Date Fished: 7/30-31/03
Water Temperature: 83
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

The fishing has become as hot as the weather. Scott and Don launched yesterday at daylight and by 1:00 they had over 30 bass to their credit. Rattletraps, chug bugs, and Senkos worked their magic as they lured the bass to the boat.

The only difference was the where. Although some came off the center ditch they weren't as active as they had been yesterday here. Almost none could be found on the ditch to the west and where we had been marking a lot of fish yesterday, hardly any were to be seen today.

The grass east of the eastern ditch and towards the spillway produced with Senkos. Bass were busting shad on the point of grass at the end of the separation ditch. Bass were busting shad at the intersection of the center ditch.

Today, Scott and I launched at daylight and went to the south end of the center ditch. However, even the stragglers of yesterday had seem to have disappeared. As we neared the intersection a school of shad wandered through and for the next hour it got pretty hot and heavy. That was the last shad bust we saw today.

From there we ran to the SE corner of the Farm to check the moving water and hit pay dirt. Bass came from up inside, and bass came from outside. Rattletraps thrown to the right location inside proved lethal as did the Carolina rigged Senkos we were throwing on the outside. We quit at 1:00 with over 100 bass to the boat. Big fish for both days was between 4 and 5 pounds.

See you on the water.

Submitted by George: Imagination Bassin Guide Services

Date Fished: 7/29/03
Water Temperature: 83
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

The weather is hot, the water is warm, and the fishing are biting. They are biting on the intersections, they are biting in the grass, and they are biting along the ditches.

However, they weren't biting chug bugs, and they weren't biting buzz baits. Today they were biting rattletraps, spinner baits, and Senkos, in that order. Over thirty bass hit and made it into the boat by 12:00. Most of them came on a 1/2 ounce Bill Lewis rattletrap in chrome/blue.

We started this morning at about 7AM in the south central area of the Farm. There is a line of grass that runs from west to east and last time out we had found some bass on it. The first bass came on the second cast of a Senko, but we only had a couple of more hits over the next hour. We tried top waters on the mat south of there, and we tried soft jerk baits, but all to no avail.

I moved over to the south end of the middle ditch and started working northward on the east side of the ditch. Throwing rattletraps to the grass that lines this ditch proved to be the ticket as we worked our way north to beyond the intersection.

From there we moved westward to the next ditch and again started north. This time we traveled in the ditch and threw traps and spinner baits to both sides. The more productive side was the west side and the more productive bait was the rattletrap. Big fish was about 4.5 pounds and most of the bigger fish came from our last run.

On Sunday we made another run to Toho but it wasn't the best decision. Several clubs were holding tournaments there and boats ran willy-nilly in every direction. The bite was tough as the bass dodged screaming propellers and basically went into hiding. At least they went into hiding where we were fishing.

Plan for warm weather with a possibility of rain. Have plenty to drink, good sun protection, and good sun glasses. Don't forget the camera, and don't forget the kids.

See you on the water. Say hi if you get the chance.

1/2 day and full day trips available on the Marsh. 1/2 day goes from daylight until 11-11:30AM and full day goes from daylight till 3PM. Book now through the end of September for a full day, ($275.00) and get the second full day for ($125.00).

Submitted by George: Imagination Bassin Guide Services

THIS REPORT IS FOR LAKE TOHO

Date Fished: 7/24/03
Water Temperature: 84
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

Cleaner water, lots of offshore scattered hydrilla, Chug Bugs, Rattletraps, and Senkos all combined to produce an excellent day of fishing.

It was about 7 as we prepared to launch out of Lake Front Park and with few people present we were off and headed south within 5 minutes.

First stop was the south side of Brown's point, three to four hundred yards in from the point, where we found plenty of scattered hydrilla, and bass willing to play almost immediately. In this area the hydrilla was too heavy for the Rattletrap, and they didn't want top water, but they fell for a watermelon weightless Senko with no problem.

Working our way to the point we found the hydrilla getting more spread out and went to work with rattletraps. We found throughout our time here that if you were in water that you could work the trap through, then you were going to catch bass.

Moving east and south from Brown's Point we simply went from one area of hydrilla to the next. At approximately 11 we spotted a shad bust and it was close enough to get to. Chug Bugs produced instantly and when they went back down following up with the Senko was the answer.

Moving along the south and keeping about 600 yards off the shore we found one group of bass after the other. Our last move was to turn north about 1/2 way between the locks and South Port, moving from one patch to the next. All three baits came into play as we encountered hydrilla, shad, and bass. At 1:00 PM we were back at the ramp and had reeled 53 bass to the boat. Fantastic weather and fantastic fishing.

What we keyed on were those patches of hydrilla that had cleaner water. We noted that as soon as the water darkened (clouded) up the bite dropped. Our Chug Bugs were chrome/blue, our traps were chrome/blue 1/2 ounce, and the Senkos were some version of dark.

The splash was tremendous as Scott worked the fluke through the heavy hydrilla. An unseen monster had latched onto the bait and with mighty tail sweeps fought back for all she was worth.

