Willard 10-29-21 WITH VIDEO

[TubeDude]

I figured that conditions should be getting about right for the perch to show up at Willard…if they WERE going to show up in the low water this year.  I love it when I’m right.  Even though water temps were still well over 40…and water levels were well below where they prefer…at least a few perch showed up.
 
I launched at the north marina a little after 8am…right after the “Deadly Duo” (WH2 and WiperSlayer).  Air temp was 40 and water temp about 47 in the marina and 48 in the main lake.  Absolutely calm and stayed that way all day.

Action began quickly.  Got a “rod tip rattle” almost as soon as my first cast hit the bottom.  Definitely not the “big bend” of a cantankerous kitty.  Set the hook and felt the satisfying tugs of my first perch.  Got my second shortly after.  Figured it was gonna be gangbusters all day.  NOT.
 
Didn’t get another bite for the next half hour, so I started “prospecting”.  Shoulda stayed put ‘cause that was where the fish were.  But, eternal optimist that I am, I headed for another area that has produced perch in the past.  Only got one in over an hour of trying a little bit of everything.  But it was my first 13 incher.  However, I did catch one “cool cat” that just rolled up on the surface in the cold water.  I could almost hear him begging for me to take him someplace where it was warm.  So I put him in my basket.
 
Noticed several boats staying in the same area I had caught my fish earlier.   Decided to finish up my last hour where I had started.  Good move.  Got a few more perch…plus another catfish.  Finished my day with 2 catfish and 7 perch from 11” to 13”. 
   

VIDEO LINK:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffaHeJ3paWo