Fishing Forum

Well went to do some night fishing on Willard at 11 last night and was the only one on the north dike area. Set up my rod and sat back waiting and started to hear something skuttling behind me. Honestly I figured it would be a rat or mouse, looked over and could just barely make out a dark shape moving towards me on the rocks. It was roughly the size of a large cat so I I thought "Hey nice. Now I got a friend to keep me company". So I stood up and grabbed my flashlight. As I started towards the "Cat" I placed the light on it and froze...

Smiling back at me was the cutest darn black and white kitty I had seen in a while. . .

Unfortunetaly these "Kitties" are known for how easy they are to spook and their bad gas defence. Now I almost decided to try and scare it away but figured I had to go to a family reunion today and thought it unwise.

Honestly dont think I have stood so still in my life. Keeping the light on the skunk it slowly walked up to withen two feet of me and just walked right by without as much as a sniff at me.

Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me or else I think it would of been a pretty good shot. Though I imagine the flash makin the little guy upset..

Other then that five minute adventure it was another day without as much as a nip on the bait.

I was using nightcrawlers this time with my bait caster from the northern dike at the overnight parking area. I casted from right by the reed area down to the power box spot. Not a nibble or sign of a aquatic lifform of any type.

Now I hear about all these people complaining about getting dink cookies and calling 2 fish "Skunked" but honestly I would be absolutely giddy if I caught a single fish at all. I have not caught a fish in the last 7 outings. And before that Channel I caught in Bountiful lake I had not caught a fish for many more then that.

So if anyone wants to tell me where they like to fish in Willard and where I may have a bit of luck that would be great. I will post a picture showing where I usually go to feed the squitos.

Night
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According to 4poundonly:

" catching cats of size is really just a matter of time spent nuff said[img]../../../images/gforum/pirate.gif[/img]"

You obviously haven't been spending enough time fishing, lol. You've only been out like 34 times.

The technique and strategy (location, bait, etc) involved in catching the big cats is really underrated, in my opinion.
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I had one of those "kitties" walk up on me in the middle of the night while I was outside the camper "watering" a rock. He got within about 4 feet of me before deciding to turn around and go back the way he came.
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[quote wannabefisher]According to 4poundonly:

" catching cats of size is really just a matter of time spent nuff said[.img]../../../images/gforum/pirate.gif[/img]"

You obviously haven't been spending enough time fishing, lol. You've only been out like 34 times.

The technique and strategy (location, bait, etc) involved in catching the big cats is really underrated, in my opinion.[/quote]

Its true but I apologize for the way I acted in that other thread[blush]

But on the other hand marinespear you seem to have trouble catching fish but dont worry it will only getter better from here. I would keep hitting willard/UL and focus on catfish fish the bottom with dif baits try dif spots and it will evently pay off my most productive bait for cats are anchovies or sardines almost any grocery store has em good luck and good thing you didnt get sprayed[cool]
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here kitty![shocked] funny about your little visitor.
I found a few guess you guys call the cookie cutter cats.
must be close to where you fish. Was there in the day time would think it wold be much better for catfishing there at night.
Wish I know where bottomwatcher was fishing.
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No biggie here.

I think getting better at catching ANY fish is exactly what you stated earlier: just more time on the water.
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I would suggest using freshly caught cutbait on bobbers up near the rocks.

Maybe try a rod as far out as you can cast on the bottom and then one right up close with a float. If this fails try something else, mix it up... Heck try one pole with bait and then throw crankbaits while you wait for those pesky cats. Bet eventually you'll catch an eye or two and some big cats cruising the rocks. It beats sitting and waiting.

Worms will catch catfish, but just not nearly as good as cutbait. Worm does release scent and amino acids and such but cutbait does it 100x better.

Also, this time of year night fishing might be slower than other times of the year. It really doesn't matter much truthfully, in the winter up here in Wyoming we really tear up the cats at night.... But, with that said a lot of cat guys think the night bite tapers off some in the fall. I think its all just a matter of location, if you find them you ought to be able to get some to bite any time day or night.

But I think fishing warm afternoons this time of year is best. I wouldn't go unless it has been calm (wind), cloudless and hot for a few consecutive days. That should get them going better.

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Another thing, if you are catting and don't get a bite in 30 mins to an hour then you need to move. Some would even say that is too long to wait, so if it is slow keep moving and you might find a pod of active fish.

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Just some ideas or tips i thought maybe I'd give you, you seem kind of down and out. Try to learn something every trip...If you can do that , you'll be tearing into them before you know it.
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I think pitching cranks for willard cats is under-estimated.

There was a guy on here bearnk I believe, who was catching some very large cats throwing cranks off the rocks. For the most part, Willard is void of structure. Sure you can find humps or rockpiles on the main lake but I think the majority of structure is right up against the rock dykes. When the baitfish go in shallow to hide in the rocks at night the big cats follow them. A crankbait is puts off deadly vibration and sound and will call in cats from quite a distance... Just let the crank pause - don't real too fast.

Big cats go up into the rocks at night and feed on baby bass, perch, etc. Sunfish....

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The thing about working the shore with a crankbait is that you are covering way more water than just sitting and fishing a worm or cutbait in one spot. If you walked 1-2 miles down the bank casting cranks and bouncing them off the rocks I bet you would be surprised at how effective it is. Think about how much more water you can cover... Just an idea.
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