Mike, I don’t know the conditions at the south marina, but to get to the road that goes around the lake, just continue west on the road that goes by the south marina and the motocross course.
That’ll take you to the Harold Crane waterfowl management area, or whatever it’s called. Just follow the dirt road west until you get to the southwest corner, or wherever you want to fish.
As far as I know, the only place to launch a boat at willard right now is the north marina, but I could be completely wrong about that.
Last I heard, the south marina is still closed. You either have to boat to the west side, from the north marina, or hike over the dike at the southwest corner.
I have carried my FULLY LOADED Super Fat Cat up over the levee at that spot several times. Yes, it is a hike, but it beats the heck out of fighting the rocks up and down anywhere else on the dike. The gate is always locked, but you can maneuver around it.
I would not recommend carrying a pontoon up and over unless there are two of you. You can trade off helping each other, but it would be a bit much for just one person to carry even the lightest pontoon. And, since you can probably get anywhere you need to get, without a motor, once you are launched, you do not need the motor and battery. Oars should get the job done. The fish are not being taken on a fast troll yet, so you do not need speed.
Mike, I think the biggest concern for you, if you tried to drive to the southwest corner, would be the roads. After all the water we have had, your car could get swallowed up in one of those potholes. It might be a good test for the boat/toon combo ride. Once you are on the other side, there is still some sandy beach area where you can get out and safely launch the toon…and secure the boat.
If the fish move in to the north dike area, then it is a simple matter to launch from the north marina, and power over there with your electric on high.
If you didn’t know where the soft spots were on the ice you could be in trouble on Lake X , So I chose not to report . I been watching the ice grow for a while so I would know were I could tread on ice . Park Rangers called me crazy a few times but I thank them one early morning for plowing me a trail to the boat launch ramp in a blizzard of a storm last weekend that dumped 8" of snow on me while I was there . PWC launch has been open water for most of the winter . Some of the ice would float over that area when the wind blew it in . I would think the ice is getting unstable now with the warmer temps . I bet the water has opened up quite a bit with this warmer weather . Last week water temp was 33 degrees . Rockport had better ice then Lake X this year .Never fished Rockcliff area , but I bet there is some safer ice in that neck of the woods . Wish I had time to go check it out this weekend , but never made it . Pesky perch bite was nonstop there with them biting at night as well . And to beat all those perch are hard to kill bring them from the deep . Most would swim right down to the bottom and I would see them burp on the Fish finder as they swim to the bottom . I’m about ready for a float-tube trip too . I better get me a new one too so I don’t have to keep blowing my tube up while on the water .
Hey Pat, No ice at the PWC ramp. Well nothng to stop you from launching anyway. The last few nights up here have been cold again. So there has been some thin ice on both DC and the nelle. Nothing you can,t break with your tubr though [:)] .
Guess I’m going to have to break down and buy another digital camera. Right after I fix the daughters car again. If ya all decide to go this coming weekend PM me. I need to soak a hook for a few hours rather than just a few minutes. I know i wont be working Sat. for the rest of the year. Well unless I get a job at Cabelas, then I will be and always broke too.
Hey Road, you betcha we gonna go play on dat water togedder. But…I think I’m gonna give it at least another week. Looks like maybe Willard this coming Saturday. You up for that?
Forecast is looking promising for this weekend! Guess I better get to buying me that new battery so I don’t run out of juice so quick.
Didn’t see much of me because I had to paddle my tube from the marina to the springs. By the time I got there my legs were cramping up so I had to go to shore to straighten them out. Then fished a little bit and then fished my way back to the marina before my legs gave out completely. I did catch my share of rock bass tho. Donated a few jigs. But nothing to chase the leg chill away. But it was fun to get out and float again. I’m thinking on investing in a toon so I don’t have to rely on my body power anymore. The joints just aren’t what they used to be. Al
Al, that sucks about the legs cramping up. Sounds like Mike knows where to get a good deal on a new pontoon!
Geoff, did you get any bumps on Saturday? Man I had alot of bumps in the morning, wish I would have landed that last BIG one you and Mike witnessed when I was trolling, I felt the fish and it felt really good, huge head shakes then lost it. ARGH.
I am indeed TD. Have been looking at new tubes and should have one by then. So if you know anyone needing a slightly used one. I have one available and the price can’t be beat.
Hey Marty, if you are up for next Saturday, we can meet up here in Salt Lake and I can drive. I can also let you kick around in TubeBabe’s Fat Cat. She will still be out of town and doesn’t mind “test rides”…as long as you are careful with hooks and knives.
PM me if you are interested and we can work out the details.
Hip Hip horray I finally dusted off and vacuumed my boat out, washed the boat cover and the carpet and put some cat scent removal on the carpet and it smells like a brand new house![:P] Yeah yeah I hate cats only if they running around on and around my fudging boat otherwise if they don’t touch it, they’re fine.
I made sure of my engine purring like a bona fide kitty (spark plug wires were on the wrong plugs…[crazy]), had my bearings repacked (Thank you Danzilla!!!) and it is now ready for the spring action!
I am so stoked to see the weather report for this saturday at Lincoln Beach…
I swear I heard Mark Eubanks lip sync Tony Bennett/Barbara Streisand’s song
"On a clear day, rise and look around you
and you’ll see who you are
On a clear day how it will astound you
That the glow of your being outshines every star
You’ll feel part of ev’ry mountian, sea and shore
You can hear from far and near a world you’ve never heard before
And on a clear day, on that clear day
You can see forever and ever more…"
Mark Eubanks of KSL 5 weather said absolutely beautiful clear saturday! I am so excited for this maiden trolling expedition of the spring!
I have a way very good feeling there will be walleyes prowling about as you can see far and near a world you’ve never heard before…
Get ready for the mind blowing stunning vista of the Utah Valley from Lincoln Beach this saturday come one come all!
In the morning I had several hits and 3 temporary hookups using a 4 inch curly tail with white body, chartreuse tail, and bright pink 1/8th oz jig head.
Have fun and good luck this weekend! Look forward to the report.
I had about 3 or 4 bumps, but that was it. I’m going to try fishing a tandem jig combo next time instead of just one to give the fishies more of a choice. Yeah, I remember that good one you had on for a few seconds. Looked like it sure would have been a good one. I’m gonna get some plastics in the color combo that you were getting a lot of strikes on. Hopefully that will help too.
Thanks, CBR. It’s that kind of specific information that many of us are looking for. Good luck to you on your next LB outing.