38 Specials at Willard

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Caught 3 catfish in 38 degree water at Willard today. They were special. They were all I caught during 5 hours of aggressive prospecting.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Wildcat94 and I hit Willard Bay north marina this morning. Launched about 8:30. Air temp was 24 at launch and warmed to the flip number of 42 when we got off the water about 1:30. Noticed some ice forming along the edges of the south shoreline inside the marina. Won't be long.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We both started inside the marina and worked both the docks and the open areas. Very few fish on sonar inside but Bryce did find some crappie schooled up at the docks. Just couldn't get them to open their little mouths. Nada, Zip, Zilch, Zero. Me too nothing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]No bites at all inside the marina for me. Bryce had a couple of pop and drops on bait. I kicked outside and worked the humps outside the marina. Saw some fish in 16 feet of water but again, no takers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Dragged a minnow on one rod while tossing a bunch of different plastics on the other. Finally got my first runner on bait about 11:30. Cookie cutter kitty. Skunk repellent. I was getting worried.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Got two more of the same over the next hour or so and then we had to leave. That was when the cold west wind laid down and it got glassy. Standard.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Wildcat94 stayed inside the harbor and even got out of the water and walked the docks, trying to bag a crappie or two. Didn't do any better on foot. Just one of those days...or nights. Full moon last night for those that might want to use it as an excuse.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]All in all a pretty day. Better spent on the water than at home. Got enough cookies for a kitty grill for me and TubeBabe. Good enough.[/#0000ff]
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[pkred]

Your hard core Tubedude. Cool pics. Is that green cable to hold the fish on the sushi board?
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[TubeDude]

[quote pkred]Your hard core Tubedude. Cool pics. Is that green cable to hold the fish on the sushi board?[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]That is stretch cord that runs under the plastic for support.[/#0000ff]
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[Stickhorse]

If I grow up I want to be you so bad. You have more fish in your basket than I have caught all year. Awesome setup and report.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Thanks.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Sorry to hear you have had a bad year. You need to go fishing more often. Practice is definitely important...as long as you practice the right way. [/#0000ff]
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[LloydE]

I can't believe that you are still tubing! What a guy! I want to do what you are doing. You said that my Neoprene waders were the wrong kind for tubing. What is the right kind, and who sells the right kind?
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[catfish-logic]

38 Specials at Willard:

When I read the title to this post I thought you were referring to a bra you snagged at Willard.Or the rock group called "38 Special" was playing live at the state park. Or you caught a 38 inch walleye!

Well well well you sure know how to get 'em while Santa is preparing to deliver toys to all the girls and boys.[laugh]

You set a fine example of a fisherman that can catch cats even in cold weather, congratulations.[fishin]
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[TubeDude]

[quote LloydE]I can't believe that you are still tubing! What a guy! I want to do what you are doing. You said that my Neoprene waders were the wrong kind for tubing. What is the right kind, and who sells the right kind?[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]Just about it for tubing this year. I don't have an ice auger big enough to cut a hole for my tube.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That is the reason why this is not the best time to be shopping for tubing waders either. All of the stores and online suppliers have let their stock of waders sell down and have very little left. They are selling ice fishing supplies and Christmas goodies.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Shoot me a PM and I will pass on a couple of thoughts. I just had to replace my neoprenes and I had to return two pairs that did not fit until I got one that did. You gotta get ROOMY waders for tubing. Yours are tight fitting waders for folks who stand in a stream and wanna look good.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, with good waders and proper layering I can fish all day in water that is only a calm night away from freezing solid. Some of the best fishing of the year on many waters.[/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

"You set a fine example of a fisherman that can catch cats even in cold weather, congratulations"

[cool][#0000ff]Thanks...I think.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Actually there is a popular stereotype that you can only catch catfish during the warm months of summer. I catch them 12 months a year, including through the ice at both Utah Lake and Willard Bay. Channel cats do not go dormant and stop feeding in cold water like their big cousins, the flatheads.[/#0000ff]
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[Addicted2eyes]

what kind of fish finder do you have that tells you what kind of fish is under the docks (crappie) i want one [] or do you like to speculate alot.
it is your right to tell all, about all you do and to show pics, but as was said in history "loose Lips Sink Ships"
it is ok to teach the masses but one does not need to be in the stage lights all the time, some times one can learn by being kept in the dark and find there own way into the light.
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[TubeDude]

