How long before the cats realy start to pick up at willard? I went friday and saterday. both from boat and dike. I did not get any and did not see any one else get any eather. what water temp do they need to really start going?
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I think they have started, but slowly. I few days ago there was a post and he caught a bunch of huge ones by the farm. Tubedude was out a few times and has gotten his share of the cookies as well. I have seen a few caught bit cant quite get them there. I think its kind fo hit and miss till we can get a week of 80 degree weather. I think they are starting up tho. Utah Lake has been slow starting too, but now they are being caught, so willard should become more consistant as it gets hotter out.
Good luck,
Shawn
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Usually the catfish action really starts to pick up around the end of May, first week in June time frame. That can change if the water temp climb faster than they have lately but upper 60ies to low 70* water temp is where cats like it to get in the mood[
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[cool][#0000ff]The catfish in Willard bite all year long...even under the ice. The key is to find them. They seem to concentrate in some areas more than others but there can be singles or small groups almost anywhere. And depth is a big thing. Some days they are in very shallow water...and even right in the rocks. Other days they move out into deeper water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been catching limits or more every trip since March. Some days the fish have been as shallow as 7'. Most of my better trips have seen the fish in 11 to 13 feet of water. On one of my last trips they were out in 16 to 18 feet of water...after a series of fronts had moved through.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I fish them from my tube, by dragging a minnow back and forth from shallow to deep and keep track of the depths where I get the hits. I sometimes have to cover a lot of water before getting bit. If somebody just anchors up and waits for the fish to move in they are not in a high percentage situation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also, right now there are a lot of the cats that are moving shallow...into the rocks and brush...to spawn. Fishing around brush piles with a bobber and a baited jig about 3-4 feet deep will catch them when they are in those areas. Ditto along the rocks. And there are a lot of the cats that stay in the rocks to feed after the spawn.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]After the spawn the cats are all over the lake. Some of my best areas are out from the hog farm...north of the south marina...the southwest corner...and all along the north dike. Also good straight out from the campgrounds and even inside the north marina during warmer months. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Since Willard stays reasonably clear, the catfish are usually sight feeders as well as responding to smell or vibration. You can catch them on top, along with wipers, when there are boils going on later in the year. I have also caught them 5 feet under a bobber in over 20 feet of water when they are on the chew.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It also helps to have a "bait buffet". While catfish will bite almost anything they often show a preference for one bait over another. I almost always do well on chub or carp minnows. Ditto for small bits of carp meat. But, they love perch meat or almost any other LEGAL bait fish tidbits. Heck, I know some guys who score well with pieces of hot dog...plain or adulterated...with different scents.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The water is still cold for this time of year...according to past records. A few more warm days and higher water temps will get the kitties and wipers a lot more active.[/#0000ff]
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thanks to everyone for all the great info. How long does the spawn go for before they move out all over the lake again?
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[cool][#0000ff]They usually don't actually start spawning until the water temps pass the 65 degree mark and stay there. After that the spawn can stretch over a month or more. Not all cats spawn at the same time. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And...veddy intermesting...the kitties have some unusual spawning habits. A male finds a good nesting hole in the rocks or brush and then invites any passing female catfish in to "participate". However, the female does not deposit all of her eggs in one nest, but visits several nests before she is finished. So, each nest is an aggregate of several females with each male. A good insurance policy against any particular nest being damaged or destroyed.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There will be a lot of inshore frenzy going on very soon. After that the fish will be a lot more active...partly due to the warmer temps and more food in the water. Watch the reports. Once water temps cross the 70 degree point you better give up fishing if you can't catch cats after that.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Last year I caught females with ripe eggs still in their bellies clear up into July. Not sure if they were "late bloomers" or just did not spawn. Most of the spawners have taken care of business by the end of June. But with the longer and colder spring this year it may well go beyond that.[/#0000ff]
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Thanks for the info. I will just it easy till the water hits a few more degrees.
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[cool][#0000ff]Yeah. Just breathe through your nose. If you get severe withdrawal symptoms snort a couple of lines of anchovy smelly jelly.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Dr. TubeDude says: Take two casts and don't call me in the morning.[/#0000ff]
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Good post.
When are you going to change your pic to your new fishing tube?
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I'd be glad to help you out with that TD.[cool]
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[quote Marathonman]Good post.
When are you going to change your pic to your new fishing tube?
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[cool][#0000ff]Thanks. Yeah, there have been a lot of upgrades since Packfan took my avatar pic about 3 years ago.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Waiting until I get my twin 150s installed...and the second deck...and the barbecue...and the entertainment center.[/#0000ff]
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[quote PACKFAN]I'd be glad to help you out with that TD.[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]Does the photographer work only by appointment?[/#0000ff]
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