07-05-2006, 11:32 AM
[cool][#0000ff]Welcome aboard. We have much fun here.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I probably fish the Willard Kitties as much as anyone, and I even catch a few, so I'll chime in. My generalized statement is that it is harder to find an area without cats...willing to bite...than it is to get skunked. They are everywhere and they eat anything.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That being said, some spots are better FISHING than others. In other words, there are place where you will catch more fish with fewer problems with the power squadron. Basically, the farther you get away from the marina entrances the less water activity you will have. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, there can be some good cat action close to the marinas too. Timing can be a factor. I float tube mostly and I try to hit the water about sunup. From then until late morning, there is usually a pretty active bite both next to the rocks and out into as much as 16 feet of water. Some of the best early action is on the shallow flats...from 8 feet to 12 feet of water. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Slowly drifting and dragging bait...if the breeze is not a problem...can put you over more fish than anchoring and casting. That is unless you can find a honey hole. The fish are sometimes as scattered as the wipers. You will catch one here and there, but seldom a major concentration. But, they do cruise around while actively feeding and if you anchor up in a good "zone" you will have a steady procession of fish coming through.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have found lots of fish all over the lake, but the areas around the lightpole, the southwest corner and in the northeast corner have always been best. The areas directly out from both Pelican Beach and Eagle Beach can also be good, but definitely get a lot of PWC traffic by mid mornings on most days.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The area to the south of Pelican Beach, just where the greenery meets the beginning of the east dike, can also be very productive. Move around and check depths and keep fishing until you find the fish. Then, that is a good spot to anchor up. Not too much boat traffic and a natural fish concentration spot.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The cats hit crawlers, shrimp, carp meat, minnows and almost all the standard Utah stuff. Carry some plain old wieners along too. Cut pieces of hot dogs are often "the cat's meow". No mustard or relish necessary.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I always prefer to fish without weight and let the fish run line off the open bail a bit before setting the hook. Sometimes they "gulp and go", and many of the fish will be deep hooked. Other times they "pop and drop"...not taking the bait the first time but returning to hit it several times before getting it inside their mouth good enough for a hook set. Some of those finicky kitties can drive you wacko when they wanna play with their food. You set the hook in a lot of water but not as much fish flesh.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck. Let us know how the trip turns out. Also, you need never be hesitant about asking questions on this forum. With a "few exceptions", most of us try to give good answers. But then, some of us are likely to overdo it too. Don't know who that could be.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I probably fish the Willard Kitties as much as anyone, and I even catch a few, so I'll chime in. My generalized statement is that it is harder to find an area without cats...willing to bite...than it is to get skunked. They are everywhere and they eat anything.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That being said, some spots are better FISHING than others. In other words, there are place where you will catch more fish with fewer problems with the power squadron. Basically, the farther you get away from the marina entrances the less water activity you will have. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But, there can be some good cat action close to the marinas too. Timing can be a factor. I float tube mostly and I try to hit the water about sunup. From then until late morning, there is usually a pretty active bite both next to the rocks and out into as much as 16 feet of water. Some of the best early action is on the shallow flats...from 8 feet to 12 feet of water. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Slowly drifting and dragging bait...if the breeze is not a problem...can put you over more fish than anchoring and casting. That is unless you can find a honey hole. The fish are sometimes as scattered as the wipers. You will catch one here and there, but seldom a major concentration. But, they do cruise around while actively feeding and if you anchor up in a good "zone" you will have a steady procession of fish coming through.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have found lots of fish all over the lake, but the areas around the lightpole, the southwest corner and in the northeast corner have always been best. The areas directly out from both Pelican Beach and Eagle Beach can also be good, but definitely get a lot of PWC traffic by mid mornings on most days.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The area to the south of Pelican Beach, just where the greenery meets the beginning of the east dike, can also be very productive. Move around and check depths and keep fishing until you find the fish. Then, that is a good spot to anchor up. Not too much boat traffic and a natural fish concentration spot.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The cats hit crawlers, shrimp, carp meat, minnows and almost all the standard Utah stuff. Carry some plain old wieners along too. Cut pieces of hot dogs are often "the cat's meow". No mustard or relish necessary.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I always prefer to fish without weight and let the fish run line off the open bail a bit before setting the hook. Sometimes they "gulp and go", and many of the fish will be deep hooked. Other times they "pop and drop"...not taking the bait the first time but returning to hit it several times before getting it inside their mouth good enough for a hook set. Some of those finicky kitties can drive you wacko when they wanna play with their food. You set the hook in a lot of water but not as much fish flesh.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck. Let us know how the trip turns out. Also, you need never be hesitant about asking questions on this forum. With a "few exceptions", most of us try to give good answers. But then, some of us are likely to overdo it too. Don't know who that could be.[/#0000ff]
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