02-26-2023, 11:31 PM
(02-26-2023, 08:53 PM)wiperhunter2 Wrote: Back in those days, 70's and 80's, I rarely fished Willard, it wasn't until they stocked the shad, then wipers that I started fishing Willard on a regular bases. I heard the stories of cats up to 20 lbs and common place 10 lbers that folks caught while trolling close to the dike but it just did not interest me at the time. Now I wish I had got out there at least once to catch one of those big old cats. We were hoping an eye would come a calling yesterday maybe even a perch but no such luck but the cats kept us entertained, you can always count on them, thank goodness.Not sure what the timetable will be this year...with all of the weird weather patterns. But as soon as the water temps hit about 40 degrees the walleyes go into a prespawn bite mode. It usually doesn't last more than a couple of weeks but if you find fish at that time they will usually hit...low and slow. Definitely different than trolling at mach 3 for them in the summer. Traditional best color plastic is white...or white with a blue back. But chartreuse can be good too...depending on water clarity. I plan to conduct some on-the-water research on the subject soon. First gotta get my wife mobile again. She is still on the mend from getting her second new knee...and I am the 24/7 primary caregiver. If I can get her doing jumping jacks and kicking field goals by mid March I'll be chasing wallies.