Willard fishing now?

[catchinon]

I just set a date to go fishing at Willard Bay tomorrow for the first time. I know that everyone is saying that the good fishing is done now but I'd still like to get some idea of what to use tomorrow. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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[catchinon]

Forgot to say that we'll be fishing from a boat starting early. Also, I would like to add walleye, wiper, and smb to my species-caught list.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Water temps are up and food supplies too. The fish tend to be more nocturnal and are often well fed on the abundant crop of young shad. So most of the regulars on Willard are fishing elsewhere...and for other species. Not many ice fishermen on the lake either...for the same reasons. Just not as good now.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]One thing I have found in the past is that when the predators are patterning on small shad you will usually do better with a smaller lure. I like to use the little 2" size Rattlin' Raps in shad color or the holo blue models. They have small hooks but they will hook even larger wipers. Just don't try to horse them in on heavy line.[/#0000FF]
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[inline "RATTLIN RAP.jpg"]
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[#0000FF]There are other small cranks and spoons that work well at this time of year too. Even small tube jigs sometimes score big fish.
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[#0000FF]The main idea is to move around a lot and watch the sonar. And don't be upset if you see more on the screen than on your line. You have to keep searching until you find ACTIVE fish. And once you get bit, keep fishing in the same area.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Good luck...and don't forget sunscreen and hydration.[/#0000FF]
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[Tin-Can]

Wear a hat with wide brim to keep your ears and head from getting roasted. Wal-Mart sells inexpensive full head nets in the camping department. You may need it to keep the midges, May flies, no-see-ums, horse flies, and even some deer flies out of your face.
If you take a travel cup to drink whatever out of, keep the sip lid closed and check the top before taking a big gulp. Some of those fuzzy little bug can really get caught in your throat and ruin a day.

Have fun, good luck, do better than I have this year. I'm 0 for 9..............
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[doitall5000]

Watch the skies, birds are your best way to find fish. I ALWAYS have a spinning rod with a silver kastmaster ready to go. Good luck hunting wipers.
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[EyLayo]

I didn't realize it will be your first trip there. Too bad you didn't hire a better guide. We'll sure give it a good shot anyway. Hopefully the stormy forecast will keep the bugs and other pesky friends at home.
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[catchinon]

Had to go to a movie before I could get all replies but Sportsman's is across the street from the theater so I popped over and got what I had gleaned on here. How did I do?
Rattlin' Rapala in silver size 5
Shadrap SR-7 in Firetiger (Ouch: nine bucks and they don't even sell insurance on them.)
Flicker Shad 7 in Black Silver
Rat-L-Trap in Green Shad--The only one they had in the store and on sale. Go figure.
1/6 oz Rooster Tail in Strobe White
A couple of worm harnesses in Perch and Citrus (firetiger colors)

I'll dig up a Kastmaster and anything else that looks like it might work.

Any other suggestions of something I can buy at Walmart? Please, no responses after 3:30 a.m. [].
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[a_bow_nut]

Why?

3:30 is when I get home from work.
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[fly_fishing_nut]

How did your fishing trip go? I’ve been wanting to try Willard again. The last two trip a couple weeks ago I got skunked.
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[Drlewis43]

We went out of The north marina last night. We trolled all along freeway Bay in the south bike with no luck and no fish on the sonar. Right as we came out of the north marina I did see some fish on the sonar so after no luck we motored quickly back to that spot. (Just to the south of north marina 30 yards) when we got there we could see small wipers boiling all around us. we threw into the boils until they stopped only catching one small fish but that is a confirmed location on quite a few wipers. Also seen some birds diving just outside the north marina. Hope this helps everyone I suck at fishing Willard So as a joke I tell my friends I don’t go fishing at Willard I go for the boat ride so I am not disappointed 😉
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[EyLayo]

Thanks for the trip Craig. Glad at least 1 one of us knows how to catch a fish. Sorry we couldn't explore more and get the fish you were after. I'll put a couple pairs of ear plugs in the boat for next time, just in case. [crazy]
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[fishinfool]

The holo green back in that size has done better for wipers for me and blue back and the vampire come in a close second. All three of those colors have been my go to when the fishing got tough.

I know people are pretty close lipped when it comes to the wiper boils. Sure would like to take the kick boats up and get the wife into some of that action. Has to be close!

fnf[cool]
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