How’s the Bite?

Brave the Weather - Fish and You Shall Catch

The February Summer has been interrupted by Winter.  However, if you can brave the wind and cold, the fish are biting.  We check with The Landing Barge that is below Lock and Dam 10 at Guttenberg. ($20 per person.  Open 7-5 Daily.  See Jamie at Gas Dock)
Bob sings happy birthday to Bennie.  
Benny berates Bob and demands higher pay.
Bob acts like he is a nice guy and will pay it (?)  
Twenty minutes of fishing news that makes you think the weather is warm and mild.  Drawing for $60 gift cert and goodies for those who sent in a photo of "Chasin trophies".
Stay tuned
Sincerely, The meek and mild and the wet and wild and the old and cold.
Good Luck and Good Fishing.

Mississippi is Ice Free - Fishing is Moderate - Midwest Walleye Challenge

Bob Urbain will be at the State Fairgrounds 4-H building in Des Moines this weekend for a Swap Meet and Sport Show.  See him there Saturday and Sunday
He's been fishing on the big river all week and has fisherman's elbow to prove it.
Moderate fishing for walleye and perch.
Midwest Walleye Challenge is greatly expanded this year.  Jeff Kopaska has details.  It can be a free entry and prizes given.  Runs from March 30 to June 30.  Interview with Jeff is in the show.
Good Luck and Good Fishing

Open Water - Good Weather - How Sweet It Is

The winter of 2024 is either past tense or interrupted by springtime.
Trust no one, even Mother Nature, but, for now, open water and warm temps have a lot of fishermen looking at barges and boats.
Bob is selling bait, tackle, batteries and honey.
A great talk with the Honey Lady at the Overlook south of Guttenberg.  Carol O'Brien is a character and a (driven) businesswoman.  I think she has a sister who has same work ethic.  
Good Luck and Good Fishing.

Big Crappie-Northern Pike-Open Water

The key word is water.  February weather remains warmer than normal.  Ice fishing is risky in most places on the Mississippi River near Guttenberg.  Boats are going in where the ramps are open.
Big Crappie are being caught.
Small bluegills have to be culled to get a good stringer full of keepers.
Northern Pike are first to start spawn so they are filling up with shad minnows.
Bob is off to sport shows this month.
A satisfied customer, Bill Miller, told me all about his experiences at Murrays.
He looks forward to meeting Bob.  I tried to dampen his expectations.
 

Kiss Your Ice Good Bye

Open Water on the Mississippi has some fishermen getting ready to look for Walleye and Sauger.  Ice Fishing is only recommended on Bussey Lake (Mississippi Backwater three miles north of Guttenberg)
Bob likes the Hawkeye Women's Basketball but still highly critical of boring men's Basketball and, of course, Football.
We talk with Tanner Spiedel about his antler hunting, ice fishing, Kayak promoting and LOVE life.  He is so cool!  I want to be him when I grow young again.
Please ask Bob if he has any new jokes.  
If you hear the show and like it, please tell Bob Urbain at Murray Outdoors.
If not, keep it to yourself.  People like you are the problem in today's society.
 

Ice Fishing Is ON! But it may not last

El Nino weather is in charge of this winter's ice.  
Bob Urbain at Murray Outdoors is the Main Attraction in Guttenberg as he has the bait, equipment and knowledge of where the fish are biting and the condition of the ice.   He even takes a phone call during the podcast and he teaches a man how to use a Vexilar (fish finder) while talking to me.
We have a meteorologist who makes sense out of this weather.  Mike Smith knows his stuff and puts it in perspective.  He also has a forecast for the remainder of winter.
Listen and learn.....Go fishing and enjoy this (brief) peak season.  
Bob and Ken

Are You Ready? Good Ice-Warmer Weather

Finally, the ice is thick enough for fishing.. Warmer Weather is coming next week.  Bob Urbain has details on ice and fishing conditions.
He will also be a major celebrity on "The Short Rod Show"  
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-short-rod-show-an-ice-fishing-podcast/id1487340220
Good Luck and Good Fishing.   Be Safe.

Finally! Very Cold but Ice Fishiing Begins Soon

Bob is on ice.    Hear his report.
Many fishermen are on edge.   Counseling and Anxiety Medications available.
The Big River is Freezing with snow slush and ice all mixed together.
Safety remains a big concern.  One incident this past week.  Hyperthermia.
 

Ice Is Coming! New Year New Adventures

Murray Outdoors is stocked to the gills with Ice Fishing Equipment.  Bob talks us through some neat stuff.
We go to Busse Lake (backwaters of Mississippi River at Guttenberg) to evaluate the thin ice.  About a half inch on 12-5-24.
Our featured guest has a service to get bats out of your house, raccoons out of your attic and control the goose population in a humane way.  Kirk Stout owns and operates Wildlife Specialties.  
Come by Murray Outdoors on the South End of Guttenberg under the Big Walleye.
Open Monday-Saturday from 6 am to 5 pm       Sunday 6 am to 3 pm.
Good Luck and Good Fishing.    One week more before ice is safe...

Ice Fishing Safety-Two Survivors Tell Their Stories

Not much is scarier than falling through the ice into a river.  We talked to a first responder from Guttenberg  who has pulled fishermen out of the water.  We also found two men who stepped up and told us what happened to them as one or more of their party fell into the freezing water and had to fight their way to shore and out of the cold.  This show may be scary but we hope it is instructive so you will prepare for an emergency before you go.  
Bob talks about a float suit that one of our survivors was wearing.  Also the use of a spud bar, ice picks and standard life jackets to keep your head above water while you await rescue.
Let us know what you think.  send an email to kenroot@gmail.com