have ice fishing, but then I thought trolling a Lindy Rig, or trolling Shad Raps.  I thought I remember someone saying they have been out on Pool4 this season, I cant find that post though.  Any thoughts on what to use, or what has worked for you in the past?  Thanks, any help is appreciated.  I plan on trying everything if nothing is working, but a starting point would be nice!
   Im excited to see all this open water  :fishing2:

[JohnWester]

http://mnoutdoorsman.com/forums/index.php?topic=19499.
pool 4

[bchevycaprice]

I really want to get out on the river fishing asap problem is i have never been out there i also hear the bite is really good in redwing.I have a boat and tackle i would be willing to take my boat out and pay for everyting or pay someone some money if they want to take there boat i would stil also pay for everything i really want to catch some sturgion and padde fish but wallye and catfish would be great 2 please get back to me if yo know the river this time of year verry well and would like to save some money and have a new fishining buddy my name is bily and im 27 years old im the type of person thatswilling to stay out all day no probem my number is 612 715 8591 thanks or email me thelauriefamily@live.com 

[Jdrummer]

See ,there is alot of people that read a few posts about slaying the eyes or saugers on the sippi and they all wanna try it out. I'm not trying to scold anyone ,i'm just tryign to point out that the Mississippi is a monster and alot of bad things can happen on it. The water is still really cold. this time of year you gotta monitor the flow and the changing water clairity. Last year there was alot of tree branches and big logs floating down the river in the late winter early spring time. usualy they r right under the surface. If it rains a 100 miles to the north it will effect the river at pool 4. There are alot of wing dams that are never marked and seems every year a few different people hit em . Boat control is another thing. I have whitnessed one boat in a sea of a 100 or more boats loose control and run into another boat or boats.

[Jdrummer]

Ok , now to give some tips. This time of year there is never a certain color or presentation that is on all the time. If you want the best chance at getting fish un snagged a jig and minnow is the way to go! Last year a fire tiger hair jig with a gulp minnow (3 and 4") threaded on to the hook then a live minnow hooked through the head or the lips ontop of that was best. You will need many colors and absolutely need different weight sizes! purle , chartuse,and a silver or minnow color is the go to's . sometimes orange is on but I always get fish on those colors listed above. always experiment. Try to stay verticle as possible and think of where they miight be staging before they spawn.  Holes out of the current are very good along with current breaks or seams!  Well hope this helps. Its soundin like ill have the " MEGA Hawk " Down there in a few weeks.

[JohnWester]

river levels are still low, but are coming up a bit. I noticed a difference over the course of the week. not much, maybe 3-4 inches???  soon it's gonna be 5-6 plus feet. go slow out there right now, there is some ice floating by

[Jdrummer]

I've seen some ice chunks the length of semis come through the roller! ice,trees,tires,chip bags, you name it with the floodingthats gunna happen this year I thing march 20th is gunna have a wicked current??? That's when we r planning on bringin the MEGA Hawk down