A nice batch of saugers.

Great Sauger video from Everets Resort in Redw Wing on the Mississippi River.

Sauger

A typical Illinois River Sauger.

Most Sauger bite the common jig and meno. I love the fireball in firetiger pattern with a fathead minnow.

But dont count out some tried and true methods like pullin 3 ways, river 3 way trolling, leadcore trolling.  Plus lots of artificials work like blade baits, crankbaits, spoons, flies and such.  If you can get it down, down as in bottom 8 inches of water, you goona get some fish. Every technique has a time and place.

Key tactics:

1.  Jig and minnow.  Dark colors on dark days, bright colors on bright days, slippin the current.

2. Keep an eye out on the depth and replicate throughout the river.  12 feet here, will hold fish 12 feet there.

3.  Consistency.  Remember  your cadence when jigging.  Is it pop, pop.  Or snap, pop, snap. Or slow up and down. Or drag.

4. Get comfortable with two jigging rods. Have them set up the same, ie reel, line and rod.  I love the 5 '9 Avid with extra fast action.