Willard Wednesday 8/21

[RockyRaab2]

Had planned to hit either Echo or Hyrum today for bass. But both are low and dropping, according to reports. Hit Willard instead. Arrived at 7 to see "footer" waves rolling from the SE. Launched and motored over to the far dikes to see if I could drift parallel to them. Not quite. Had to spend a lot of time bumping the trolling motor to stay off the rocks, but had a dink smallie in the boat within s few minutes. They always find a Ned rig irresistible. 

Lost the Ned on a rock and tied on a mini spinner bait. Just as the wind really picked up, went serious bendo. (Why do I always catch the monsters on my smallest rods?) Fought it and the wind until both of us were exhausted. Finally got offshore enough to get the big cat in the net. Didn't tape him, but looked to be well over 26" based on my net rim. 

Couldn't hold a direct line back to the north marina because of the whitecaps breaking over my gunwale. Angled in parallel to the waves and then angled to the buoys. My Tracker Classic is NOT a big wave boat. Still got soaked. 

The cleaning station bozos left it clogged again. I got it partly cleared by repeatedly dropping my cat's carcass in until some of the clog broke. Still not perfectly cleared. Best I could do. What few fishing boats had launched were all coming in, but one skier was launching as I left. I never did notice water temps and ignored my fish finders. Home by 11.

[TubeDude]

Had planned to hit either Echo or Hyrum today for bass. But both are low and dropping, according to reports. Hit Willard instead. Arrived at 7 to see "footer" waves rolling from the SE. Launched and motored over to the far dikes to see if I could drift parallel to them. Not quite. Had to spend a lot of time bumping the trolling motor to stay off the rocks, but had a dink smallie in the boat within s few minutes. They always find a Ned rig irresistible. 

Lost the Ned on a rock and tied on a mini spinner bait. Just as the wind really picked up, went serious bendo. (Why do I always catch the monsters on my smallest rods?) Fought it and the wind until both of us were exhausted. Finally got offshore enough to get the big cat in the net. Didn't tape him, but looked to be well over 26" based on my net rim. 

Couldn't hold a direct line back to the north marina because of the whitecaps breaking over my gunwale. Angled in parallel to the waves and then angled to the buoys. My Tracker Classic is NOT a big wave boat. Still got soaked. 

The cleaning station bozos left it clogged again. I got it partly cleared by repeatedly dropping my cat's carcass in until some of the clog broke. Still not perfectly cleared. Best I could do. What few fishing boats had launched were all coming in, but one skier was launching as I left. I never did notice water temps and ignored my fish finders. Home by 11.

Bummer.  Sorry you got "winded".  Glad I listened to my inner voice and bagged my planned trip.  I hate it when I launch at Willard and have to be rescued out in the Great Salt Lake.  Wind and float tubes are not compatible.

[smokepoles]

Had planned to hit either Echo or Hyrum today for bass. But both are low and dropping, according to reports. Hit Willard instead. Arrived at 7 to see "footer" waves rolling from the SE. Launched and motored over to the far dikes to see if I could drift parallel to them. Not quite. Had to spend a lot of time bumping the trolling motor to stay off the rocks, but had a dink smallie in the boat within s few minutes. They always find a Ned rig irresistible. 

Lost the Ned on a rock and tied on a mini spinner bait. Just as the wind really picked up, went serious bendo. (Why do I always catch the monsters on my smallest rods?) Fought it and the wind until both of us were exhausted. Finally got offshore enough to get the big cat in the net. Didn't tape him, but looked to be well over 26" based on my net rim. 

Couldn't hold a direct line back to the north marina because of the whitecaps breaking over my gunwale. Angled in parallel to the waves and then angled to the buoys. My Tracker Classic is NOT a big wave boat. Still got soaked. 

The cleaning station bozos left it clogged again. I got it partly cleared by repeatedly dropping my cat's carcass in until some of the clog broke. Still not perfectly cleared. Best I could do. What few fishing boats had launched were all coming in, but one skier was launching as I left. I never did notice water temps and ignored my fish finders. Home by 11.

Indeed Hyrum is low but can still easily launch as clear from the power squad who was out early the last couple days, maybe getting in last horrah before school gets in full swing here in Cache Valley or to beat the afternoon t-storms that have been popping up.  Still, the fish are somewhere in what water there is  .  Guess you pick your poison - find the wind waves on Willard or the power squad bathtub of Hyrum.

[lovetofish]

Too bad about your trip being ruined by the wind. I had wind problems at East Canyon on Monday but not as bad as you explained. I believe it's supposed to be windy for the next few days. I hear ya about your boat not being wind compatible neither is my 16 ft Bass Tracker Panfish. Besides that, I don't like to launch and reload when I fish alone. I usually just take my 9ft Sea Eagle rubber boat, but I watch the wind real close. Like what TubeDude wrote the wind can pick you up and move you quickly even when using an electric trolling motor. 

You might consider East Canyon for bass. My nephew and his son did really well fishing for bass last week fishing the west shore. Throwing crankbaits toward shore and retrieving to the boat.

Good luck on your next trip.

