Date Fished: 5/25/03
Water Temperature: 83
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

The weatherman has given us some fantastic conditions for this Memorial day weekend and the bass have decided to top off these conditions with a very cooperative bite. Today the sky was clear of clouds, and there was a mild breeze to keep things cool. Not surprisingly however, the bite wasn't the same for all.

We started out this morning on the Farm and Joe landed this fish as the sun rose over the horizon giving us a Minolta morning. The bait is obvious based on the picture but as in real estate, the location is everything.

It wasn't long before Judy decided that she wouldn't be outdone and landed this beauty using the Chug Bug also.

After fishing this area for a bit we moved over to the SW are of the Farm because yesterday Joe and I had a really good bite going there. Today wasn't going to be quite the same however, and although we had some blow-ups, we just weren't able to connect.

Our next move found us checking the stump field on the Marsh but the only thing there were smaller bass and they would only hit on the worm. Since we were looking for top water action off we went to Twin Palms. As I started just west of the Palms Joe connected on his second cast, but that was the end of that. It was as if someone had decided to throw a switch and the bite stopped. We tried several different things but all to no avail. After an hour of this it was time to make another move so off to the south end of the Marsh we went.

This would prove to be our last move and some experimentation with bait would find us the right bait. I was marking fish on the graph everywhere, but they wouldn't take any of our offerings. We did have a couple of blow-ups on the Bug but both missed and wouldn't come back. I decided perhaps something moving at a steady pace on the surface might turn the trick and that decision turned out to be 100% correct. A buzz bait was the choice and after two fish in two casts it didn't take but a couple of minutes and we were all throwing them. It was exactly what the bass wanted and we finished out the day fishing about a 75 foot circle of wood.

I had two great days with Joe and Judy Blackburn and hope to see them again. Scott had out Sean Groer and Derek Vines for a 1/2 day today and showed them several areas of the Farm and Marsh for them to work over the next couple of days. They didn't have a lot of time to fish but while they did they also had top water bass to play with.

See you on the water. 

This is top water time! Book now through September and save, save, save. Also, catch, catch, catch. Book the first day at the normal rate of $275.00 and get the second day for only $125.00. That is a $150.00 savings.

Date Fished: 5/24/03
Water Temperature: 82
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

Chug Bug, Chug Bug, Chug Bug

Chug-a, Chug-a, Chug-a Bug

And then there is always:
Chug, Chug, Chug-a, Chug Bug

Today the bite, as it has been for a while now, was top water. We have it on the Marsh and we have it on the Farm. The only trick is to find which area and what time. We started on the Marsh and ended on the Farm with the Farm being the area that worked best. We caught them in the SW and we caught them out in the open.

This is top water time! Book now through September and save, save, save. Also, catch, catch, catch. Book the first day at the normal rate of $275.00 and get the second day for only $125.00. That is a $150.00 savings.

Date Fished: 5/20/03
Water Temperature: 78
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

Weather: The temperatures for the month have been warm and yesterday was no exception. Most days we have had a slight breeze to keep things feeling cool but the last couple of days we have had some real slack periods. However, as is with a lot of the summer months, afternoon storms come in and cool things off. Be aware that the summer afternoon storms can be quite rough so be ready to get off the water until they pass. Lightning is a real problem and getting hit is a very real possibility if you stay out in one of these storms. As well as being aware of the weather and the forecast make sure that you have plenty of fluid to drink and protective sunscreen.

Water levels: Our water is up for this time of the year, but it is dropping rapidly as irrigation needs of the Farm have increased with the lack of rain. Running across the Stick Marsh can prove hazardous to your health and the integrity of your hull and motor so I would be very cautious about doing so.

Tim Hendrickson and his friend Gary are down from Tenn. and came out to test the waters of the Marsh/Farm. We started out in the Farm throwing Chug Bugs. We worked several of the Farm's south areas but the fishing was much slower than it had been the last few days. Scott and I had been out in the same areas yesterday and had picked up 22 bass in less than a half day, but it didn't seem like it was going to happen today.

By 9:30 with only a few bass in the boat we moved off to the Marsh side to see if the pickings would be any better. I think the first fish came on the second cast once on location and from then until quitting time, (which was about 30 minutes early due to impending storms), the bite was steady. Big fish from this area was about 7 pounds, and yes, they all came on Chug Bugs. Retrieves were mixed as has been the case lately, and some came when it was sitting still, some came when it was being walked, and some came when it was popped a couple of times and then let sit still.

As we idled back to the ramp across the Marsh, with the motor trimmed up we did bump quite a few stumps so be careful out there.
See you on the water.

Summer special: Book the first day at full rate, ($275.00) and get the 2nd day for $125.00.
 

