Willard Floatilla 5-8-07

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]A small group of tubeaholics descended upon the south marina this morning. Myself, road, Fishboy2 and Flycasting met up and launched about 6:30 AM. 45 degree air temp and 53 degree water temp inside the harbor...57 at the mouth of the main lake.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Only a very light westerly breeze at launch. Road's anti-W dance must have done the job. The early chop died away as soon as the sun hit the water. We fished on slick surface most of the morning.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Flycasting was the first to launch and also scored the first fish, a CC cat (cookie cutter). Then we all went blank for about an hour. I threw all kinds of plastic and hardbaits, while dragging the traditional minnow. A couple of pop and drops, but that was it. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As everybody was dispersing in their own directions, I remained to fish the area that had produced last week. KABOOM. Major wiper battle on fire tiger diving minnow. Had it within a few feet of the tube when it suddenly forgot how to hang on and he lost me. Looked like somewhere between four and five pounds.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]No more wiper hits. Moved out into deeper water, where Flycasting was reporting on the walkie talkie that he was seeing fish on sonar and had put a couple more CC kitties in the basket. I kicked out into about 10 feet of water and I got a couple of cats fairly quickly too. Small ones that went back. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Over the next three hours we all covered a whole lotta lake. We almost all got catfish (except FB2) and Flycasting scored both a smallmouth and a largemouth. Road kept three cats for dinner and I released several and kept six myself. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As I started back toward the ramp, about 11, the line on my bait (minnow rod) began pouring off the open bail reel. I set the hook into something that had shoulders. Turned out to be a nice 21 inch wiper...our first for the day. Encouraged, I brought out one of my new prism taped blue back diving crankbaits. After a couple of inexperienced fish bumped but did not get stuck, I had a hard hit and a lovely slugfest fight with a 19" wiper. Fun Fun.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The water had warmed up to about 63 by the time we all kicked toward the ramp. That got some more action on hardbaits and everybody was getting hits, even if they did not bring in a fish for every hit.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Fun times. Only downer was that the $%#%& fish cleaning station at the south marina is still not open. Whazzup Widdat?[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[mactuna]

Looks like a great time Pat. Looks like the new lures worked well.
[signature]

[fish1on]

Very nice. I was thinking about being out there all day at work today. [unsure]

I hope to hit it this Saturday and Sunday, the heck with that honeydoo list.
[signature]

[Theekillerbee]

Looks like another great trip Pat. Thanks for the report.
[signature]

[Saberfish]

[black][size 3]As usual Pat, great report and pictures.[/size][/black]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]Wish that I could have been part of the party.[/size]
[signature]

[Flycasting]

Fun times Pat.

I am very jealous of the wipers! []
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Join us...when the doc clears ya.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]How are you doing?[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[Saberfish]

[black][size 3]Pat,[/size][/black]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]Starting to get around a little, this good weather will surely help.[/size]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]thanks for asking.[/size]
[signature]

[HookJaw_Brimhall]

Nice! Looks like you got a little bit of everything, except some eyes.
Nice Big mouth Ty!
[signature]

[fishboy2]

goos tale of the day my friend. but im affraid i must correct you, i caught the first cat out of me and road, then i match roads biggest. i did not have my basket with me so i put my fish in his basket. no wipers though...good day all in all. i would like to get into hordes of white bass soon. perhaps a UL trip is in need...may even bring the bow along...
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Sorry. That's what I get for listening to your dad. Shoulda knowed you were a better fisherman than that.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We will be going to Lindon Thursday if you can talk your dad into joining us. There will be carp there, I am sure.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Hope the reel works out for you.[/#0000ff]
[signature]