03-22-2015, 03:38 AM
First of all, let me start off by thanking those who have shared their knowledge and given input to help me finally catch wipers!
My brother and I launched at the North Marina shortly after 8:00 am today. The water temp was 51 degrees and the marina was 7' deep IN THE CENTER OF THE CHANNEL! I was dumb enough to get to far into the main harbor and ended up in 2 feet!!! When we left the harbor we headed southwest and started trolling raps 3 mph in 11' of water. We started catching walleye as soon as we let out. We have caught walleye in Willard before but these were big healthy fish unlike others we've caught in the past. After we hooked up with several fish, I was ready for my first wiper! As we got closer to the "light pole" my fishing pole started stripping line and I barely caught it before it went overboard. I thought I was snagged up at first, then the fight began! Just when I started to gain, the fish would run again. I hooked a 20lb channel cat in Utah Lake several years ago and was sure that's what it was. We were long lining so after about five minutes we finally had the fish to the boat. When we finally saw a big white flash, we knew it was a wiper and a good one. When my brother and I got it in the boat, it was like Christmas morning with a couple of 5 year olds. This was my first wiper ever and she tipped the scale at over 5lbs! This may not be a big deal for you wiper veterans, but it was a fishing milestone for me! Haha I finished out the day strong with a limit of wipers and 3 walleye. My brother finished with a 3lb wiper and 1 walleye. We also lost several other fish today??? A dark red/green fire tiger and purple rap worked the best for us today and the best fishing seemed to be where the people weren't. Once again, thanks for your help folks! It's always fun to learn how to catch a new fish species. I'm sure I will be doing it again soon!!!
[signature]
My brother and I launched at the North Marina shortly after 8:00 am today. The water temp was 51 degrees and the marina was 7' deep IN THE CENTER OF THE CHANNEL! I was dumb enough to get to far into the main harbor and ended up in 2 feet!!! When we left the harbor we headed southwest and started trolling raps 3 mph in 11' of water. We started catching walleye as soon as we let out. We have caught walleye in Willard before but these were big healthy fish unlike others we've caught in the past. After we hooked up with several fish, I was ready for my first wiper! As we got closer to the "light pole" my fishing pole started stripping line and I barely caught it before it went overboard. I thought I was snagged up at first, then the fight began! Just when I started to gain, the fish would run again. I hooked a 20lb channel cat in Utah Lake several years ago and was sure that's what it was. We were long lining so after about five minutes we finally had the fish to the boat. When we finally saw a big white flash, we knew it was a wiper and a good one. When my brother and I got it in the boat, it was like Christmas morning with a couple of 5 year olds. This was my first wiper ever and she tipped the scale at over 5lbs! This may not be a big deal for you wiper veterans, but it was a fishing milestone for me! Haha I finished out the day strong with a limit of wipers and 3 walleye. My brother finished with a 3lb wiper and 1 walleye. We also lost several other fish today??? A dark red/green fire tiger and purple rap worked the best for us today and the best fishing seemed to be where the people weren't. Once again, thanks for your help folks! It's always fun to learn how to catch a new fish species. I'm sure I will be doing it again soon!!!
[signature]