Alas, no mega-bass, just a small gator that had been hiding and waiting for an unsuspecting prey to come its way.
 
Many times the gators will swing at you baits in the heavy slop but most times the miss, and even if they connect, most often they won't be hooked. This wasn't the case for this little gator so we latched onto her to bring her aboard to remove the hook.

At about 5 foot long she definitely was the big catch of the day.

 
She definitely exceeded the 30 pound scale on the Boga Grip. Scott held her and I removed the hook. Upon release she just meandered off looking for her next likely bit of breakfast.

Things have been a bit hectic as we raced between trips to move from Port St Lucie to Sebastian. The move is completed for the first part and today Scott and I had the chance to get out and check some of the usual locations for this time of the year.

We have had several trips over the last 10 days and the fishing has been on again, off again. Storms have shortened days in most cases as they typically will this time of the year. Some have been brief and some hung in there, but in every case if there was lightening we headed for the ramp. There is just something about be lit up that I just don't take a fancy to.

The fish have been found scattered both on the Farm and on the Marsh. The ditches and grass mats have been the producing areas on the Farm, and the SW area and Twin Palms have been the producers on the Marsh. Rattletraps, top water, and plastics have been the mainstay baits throughout the day. Scattered grass areas have been good for a variety of top water baits, which included Chug Bugs, buzz baits, and soft jerk baits. As the top water waned we would go to rattletraps and soft jerk baits.

Today we started in the SW of the Farm with top water and the picture shows Scott holding the first fish of the day which I caught on a buzz bait.

Later in the day over in the SE area of the Farm this fish I am holding came on a weightless Senko and she came off the grass edge of the mat you see behind me.

One of the great things this lake offers is the ever present opportunity for quality fish and today was no exception. Although we did not catch a lot of fish we did get some nice ones. We had 16 by 1:00 and headed back to the ramp. There were no shad busts today, and we didn't find them stacked up anywhere. However, we did have a great day with great weather, and that's what fishing is all about.

We did bring Don (Hmmm World's Worst Fisherman) with us for the third caster and he didn't ruin his reputation today. We heard him muttering to himself as he occasionally missed the fish that swung at his baits. He did catch 2 so as to not seem completely at loss, but after that I think he was just tying the bait to the line and not using a hook. Next time you will get them Don!

See you on the water. Say Hi if you get the chance.

Don't forget! Book 2 days for anytime through the end of September and get the 2nd day for only $125.00. That's a saving of $150.00 off our normal rate..

Date Fished: 7/11/03
Water Temperature: 88
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

Today I had the pleasure of taking Michelle and Craig Schilling for what would turn out to be a great day of Bass fishing. Beginning at 6:30 we headed straight for Farm 13 with hopes of some Top Water action. Starting out on the center ditch we worked Chugs Bugs from the intersection to the south end of the ditch. With nothing happening I decided to run to the SW corner of the Marsh and we tried some Rattle Trap, but after only 2 misses it was time to move again. I headed to the SW corner of the Farm and we worked both Senkos and Chug Bugs. Fishing the grass where it just starts to thicken up we started catching fish right away. The bite stayed strong until 12:00pm, and after taking some pictures of a big gator it was time to move. We headed back to the intersection of the center ditch and around 1:00pm the fish turned back on and began busting shad. For the next 2 hours between Chug Bugs and Senkos many fish made there way to the boat. By the end of the day we had a total of 50 Bass with the biggest bass weighing 4.6 pounds. We never did get the big fish we were hoping for but with plenty of action through out the day a great time was had by all.

Don't forget: You still have a limited time to get in on the fantastic Summer Sale. Book day one at the regular rate of $275.00, and get day two at $125.00. The saving could pay for your motel and meals.

See you on the water. Say hi if you get the chance. Scott

Submitted by George, Imagination Bassin Guide Services

Date Fished: 7/10/03
Water Temperature: 85
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

Sometimes home work keeps me from getting my homework done and the last week has been one of those. We are in the process of moving the home base closer to the Marsh, (Sebastian, Florida), and I am getting to the point where I don't know where my right hand is and my left hand is going.

The last week’s history on the Marsh has been one of ups and downs. Temperatures have been high but the wind has kept things cool for the most part. There is a tropical storm passing through the Caribbean that is throwing unusual air mass movement our way with winds that have been predominately from the SE. More typical weather is due to move in over the weekend and afternoon T-storms should become the norm again.

We have had 6 trips out there since the 2nd with okay results but none that I would proclaim as "whoopee". We have found bass (shad busting) at the intersections in the Farm. We have found bass at the pump house on the east wall of the Farm. We have found bass in the SW area of the Marsh. We have also found bass on the north end of the eastern N/S irrigation ditch on the Farm, but none of the locations had a real consistent bite. Rattletraps, Chug Bugs, and plastics still seem to be working best. We did manage a few on spinner baits but this isn't bait that has worked well out here for a while.

Don't forget: You still have a limited time to get in on the fantastic Summer Sale. Book day one at the regular rate of $275.00 and get day two at $125.00. The saving could pay for your motel and meals.