04-15-2004, 12:10 PM
[cool][blue][size 1]Lots of cats in Willard, although the average size has dropped over the years, since wipers and smallies came on the scene. Still some over 20 in there, with enough over 5 to make it interesting.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you pitch small lures or fish worms, you will likely catch smaller fish. Soak a big chunk of FRESH fish meat after dark, however, and you can score big. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]My personal biggest was about 18 pounds from Willard, but I have taken several over 15 and bunches in the 9 to 10 pound range. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]By the way, if you are a float tuber or 'tooner, Willard is a great place to drift around on a calm night, dragging a big piece of bait behind your tube. I fish with no sinkers and keep the bail open on my spinning reel. When you get a pickup, let the fish munch and move a bit. Then when you can tighten up and feel weight, set the hook.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Don't use wimpy tackle for the big cats. You need good line of at least 10 pounds, big bait, big hooks and a stout rod that can stick the hook into a big tough mouth. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Circle hooks are a good way to go too. It takes some getting used to, but you can't strike to set the hook on them. You have to let the fish pull the hook into the corner of their mouth as they move off.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Here's a few Willard pics to whet your appetites. By the way, May is one of the best months for big cats at night. The water is warming to spawning temps and the bigguns come out to play. Just be sure to bring a 55 gal. drum of 100% DEET (skeeter repellent). Either that or tie a rock on your leg so they can't carry you off.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]There are a couple of "morning after" pics in the group. They were shot after night fishing the north side of the channel, just opposite of the South Marina. Whole smelt and slabs of mackerel were usually the baits that got the best response.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]If you pitch small lures or fish worms, you will likely catch smaller fish. Soak a big chunk of FRESH fish meat after dark, however, and you can score big. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]My personal biggest was about 18 pounds from Willard, but I have taken several over 15 and bunches in the 9 to 10 pound range. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]By the way, if you are a float tuber or 'tooner, Willard is a great place to drift around on a calm night, dragging a big piece of bait behind your tube. I fish with no sinkers and keep the bail open on my spinning reel. When you get a pickup, let the fish munch and move a bit. Then when you can tighten up and feel weight, set the hook.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Don't use wimpy tackle for the big cats. You need good line of at least 10 pounds, big bait, big hooks and a stout rod that can stick the hook into a big tough mouth. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Circle hooks are a good way to go too. It takes some getting used to, but you can't strike to set the hook on them. You have to let the fish pull the hook into the corner of their mouth as they move off.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Here's a few Willard pics to whet your appetites. By the way, May is one of the best months for big cats at night. The water is warming to spawning temps and the bigguns come out to play. Just be sure to bring a 55 gal. drum of 100% DEET (skeeter repellent). Either that or tie a rock on your leg so they can't carry you off.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]There are a couple of "morning after" pics in the group. They were shot after night fishing the north side of the channel, just opposite of the South Marina. Whole smelt and slabs of mackerel were usually the baits that got the best response.[/size][/#0000ff]
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