Date Fished: 5/17/03
Water Temperature: 78
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

Randy Mclean and Karen came out to sample some of the topwater bite that we have had lately and they were not disappointed. Early on we caught them n the south end of the Farm with Chug Bugs and the bite lasted most of the day. There were a few more boats out today and we did have to move but the south end isn't the only place holding bass. They can be found along the ditches also.

We did some investigation and we settled on a spot out on the Farm. It was out in the middle of the Farm and the patch of hydrilla was no more than a quarter acre if even that big. It did however hold a lot of bass and we fished this area for the rest of the day. They went into a lull around 2:00, but a switch to weightless Senkos kept the bass coming. The weather was great, the fishing was great, and Randy and Karen kept me laughing all day.

You don't need a big tackle box right now. Chug Bugs, rattletraps, Senkos, and spinner baits will fill the bill. You probably won't get the Chug Bug out, but if there is a lull you can just about bet that a weightless Senko will get them biting again. Look for hydrilla and hit the edges. Some of the holes in the matted areas are holding some big bass, so be ready to hold on.

See you out there. Say hi if you get a chance. Check our page for summer specials.

No giant bass today, but certainly respectable ones. If there was grass there were bass and if you put your Chug Bug near the grass you got the bass. Casting is an important part of fishing and casting accuracy is an absolute must when working in this environment. The bass in most cases are either right against the grass or located in holes in the mat.

The weatherman in control of the weather has been good to us and today was no different. He did throw in a bit of contrary wind but nothing that we couldn't handle. Steve's new Bass Cat ran great, the fish cooperated, and we had a great day.

See you on the water. Say hi if you get the chance, and remember we are just a phone call away if you want to get out and sample some of this great fishing.

Date Fished: 5/13/03
Water Temperature: 78
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

The weatherman said that it would be great, the boat was fueled, and we were primed to putting the Chug Bug to work. We started at daylight and fished until 2:30. A slightly magnified breeze kept us cool and an abundance of cooperating bass kept us on track.

It wasn't the blistering pace of some of our previous trips but the bite was steady and what we didn't get in quantity was absolutely made up in quality. Our first bass over 5 pounds tipped the Boga Grip at 7.5 pounds. She inhaled the Chug Bug when it was accurately placed in her hiding hole, well inside a hydrilla mat. With the wind blowing at 15 the cast by Scott was absolutely precise, the bass's hit was on the mark and then it was all up to me. Thank goodness for the 101 pounds of thrust as we beat our way into the mat and wrested this lady from her weedy hideout.

As I worked to get the boat back to open water my partner, (Scott), took advantage of me being busy and hit another hole a bit further back in the mat. I remember muttering something like "thanks!" when I heard the water explode and a grunt from the back deck. "She's a big one", Scott yelled, as he fought to keep her head up and out of the solid mat of hydrilla that separated her from the boat. I turned in time to see the massive head shaking as the big lady attempted to throw the bug. I brought the trolling motor up to all 101 pounds and pushed our way towards her as quickly as I could. Scott did an excellent job of keeping her up and within a minute or two she came into the boat.

Out came the Boga Grip, the camera and smiles all around. The grand Dame weighed in at just short of 11.5.

By days end we had boated 59 cooperating bass and probably missed half again as many. Several came when the bug was sitting still including the big one for the day but most hit as the bug moved along at a walk.

The top water bite is here and it's strong. Give us a call and we will be more than glad to get you out there. We have quite a few openings for May and June so don't be bashful.

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

Date Fished: 5/1-8/2003
Water Temperature: high 70's
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet


The first week of May has to be classified as outstanding for those that like to use top water baits. The weather has been good, water levels are up, and the fish have been cooperating fully.

On the Farm side the fish are spread across the south end and they are biting a myriad of baits; however the best bite we have found goes to the Chug Bite. Yesterday, as has been the case for most of the days in the last few weeks, we didn't find it necessary to switch off the bug as the bass bit it all day. There have been a couple of days where the wind got up a bit, which made Senkos and traps a better choice, however for the most part top water has been the stronger bait.

We have noted that the fish are moving out the ditches slowly but surely and with that movement we are watching for shad activity. So far it has been minimal but I am pretty sure that this is going to be one of those years.

We are seeing some pretty impressive fish on top water also. So far this month we have had several fish over 7 pounds and watched a couple over 10 fly through the air and knock the bug out in the heavy hydrilla.

On the Stick Marsh side we have found some top water activity in the NW corner, out at Twin Palms, out in the middle of the Marsh and at the cut out of the center ditch. We have had more success on the Marsh with weightless Senkos in all those locations.

Yesterday’s trip launched at daylight and ended at 3:00. Well over 70 bass smashed the bug with some very interesting aerial acts being presented. There is just nothing to get the adrenalin going like watching the chug bug getting knocked into the air and then disappearing when it lands back on the surface.

See you out there. Say hi if you get a chance.