[quote fishn4eyes]what kind of fish finder do you have that tells you what kind of fish is under the docks (crappie) i want one [] or do you like to speculate alot.
it is your right to tell all, about all you do and to show pics, but as was said in history "loose Lips Sink Ships"
it is ok to teach the masses but one does not need to be in the stage lights all the time, some times one can learn by being kept in the dark and find there own way into the light.[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]Your post came off as being a bit confrontational. But, I will assume you are just poking a bit of fun at an easy target. Since I don't take myself too seriously, I won't take offense at your comments.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]1. There is no accurate way to determine what kind of fish are showing up on your sonar screen. But, from over 30 years of experience fishing crappies on Willard I have a pretty good idea of how they act and how they show up on sonar. No other species in the lake schools like they do...from top to bottom in tight schools...under docks or over structure. I might have been wrong. Coulda been piranhas.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]2. I do not post my reports to "be on stage". I do so to provide helpful information to others who might want or need it. But, the information I share is usually generalized and is not going to ruin any fishery. The "average" angler could not take what I posted and run up to Willard and deplete the lake of crappies. Heck, even the best crappieholics in the state still have trouble catching them when they have crappie lockjaw.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]3. I would take your jabs more seriously if you had more history of providing useful information rather than just responding to others in a negative tone.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]This forum is for everyone who wants to read it and anybody who wants to respond or ask questions. Unlike many other forums we do not discourage newbies or someone who asks questions that may have been covered before. And, if any of us posts information that others think is "bush league" or dumb, they don't have to read it...or respond. With all of the new anglers developing and all of the new BFT lurkers and members, there is always someone who can benefit by almost anything that is posted.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Sorry if I gave away your personal honey hole or divulged all of your secrets. How many crappies have you caught out of Willard recently? Hmmmm?[/#0000ff]
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[spoondog]

[#0000ff]This forum is for everyone who wants to read it and anybody who wants to respond or ask questions. Unlike many other forums we do not discourage newbies or someone who asks questions that may have been covered before. And, if any of us posts information that others think is "bush league" or dumb, they don't have to read it...or respond. With all of the new anglers developing and all of the new BFT lurkers and members, there is always someone who can benefit by almost anything that is posted.[/#0000ff]
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+1
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[Stickhorse]

Keep up the posts Pat. I've always enjoyed reading them and and looking at the photos. I don't profess to be a very good fisherman. Ranching has been my excuse. But i'm better than I was because of alot of things I've learned from your posts.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Thanks. I appreciate your appreciation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have already received a PM from my "fan club" letting me know that I am responsible for ruining all of the good fishing spots in Utah and that I am really a second rate fisherman compared to all of the fish he catches...but chooses not to share with others. I guess I should just jump off my float tube and make his world a better place.[/#0000ff]
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[Addicted2eyes]

[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]Thanks. I appreciate your appreciation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have already received a PM from my "fan club" letting me know that I am responsible for ruining all of the good fishing spots in Utah and that I am really a second rate fisherman compared to all of the fish he catches...but chooses not to share with others. I guess I should just jump off my float tube and make his world a better place.[/#0000ff][/quote]
[mad] ok more stories , i did not blame YOU there are far worse peolpe doing far worse things then you are doing i just noted that it can aid in this type of actions taking place ! further more you called me on how many fish you catch versus me, not the other way around, so Pat just keep the facts strait and lets not fluff it up to make sound any better for you and any worse for me,
why cant people just handle the dang truth, oh and if you still doubt my fish i catch just ask your friend wild cat about my crappie..................[]

finally again this was not to be a slander so as a moderator lets not take to being that against me because of a comment in which i have a RIGHT to make......!!
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