[font "Courier New"][#0000bf][size 3]I plan on going to Willard next week, and want to fish the South Marina. I also want to try the south corner (mostly because TubeDude says there's decent catfish action there). If I take the 4000 N road and over/up to the dike, is that legal? Or is that land off limits? (either for being private, or being game management area)
Also, if I can go over there, how good are the roads? I'm doubting they're paved past 3900 W. Should I drive the Blazer SUV, or would the family sedan be okay?
[inline WBsouthcorner.jpg]
[/size][/#0000bf][/font]
[signature]
You are fine going out there in a car. I have taken my nissan sentra out there a few times and even once when it was wet. It is perfectly legal to travel back there. They have put a fence up that has made access a little difficult but there are access points through out the dike. You can actually go all the way to the light pole on that road. Just remember, the dike is pretty steep to go up on the smooth side. Also, that area is just right for lots of skeeters.
[signature]
You are 100% legal to go over there! The roads are dirt, but dont get bad until you turn the corner that you have marked. If you plan to go further than the corner i'd drive the blazer.
[signature]
Yep I'll second what everyone else has said. Drove out to the light-pole last night. Took the Jeep but it wasn't needed til I turned the corner. The south dike is fenced but there are plenty of access points. The outside part of the dike is steep and kinda slippery with the dry grass all over it so be careful going up it and coming back down when you're done.
[signature]
[cool][#0000ff]Hey sweetie, my personal opinion is that spot might be a bit "ambitious" for you. You first have to climb up one of the two access roads in the pictures below...and then you have to negotiate down over the rocks to find a fishing spot. That can be strenuous for someone without limitations.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]My personal recommendation is to set up your lawn chair on the sand at the SE corner of the north marina. Now is the time when it starts getting good for both wipers and catfish inside the marina and that is a good spot. TubeBabe and I catch a lot of fish close to shore right there while fishing from our tubes and I have seen a lot of fish caught by bank tanglers. Much easier for you to negotiate and possibly better fishing too...and not so remote in the event you have problems.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
I agree with the Dude. The access road is comparable to Holmes Creek and the walk down the rocks is worse than the rocks at Holmes Creek dam because they are much bigger.
[signature]
[font "Courier New"][#0000bf][size 3]
My plans for this week went kaput. I'm really hoping I can go twice next week, to make up for it!
Yup, that dike access looks like a bit of a hike. I couldn't tell with Google map, looking straight down. Heck, even the 'point' on the North Marina doesn't look nearly as steep as it really is.
I do like the bigger rocks of Willard though. For some reason, I actually find them easier to clamber on than the smaller ones at Holmes. I once fished on the west side of the parking lot of Pelican Bay at the bottom of the rock 'wall'... at night, in the dark! It wasn't so bad (except for the fact I got skunked). Also, the bigger rocks are better for sitting on, than the smaller ones [
] Instead of a lawn chair, I put a chair cushion down and use that for padding my bony behind LOL
Also, the time I plan to go is from 6 A.M. to about 10 A.M., or whenever it starts getting too hot. I'm hoping that's a good time. If I go at night, I might have to suffer the hike, because I refuse to pay $16 just for a few hours of fishing (night fishing I would do from about 9 P.M. to whenever I get bored/tired).
[/size][/#0000bf][/font]
[signature]