Launched at the north marina this morning at 6:15 . Set out trolling to the south and just kept going ,thinking we would start marking sooner or later . Just didn’t see much so shot over to the north dike and started trolling again . Finally after 4 hrs we saw a school and hooked up on all three trolling poles , landed all 3 wipers ! We fished the school for about two hrs before we lost them and headed in for the day . Some were the 20inch type . No walleye or cats today. Got a lure in a mystery tackle box that I don’t remember the name , it’s got a big heavy head and a metal body , it was very effective. A little windy at times today but not as hot and pretty comfortable
Hey, good job on the wipers…I’m no expert at Willard, still learning, but I think most guys will agree that if you’re catching alot of wipers trolling, you’re probably going 2 to 2.5 mph, and if you’re targeting the walleye or cats you’ll need to cut that speed almost in half…either way, it’s all fun, especially the learning part…Guluk…
Your mystery lure may be a blade bait like the Heddon Sonar.
Trolling speed was the difference , on the motor I was 2.5 to 3.0 mph
Switched to electric and slowed to 1.5 to 2.0 that’s when we got all the bites . I was targeting wipers but sometimes I’ve been surprised with a cat or walleye . This is the first year I’ve fished this lake so I’m just starting out and learning new stuff every time I’m out . And, yes, the learning part is a lot of fun.
Trolling speed was the difference , on the motor I was 2.5 to 3.0 mph
Switched to electric and slowed to 1.5 to 2.0 that’s when we got all the bites . I was targeting wipers but sometimes I’ve been surprised with a cat or walleye . This is the first year I’ve fished this lake so I’m just starting out and learning new stuff every time I’m out . And, yes, the learning part is a lot of fun.
I have read that electric is the way to go for Willard, likely due to being a shallow lake and the gas kicker makes a lot more noise that bounces off the bottom. I am hoping to get the boat up there next week for our first trip to Willard.
Motor noise (gas or electric) is the reason tubers, tooners and yakkers can be so effective. We don’t make any.
There are similarities to the sonar but has much heavier head and a flat piece of metal that wiggles and flashes . This one is all nickel no paint
Electric trolling motor is definitely a better idea . I’m not set up to troll all day with mine so I use sparingly . I do want to get planer boards , I think they will help with noise
electrics are nice but i have caught many walleye at Willard with the water less than 10 feet deep with both my Honda and Yamaha trolling motors bottom bouncing a worm harness directly under the boat .
Could you post a picture of the board you are using? I have been thinking about making one for each side of my boat. Then having one main line that I can send out multiple clips on. I like getting the lines out away from the boat but I agree with you that a standard planer board is not that user friendly.
So , the yellow planer boards aren’t the best to use ? Is it better to make them ? I really don’t know much about them . Any help would be apreciated
IF you make your own boards, you will have to use a heavy cord to attach them to the boat, you then use release clips to attach your line to the board or line. The boards are pretty much a permanent set while fishing, the release clips hold your line, then release it when a fish strikes. Commercial rigs with heavy duty reels and even a mast to get the main line up out of the water are out there, Google planner boards and look at what is available.
heres a picture of the ones I made they work great and make wiper / walleye fishing even more fun