I was out for a short drive in my new Toyota Highlander and cruised by Willard. I talked to three groups of bank tanglers, all of whom reportd no action, no bites. As I was leaving, I saw an guy at the north marina haul out something that flopped.
Turns out, it was BFT member TinCan, and he told me he had caught a carp and two largemouth today. I can verify one of the largemouth, a healthy 16" or so beauty that TC released.
Nice to meet ya, my friend.
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RockyRaab, nice to meet you also. Today was for sure 95% dumb luck and 5% skill (at holding my mouth right) LOL[
]. My intention today was to do a recon of WB South and North. Boat not ready to get wet yet, but took a couple rods, my chair, the new tackle box kids got me for Christmas (nice one), thermos of coffee and a tub of Maverik worms.
Knowing the south marina road would still be gated and closed, went to the baffles to see who may be getting in some "snagging" At least while I was there, no snaggers. Some people on the north side of the bank just below the second baffles seemed to be enjoying the nice weather. Not known if they were catching anything. Water level at the canal inlet isn't real high, but it's coming in the baffles quite forcefully. As usual this time of year if it's flowing at all, it's pretty muddy. Took photos in order of where I was. Left the south end and went north. Was just a bit surprised to see 5 or 6 trailers in the north parking area. Just as I pulled in , a young guy and his lady had finished securing their small boat and were getting ready to leave. I asked them if they had done any good, and they said not a single bite. To which I replied, still a bit cold. Asked how the water depth was and was informed that the depth off the north ramp dock and out the channel is about 5 to 7 ft. Gets to 9-10 ft out into the main body of the north end. Well, that's deep enough for my little Tin Can, guess it's time to unwrap it and get some servicing done. I decided to drown a few of the worms I took along. Went to the bank just below the rest rooms (almost where WH2 and I were last November) set one line out and kicked back with my current book. Really not expecting anything, but after about 30 min. line took a hard hit, about took my rod off the box it was leaning on. Beached a 24 inch Carp, got the adrenalin pumping, and made my first fishing day of the season skunk-less. Did my CPR thing with Mr. Iron Scales, needed to hit the port-a-john (getting old) so decided to change real estate. Went over to the north bank of the marina about 30 yards west of the Ranger dock. Got all set up again, and after very short wait, just the slightest nudge-nudge. Could have been the breeze on the line or the water bumping the egg weight on the bottom. Gave the reel a couple cranks, and Fish On ! Nice LM Bass didn't weigh or measure, washed him off, did a CPR, and turned him loose. Maybe less than 30-45 minutes later Mr. LM Bass #2 hooked up on my other rod. A respectable size for this early in the season. Did the CPR thing with him too. That's when RockyRaab showed up. I thought he looked somewhat familiar. But have only seen him in his BFT profile photo before today. Anyway, enjoyed the conversation with another BFTer. All in all, a nice day today.
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Thats funny cuz I pulled up to the parking lot around 1:30 near the ranger dock. Set there wishing I'd brought my pole and saw a couple of fish hitting the top of the water. Nice fish!
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Wow, you da man Forest. Who would have thought that LMB would be in water that shallow, it is less than 3 ft deep at that location. Within casting distance from that corner of the marina, casting toward the docks on the other side, it is less than a foot deep. During the winter, that spot that I'm talking about was out of the water, so it is amazing that fish are even in there at all. When I had my boat out there two weeks ago, the channel and likely the marina, was 2 to 3 degrees warmer than the bay, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. Either way, that is good news and gives me hope the crappie spawn will happen there this year. Thanks for sharing your report and pics.
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I'll tell ya Curt, those 2 LMB were quite a surprise to me. I didn't figure it was very deep there. But being shallow, it may have been warmer. And LMB are a warm water fish. The sun was shining in my face and the slight breeze blow towards me. Maybe I just had all the parts of a lucky spot.
Anyway, was fun. And meeting Raab was a bonus..
Came home last night, got on the state DNR site and did my Invasive Species test. Got my certificate for the year. Then went and did the renew the fishing lic thing, those should be in t he mail soon. Next, got to get the boat over to Peterson for some servicing.
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