Launched at the north marina this morning at 6:15 . Set out trolling to the south and just kept going ,thinking we would start marking sooner or later . Just didn't see much so shot over to the north dike and started trolling again . Finally after 4 hrs we saw a school and hooked up on all three trolling poles , landed all 3 wipers ! We fished the school for about two hrs before we lost them and headed in for the day . Some were the 20inch type . No walleye or cats today. Got a lure in a mystery tackle box that I don't remember the name , it's got a big heavy head and a metal body , it was very effective. A little windy at times today but not as hot and pretty comfortable
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Hey, good job on the wipers...I'm no expert at Willard, still learning, but I think most guys will agree that if you're catching alot of wipers trolling, you're probably going 2 to 2.5 mph, and if you're targeting the walleye or cats you'll need to cut that speed almost in half...either way, it's all fun, especially the learning part...Guluk...
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Your mystery lure may be a blade bait like the Heddon Sonar.
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Trolling speed was the difference , on the motor I was 2.5 to 3.0 mph
Switched to electric and slowed to 1.5 to 2.0 that's when we got all the bites . I was targeting wipers but sometimes I've been surprised with a cat or walleye . This is the first year I've fished this lake so I'm just starting out and learning new stuff every time I'm out . And, yes, the learning part is a lot of fun.
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[quote 300matt]Trolling speed was the difference , on the motor I was 2.5 to 3.0 mph
Switched to electric and slowed to 1.5 to 2.0 that's when we got all the bites . I was targeting wipers but sometimes I've been surprised with a cat or walleye . This is the first year I've fished this lake so I'm just starting out and learning new stuff every time I'm out . And, yes, the learning part is a lot of fun.[/quote]
I have read that electric is the way to go for Willard, likely due to being a shallow lake and the gas kicker makes a lot more noise that bounces off the bottom. I am hoping to get the boat up there next week for our first trip to Willard.
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Motor noise (gas or electric) is the reason tubers, tooners and yakkers can be so effective. We don't make any.
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There are similarities to the sonar but has much heavier head and a flat piece of metal that wiggles and flashes . This one is all nickel no paint
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Electric trolling motor is definitely a better idea . I'm not set up to troll all day with mine so I use sparingly . I do want to get planer boards , I think they will help with noise
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electrics are nice but i have caught many walleye at Willard with the water less than 10 feet deep with both my Honda and Yamaha trolling motors bottom bouncing a worm harness directly under the boat .
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Could you post a picture of the board you are using? I have been thinking about making one for each side of my boat. Then having one main line that I can send out multiple clips on. I like getting the lines out away from the boat but I agree with you that a standard planer board is not that user friendly.
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So , the yellow planer boards aren't the best to use ? Is it better to make them ? I really don't know much about them . Any help would be apreciated
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IF you make your own boards, you will have to use a heavy cord to attach them to the boat, you then use release clips to attach your line to the board or line. The boards are pretty much a permanent set while fishing, the release clips hold your line, then release it when a fish strikes. Commercial rigs with heavy duty reels and even a mast to get the main line up out of the water are out there, Google planner boards and look at what is available.
heres a picture of the ones I made they work great and make wiper / walleye fishing even more fun
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