Willard

[familyteacher]

Hey I just got a new boat, and I'm taking it on its maiden voyage tomorrow morning to Willard got any tips on this early season fishing for wipers? I actually don't really care what I catch I just want to get into some fish and I didn't start fishing Willard until last summer so I missed all the early fishing there
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[wiperhunter2]

Try trolling slow with bottom bouncers & worm harnesses or bait fish with mussels. It's pretty tough out there this time of the year but fish can be caught. Good luck and congratulations on the new boat.
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[fish_hntr]

[quote familyteacher]Hey I just got a new boat, and I'm taking it on its maiden voyage tomorrow morning to Willard got any tips on this early season fishing for wipers? I actually don't really care what I catch I just want to get into some fish and I didn't start fishing Willard until last summer so I missed all the early fishing there[/quote]

If you strike out on wipers head over to the west wall/dike, tie on a chartreuse/green jig head with a piece of crawler over the hook, and just drift fish about 40-60 feet from the rocks with the jig head just cruising the bottom. I was new to Willard last year as well and tried this on the second trip, had catfish on the line every 3 minutes or so and turned around an otherwise slow afternoon.
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[familyteacher]

Thanks both of you I really appreciate it!
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[BrigfishJR]

I was out there Thursday fishing on shore along the west dike just south of the light pole. Not even a bite on worms, cut bait or gulp minnows. Talked to a dwr biologist at the South Marina who had been out there netting for walleye to gather info prior to their run. He said they are over there and they are looking good for the year. Once the water warms a bit more it should get fun.
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[familyteacher]

Yeah we unfortunately struck out today but it was warm and calm and I was very happy with how the new boat performed. I hope the catch rate was not a bad omen in future fishing days though ha ha. We tried bottom bouncing harnesses, dragging some jogs as we drift and some crank baits as well but it was not meant to be. We varied speeds from 1.5-3.5 (when we were bottom bouncing which I am new to we didn't go any fast than 2, but mostly 1.5-1.8 mph.
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[fish_hntr]

Were you guys on the lone boat we saw out there around 4:30, or one of the boats we saw heading south on I-15 around the same time? We drove by there on our way to dinner at Maddox's in Brigham City today and looked like calm waters with a great sunset, glad you got out though and had a good time even if you didn't reel one in.
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[familyteacher]

We actually were off the water by 10:30 am i had to be back for work
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[wiperhunter2]

There were lots of BFT members out there yesterday, I'm sure you were in good company smelling the skuck[]. Just an FYI, normally while bottom bouncing you should not go over 1.1 mph, we troll from .5 to 1.1, if you troll faster than that it is hard to keep the BBer on the bottom. Do you have a pic of what your boat looks like?
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[familyteacher]

That is good to know I am very new at the bottom bouncing thanks for the info. And yes it's not the greatest pic but here it is
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[wiperhunter2]

Looks nice from the inside, do you have a pic from the outside? What kind of boat is it?
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[familyteacher]

I actually don't ha but it's a pro master 2000 Travis edition, it's 21 ft and a HUGE upgrade from my little bass boat I sold earlier this year. Ill post some pictures when I get some time to take them. I'm hoping to make a trip out somewhere Tuesday and/or wednesday this week not sure where yet
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[wiperhunter2]

Does it look anything like this pic?
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[familyteacher]

Yes a newer model but same type
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