[BURLEY]

I too hit Willard today a little after 6am to the foot tall waves. I waited until 6:30 before deciding to fight the wind and head to Freeway bay, where yesterday I had a three species day with 6 small wipers, 2 smallies, and a walleye. I motored to the SE  corner and let the wind blow me back North. Trolled at 2.3mph-3.25mph. I only got 1 small wiper and 2 smallies at 5 inches. Only caught the fish at the 3.25mph speed trolling small cranks with a 1 oz. sinker about 2 feet up the line. A J5 jointed rapala in FT was hot Tuesday until I lost it.
Left the water about 9am when whitecaps showed up. Water temp. was 74.8F. Some boils spotted Tuesday.

[fmrusmc]

Had planned to hit either Echo or Hyrum today for bass. But both are low and dropping, according to reports. Hit Willard instead. Arrived at 7 to see "footer" waves rolling from the SE. Launched and motored over to the far dikes to see if I could drift parallel to them. Not quite. Had to spend a lot of time bumping the trolling motor to stay off the rocks, but had a dink smallie in the boat within s few minutes. They always find a Ned rig irresistible. 

Lost the Ned on a rock and tied on a mini spinner bait. Just as the wind really picked up, went serious bendo. (Why do I always catch the monsters on my smallest rods?) Fought it and the wind until both of us were exhausted. Finally got offshore enough to get the big cat in the net. Didn't tape him, but looked to be well over 26" based on my net rim. 

Couldn't hold a direct line back to the north marina because of the whitecaps breaking over my gunwale. Angled in parallel to the waves and then angled to the buoys. My Tracker Classic is NOT a big wave boat. Still got soaked. 

The cleaning station bozos left it clogged again. I got it partly cleared by repeatedly dropping my cat's carcass in until some of the clog broke. Still not perfectly cleared. Best I could do. What few fishing boats had launched were all coming in, but one skier was launching as I left. I never did notice water temps and ignored my fish finders. Home by 11.

Was that you trolling north to south by the north marina? My son and I were close to you in the black and brown Lund. We caught one cat and 6 white bass. Water temp was 76 degrees.

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Had planned to hit either Echo or Hyrum today for bass. But both are low and dropping, according to reports. Hit Willard instead. Arrived at 7 to see "footer" waves rolling from the SE. Launched and motored over to the far dikes to see if I could drift parallel to them. Not quite. Had to spend a lot of time bumping the trolling motor to stay off the rocks, but had a dink smallie in the boat within s few minutes. They always find a Ned rig irresistible. 

Lost the Ned on a rock and tied on a mini spinner bait. Just as the wind really picked up, went serious bendo. (Why do I always catch the monsters on my smallest rods?) Fought it and the wind until both of us were exhausted. Finally got offshore enough to get the big cat in the net. Didn't tape him, but looked to be well over 26" based on my net rim. 

Couldn't hold a direct line back to the north marina because of the whitecaps breaking over my gunwale. Angled in parallel to the waves and then angled to the buoys. My Tracker Classic is NOT a big wave boat. Still got soaked. 

The cleaning station bozos left it clogged again. I got it partly cleared by repeatedly dropping my cat's carcass in until some of the clog broke. Still not perfectly cleared. Best I could do. What few fishing boats had launched were all coming in, but one skier was launching as I left. I never did notice water temps and ignored my fish finders. Home by 11.

Was that you trolling north to south by the north marina? My son and I were close to you in the black and brown Lund. We caught one cat and 6 white bass. Water temp was 76 degrees.

[RockyRaab2]

No, I saw that little tinner, and he was still out there when I left. Brave guy. My Tracker is black.

[fmrusmc]

No, I saw that little tinner, and he was still out there when I left. Brave guy. My Tracker is black.

We were thinking the same thing. Brave guy. He looked like he had some trouble in those waves.

[BURLEY]

No, I saw that little tinner, and he was still out there when I left. Brave guy. My Tracker is black.

He was the first to launch. While he was launching, I asked him about the wind. He laughed and said that it keeps the bugs down. I was in the red Tracker and kept an eye on him every once in a while. He was out in the middle of the North area when I left. Small whitecaps were happening.

[TubeDude]

There are OLD fishermen...and BOLD fishermen.

But there ain't many OLD-BOLD fishermen.

Discretion is the better part of cowardice.

[luan87us]

I've been wanting to hit up Willard with my kayak (no trolling motor) to try and get some wipers. Is it still worth it right now? Or is the wiper fishing pretty much done for the year? I guess the bigger issue would be to find a calm day to go.

[fmrusmc]

No, I saw that little tinner, and he was still out there when I left. Brave guy. My Tracker is black.

We were thinking the same thing. Brave guy. He looked like he had some trouble in those waves.

[RockyRaab2]

Damn glad I didn't go today, to Willard or Echo. Not just windier, but a pretty severe T'storm went right over Echo about 11 am.

As a pilot, I learned to never fight the weather gods. The best you can achieve is a draw.

[fmrusmc]

Damn glad I didn't go today, to Willard or Echo. Not just windier, but a pretty severe T'storm went right over Echo about 11 am.

As a pilot, I learned to never fight the weather gods. The best you can achieve is a draw.

That was probably pretty smart. The kid and I are hitting the gorge for the day tomorrow. Hopefully the weather holds.