Willard Bay 5/22

[Paddler]

Slow yesterday. Trolled everything from 3:00-8:00, only two wipers. Water temp 69F, dropping to 65F in the evening. Light wind to calm.
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[KokaneeReaper77]

it seams like the drop in temp screw the fishing up worse at willard then other lakes they sure don't take it very well i was hoping the deeper water this year would help the bite be a little more steady. My last trip out produced 6 wipers only two came off my little trick i told you about so it wasn't producing like it has in the past i will stick with it. i think when the weather becomes more stable we should see a big improvement on the bite and figure out some go to tactics and lures until then its a crap shoot
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[Paddler]

We tried that technique, and caught our two wipers that way. Sure twists up your line. Nothing else got bit. It's warm enough now that the 'eyes should be hitting cranks pretty good. I may go up Tuesday if it's not raining.
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[KokaneeReaper77]

well thats good that it produced you some fish wish it was better for you. To help with the line twist I up the size of the barrel swivel it helps quiet a bit, still have some but not as much I am sorry I can't remember the actual size I use but it is quiet a bit larger hope this helps and good luck on Tuesday
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[Paddler]

I thought about running a chain swivel to help. But, I really like the simpilcity of crankbaits off planer boards. I wonder if salmon mooching weights would work with worm harnesses.

If you can get free Tuesday, I'll take you out. I think you'd enjoy seeing what it will do. The autopilot is great to fish with.
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[wiperhunter2]

We have also used lead core line to get the worm harnesses down on the bottom, some times it will work with crank baits if the ones you are using don't get deep enough. Just a thought.
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[lurtch]

dipsey divers will get you40 to 60 foot deep depending on the size and setting..
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[wiperhunter2]

That is true but Willard is only 30 ft deep at max depth.. If you were to snag the bottom with a dipsey diver, you might loose the diver and your lure or harness[:/].
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[lurtch]

maybee ishould know more about the conditions next time..probly not a good idea..
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[wiperhunter2]

No harm, no foul, dipsey diver are useful tools on the right lake. A lot of folks use them in local lakes when fishing for trout but most of the catching at Willard is done at mid depth around 7 to 12 ft. When the fish are on the bottom, like walleye, then deep diving lures or bottom bouncers are used but lead core line will also work as well as adding weights to get your lure or worms harnesses down in the strike zone.
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[Paddler]

Funny you should mention that WH2. Back in the heyday of Yuba, before the last crash, I saw a guy using leadcore line to get Thin Fins deeper. He just killed the walleye. He was a local, and I think he was making two trips/day and taking limits both trips. It as a very effective technique.
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[lurtch]

we use alot of lead core here to..they run 50 to 60 foot behind the boat with dodgers and flashers and a squid or fly..works good for lakers..
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