Willard Bay

[fish_fear_me2]

I haven't done much fishing since my son passed away in March but after reading all the reports on Willard I thought I might give it a shot. Wiperhunter2 had just posted a successful trip so I shot him a PM to see if I could get any pointers. He invited me to fish with him today and I couldn't say No. We hit the water about 8 AM and landed the first walleye shortly after. We totaled 7 Walleye, 8 wipers and a bonus perch. Largest walleye at just over 20 inches and the largest wiper we kept at 17 1/2. For me it was a fantastic catching day. Thank you Curtis it was a pleasure fishing with you and I might have even learned a couple new tricks. Have a great fish story on that last wiper of the day.
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[wiperhunter2]

Enjoyed getting out on the Bay with you today Brent. It was a little buggy but the fishing was decent. Water temp got up to 72* before we got off the water. Did you measure that perch? I guess that last wiper you caught wasn't too much bigger than the ones you caught and it had a great story behind it, since no one ask you I'll tell everyone what happened. We had been trolling the Openness all day and were heading back to the South marina when the last fish of the day decided it wanted to play, the side planner went under, Brent's rod slammed down but just as suddenly it sprang back up but the line was limp. Brent reeled in to find a broken line so we turned around to pick up the side planner, we got back to the area where we last saw it, only to find it was gone, we went back threw the area again and still no luck finding the board. It accrued to me that the fish might still be connected to the board and was swimming away, so we broaden the search and sure enough, there it was being pulled along behind the wiper. We got in close to the board and Brent gently netted the board and I started hand reeling in the line. I don't think the fish knew it was caught until the last few feet of line but the fight was one. Lucky for me the wiper was tired from towing that planner board around[] and Brent was able to net it. Fun times at the bay for sure.
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[Old_Coot]

I love that story guys.

I've been super busy this season and haven't fished a single time yet. But I hope to change that tomorrow. Taking a couple buddies out to Willard. Wish I hadn't missed all the hot wiper fishing. But hey, that's life. Maybe next year.
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[wiperhunter2]

I've been wondering what happened to you. If conditions hold, the fishing will remain good for a few more days, then it will slow down for the Summer but this has been the best catching I have seen there in nearly 20 years of fishing the lake. Try fishing with deep running lures. Wipers are a little bigger this year but few of the 20 inchers are being caught by trollers. Average wiper has been 14 to 18", average eye is 16 to 19". Now throw in a few crappie up to 12" and now a perch, all while trolling and you got the makings of a good year at Willard. Good luck out there tomorrow and remember your head net for the nats.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Glad you guys got to "hook up"...pardon the expression. You couldn't have chosen a better captain of Willardology.

But...did you HAVE to post a picture of him? This is a family forum you know. You gonna scare women and children.
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