Willard Lost and Found

[Gone Forever]

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 am so sorry about your rod and reel.  Losing an old one that you have loved or had special history has an effect on fishers that many cannot understand. I hope you find it on Wednesday. I am sure you know search techniques from your days flying, that should help. Having the GPS tracking technology and depth sounder should help. Sounder on max everything, bottom lock. If you go over it, it should send back a powerful signal. 
I would do a shifting circle, so you cross the suspected line path twice every loop.  The track on your GPS will look like knocked over dominoes your first pass. then on your next pass you run back so that the circles overlap, soon the screen will look like chainmail.
 
I've got a couple of big ocean poles and a lot of salt sized weights if you want a snagging rig that will dredge the bottom in 15', if you want to borrow them. Got a couple. Take me along and we can drag 4 at once...