Decided to get on the the water before the weather turns cold and wet again tomorrow. Launched at south marina. Had the place totally to myself for as far as I could see till about 1100 A.M. Air temp at launch 30 deg F, water temp in the marina 47.7 Still plenty of water for launching, about 2 feet at the end of the center ramp, 6 fow at the docks, and 10 to 15 fow out the channel. Main body depth 11 to 18 fow in the areas I was. Had no game plan, just wandered around the water between marina and island and south rock pile and feed lot. Picked up one cookie cutter Cat at north end of the island slow trolling a crawdad colored rat-l-trap. That's it, nothin more so I pulled out about 1 P.M. Water temp warmed to about 55 deg when I left.
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[#0000FF]It's good there are some playful kitties in Willard or we would both have a few more skunks to cry about.
Glad to hear you are giving up on Willard. I'll have less competition for my fall fishing. But, I don't troll.
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One of the nicest days we had all week, yesterday. I did a little of most every tactic I know or have equipment for. Trolled, drifted, bait fished with worms, Mussels, last few pieces of cut carp I had from the river. Saw lots of fish, but they all must have been too cold or too well fed or contracted lock-jaw. Haven't given up altogether on Willard, just don't think I'm gonna get too many more chances to get on the water.
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[#0000FF]Sounds like my trip to Starvation earlier in the week. Lovely weather but lousy fishing.
I wonder if we will see any of those chunky perch this year at Willard. Had one day of a half dozen of them last year. Would also like to find a few fall crappies and a walleye or two. If not, I will settle for a few more tugs from those everlovin' kitties. They eat good.
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They do eat good. Would have kept the one yesterday, but the cleaning stations are all closed for the season. Didn't want to take him home to clean.
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My son and I launched out of the South marina around 10:30 yesterday (19th) hadn't had the Crestliner out since Father's Day. Both engines fired right up, we headed out just cruising the lake for the first bit hoping possibly to spot any wiper boils but no such luck. The main reason for the trip out was to check both motors out and top the 60 gallon fuel tank off with non ethanol fuel and add Sta-bil to the tank and run the motors for a while. We started fishing a bit after 11:00 with water temp at 54 degrees. Trolled freeway bay and then West toward the island finishing off along the West dike about 2:30. We had no luck and spotted a few fish in some of my favorite areas but no takers, a lot of shad schools scattered about so I'm sure they are getting the bellies full of shad when they get hungry. Water temp was 55.6 when we headed in. Boat is stored until spring.
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Tin-Can, say it ain't so. Another good month of fishing at Willard. I had a shoulder operated on a month ago, so I've been limited. Lost the sling today so as soon as it was up I'm back in my tube. Here's a couple pictures TD took last December.
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Larry, you got more nerve than I do that's for sure. I really dislike cold, wet weather and I'm not even in t he water like you and TD are in your tubes. I will possibly get out a few more times between now and the freeze up, but not in the kind of weather that was in your photos [:/]
Do more bank tangling before the freeze.
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[#0000FF]That trip was on December 16th last year. Water temp as seen in one of the attached pics was 35 degrees. The harbor was already half frozen and it froze solid the next week.
But we did score some porky perch.
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Well, like I told Larry, you guys got more nerve than I do for that kind of weather. Just checked the weather guessers report and looks to be a fair day today. Think I'll go get the boat out and get up to Willard. Try the north end this time.
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I did get out on Willard north this morning but wind chased me back off. Think is ran 2 or 3 others off also. Went up to Bear River with boat attached, but just washed worms from the bank in a couple places. Nothing caught today.
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You guys are making me feel better about not getting out much lately. My crappie spot shut down, well except for sunfish, but they are only 5-6"ers so not too exciting, but I'm still glad for a tug these days. Only got 3 of them so it's pretty slow. Hope to start getting out more I need a few good tugs. Later J
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Jeff, you set a date for the Catfish Awards dinner ?
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Yup post on main board lists it November 9th at 5:00 if that works. Later Jeff
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