third trip up to Willard this year, third skunk in a row. I quit. We fished from 730 to 1030 with three poles in the water using every technique and crank I though might work and nada, not even a nibble. Went home very disappointed and questioning why i even fish. I think I’m done on that puddle until boils start in earnest.
Unless you have fished there for years and years I think it is a tricky lake sometimes. It is a large lake with little variation in structure. Seems like it is hit and miss.
Maybe you should try something else, not trolling…
This year is not the same as past years, water temps and run off…
Went home very disappointed and questioning why i even fish.
Oh … how many times I have felt that way on the way home from a fishing trip. Many times I have arrived home only to tell Mamma Coot that I’m done fishing. She always replies with “Ya, right, until next time”.
As for waiting for the boils, I suggest that you don’t. The wipers will start to turn on here real soon now. If the weather stays warm for this week, the latter part of the week ought to show a noticable improvement in the wiper bite.
we tried casting for a while, dropshotting gulp minnows, casting spinner baits and rattle traps, nothing. Don’t have a good fish finder yet though. And as to the fishing getting better soon…I’ve been thinking that all spring. Going to fish lake next weekend so maybe i’ll get my motivation back. I also lost a lucky craft LV which didn’t improve my mood but oh well, that’s fishing and this wasn’t my first rodeo
I fished Willard yesterday, 06-05-2010 from 0830 to noon. Picked up three nice wipers for last nights fish tacos. Had four drive buy, dine and dashes. I have been where you are before. Dont give up! you will hit the bonanza one day!
Man how I can relate to your feelings; however, it took me four skunks at Willard before I called it quits. Didn’t fish it for a couple years and then finally caught a couple on the next trip. Fished it again and of course I got skunked. Haven’t been back for a couple years, but that may change any day. BTW – I have almost always been able to find a few kitties up there when I have tried to catch them. It is just those wipers that sometime allude me.
Like said before. 3 or 4 days of high preasure and hi temps and the wipers will get active. I fished it yesterday as well and had one hit that broke me off! Then the starter went out on my truck when i went to load up!![frown] thanks to the great guy who towed my boat out of the water and for Autozone for charging me 209$ for a new starter!!! I will be ready for the wiperfest on Saturday!!
Ahh yes the bitter bite of willard. This is my third year fishing willard consitantly and have had my share of smelling the skunk. My only advice is dont give up and like bass rods pointed out if trolling isnt working then try drifting or banging the bank with a jig, curly tail or grub. Then you have a chance at either a smally, wiper, walleye, cat, ect!! Good luck and we look forward to a report when you do get into them.
You’re playing my tune! Was there Sunday also - saw the black and white tail raise to my gaze and aghast the foul stench hit us in the face. Third skunk at Willard. In four trips we’ve met one wiper. Nada mas. Grr.
Trolling, cranking, jigging - deep shallow, fast slow- in the harbor, along the dikes…
What time of day seems to work best? We usually end up at the water in the mid-late afternoon, and toodle around till sunset. I stayed out past sunset once - didn’t even find kitties! Saw some big-ass carp! I poked one with the tip of my rod - at son’s request… saw a couple bow hunters working the shallows.
We went from the north marina this time, but think I’ll try the south end next time.
Thing is - it was warm Saturday, and then HOT Sunday (yeah - brought out the jetski/speed-boaties, and their big waves. My son actually liked the waves and bumps. As long as my little flatbottom doesn’t get swamped - I’m good.)
Frustarting thing was - we had a very successful outing the day before at Mantua. Had high hopes for Willard that got dashed thoroughly. My son does NOT like fishing when we come up empty. He just wants to catch bluegills (or something that will bite).
Had three poles working at a time - all kinds of different offerings. I’d sure like to meet a Walleye! And the Wiper I got was on the small side for them (big to me! ) at 2lbs.
I hear ya bud, Willard is the hardest lake to figure out that I’ve ever fished, if those stupid wipers weren’t so amazing I’d have no problem just giving up on it. A two pound wiper fights better than most trout, a four pounder puts the fear into your heart and kinda spoils every other kind of fishing by comparison. I’ll give it a bit longer and once i’ve forgotten how much I hate it i’ll head back and give it another try.
Never give up..Never die.. Never surrender !!! The bays not that hard to figure out .. Put more time in – Observe depths and the minimal structure thats there.. Pay attention to the weather.. Dont be afraid to try a new crank-grub-jig-tube-spoon or just plain ole meat on a hook !!! Ive had several days where I couldnt buy a bite on a artificial bait–switched up to a slip float with a dead sucker,carp,chub, or shiner minnow and killed them ..Your biggest competition besides the weather and finding the active fish are the SHAD …If the shad populations are up your #s will be down most always..My2cents..FISHAMANIAC [;)]
To infinity and beyond!
Thing that gets me - I can spend all kinds of dough on all kinds of fancy flashy lures (they catch MY eye!) and then it’s a simple worm on a plain hook that comes up catching.
I think that’s part of why I keep tipping my crankbait hooks with a bit o’ worm. Give them something to smell, and taste if they take a stab at the lure. But sometimes I worry that it’ll change the action.
One tip I heard - “spoil” one end or another of a worm if you use a whole one. Allows the scent to spill out as they drag along.
Live chunks are great - but I guess you gotta catch something first before you can cut it for hooking, no?
What bait/rigs work best for catching carp? Worms again?
dont worry i have only managed 2 tiny small mouth out of there… a few bumps but thats it… i now see willard as a place for me to launch my boat and have the GF drive me around while i drink 37 beers in one afternoon looking for a sun tan
hell ya if all you catch is a buzz thats better then nothin 
hell ya if all you catch is a buzz thats better then nothin
my thinking EXACTLY!!!
Amen brothers! Ya’ll sound like my kinds of people.
My wife wonder’s how I can stay out fishing for SO long - it’s simple, I’m not JUST fishing!
as they say on the Evinrude commercials “spend more time on the water”
Took a trip up to Cutler dam with my boy last fall. Friend told me it was “the Grand Canyon of Cache Valley”. Kept getting buzzed by a few ski-happy folks, and not in the good way! That river is not even 150 feet wide! Worse than Newton - I do declare!
We ended up “parking” behind some of the little islands, at least that way we could avoid the waves and getting swamped.
Caught a couple little yellow bellies, but nothing exciting. Guess we oughta give it another try. There was lots of jumping going on. Guess I’ll grab a bag of Walmart shrimp after work, and some “fresh” bubbles.
Ever had any run-ins with rangers or DWR? I understand they can search coolers, you catch, and check your “gear”. That would be a sad day to lose my tackle cuz of sipping some suds. I’ve had to show my fishing license like twice! Once was at that boat launch shore fishing at Cache Junction.