Willard Lost and Found

[wiperhunter2]

First the "Found".  I spotted a perfectly good landing net on the west dike, if anybody needs one. With the wind and waves as they were this morning, I was not about to go get it. PM me for directions to find it. 

Now, ly, the "Lost". I was running north along the west dike when I head a loud POP and turned to see a rod missing. Apparently, the bottom bouncer had, well...bounced overboard. Then the line unspooled until it hit the end and POW there went my rod, breaking the bungee cord. It was a reel I've had since the early 70s and I treasured it. They don't make those any more, obviously. With all that line out, somebody may be able to snag it for me. Like a dummy, I was so shocked that I didn't even mark a waypoint until I'd gone well past. Dumb. 

Anyway, should anyone here snag a rod from a bit north of the light pole in about 15' of depth, PM me. I'm offering a $50 reward. 

Willard today was 75 degrees surface temp, strong winds and waves. One very decent smallie I lost at the net and one cursed wave boat who just HAD to run back and forth 100 yards from the dikes despite that's where several boats were fishing. I waved to him - with one finger. 

I was trying some brine-cured shad I found at WalMart. Not chemically cured, just salt brine. Got lots of perchly rattles on them and one good pop and drop - so they DO work. But it was tough dragging bait or feeling bites in that wind. If you buy some, be aware that the plastic bag does not reseal. Bring a quart zip-loc with you.

I'm guessing in the coming weeks the catching will improve as the water cools. Sorry to hear you lost your favorite rod and reel. Bummer you didn't put down a waypoint, a lot of times when I forget to put down a waypoint I can look at my tracks and see a spot where I turn the boat a little when I looked back and that helps locate a spot. Hope someone finds it for you. Having lost a rod over board before at Willard my advise would be to go back to the spot and cast a heavy lure, like a Kastmaster that will get down on the bottom and hope you can snag it, it's worth a shot and we have had good success catching those rods and reels doing that.