TubeBabe still in California. Nobody else wanted to go fishing. So, I hit Willard again…by my own self.
Launched from the north marina about 7:30. By the way, the south marina is now closed. Air temp 42 and water temp only 51 at launch…13 degree drop since last week. My expectations dropped a little.
I figured that low and slow was the way to go. I figured right. Started with a small white tube, bouncing it slowly off the bottom on a sixteenth ounce head. Missed two whacks before setting the hook into a reel screamer. Nice 21 incher to start the day. Figured it was going to be gangbusters. Figured wrong. First and last wiper of the day. Had a few other hits and one big one on for a bit, but only one brought to the tube.
As usual, the cookie cutter kitty brigade ate up a bunch of my minnows and kept me occupied. I brought in about 15 and kept 7. Biggest was a rowdy 19 incher. Most were 14 - 16 inches and were kinda slow in the cold water. Tentative takes and sluggish fights. But, better than a skunk.
Only a few boats out before I came in at noon, but a couple more going out for the later fishing. One guy said he witnessed a “wiper pro” bring in a limit of nice wipers yesterday by watching for the birds. Said there was more activity late in the day after the water warmed.
Looks like I leave the hardware home for the rest of the year. Time to stock up the plastics boxes for my next trip. I will catch those wascally wipers on small tube jigs until they freeze…or I do.
OBLIGATORY LAUNCH PIC.jpg (301 KB)
GLASS ROD.jpg (106 KB)
CLEAR, CALM, COLD.jpg (151 KB)
FIRST & LAST WIPER.jpg (218 KB)
2 INCH TUBE.jpg (310 KB)
COOKIE CUTTER KITTY.jpg (190 KB)
BIGGEST COOKIE.jpg (215 KB)
MINI COOKIE.jpg (186 KB)
COOKIE ON PLASTIC.jpg (231 KB)
SKUNKLESS.jpg (361 KB)