January 2005

Submitted 1/28/05

Whenever you get into bass fishing circles the conversation always swings around to the topic of big bass. In conjunction the question always comes up as to where one might be able to go and have a really good chance at catching a truly big bass. Without exception Florida is at the top of the list of areas, and the top listed lake in that state that is known for truly big bass is without a doubt Stick Marsh/Farm 13.

Adjacent to the Stick Marsh/Farm13 are three "sister" lakes and various canals. South of the Marsh is Ansin/Garcia, a lake with its own reputation for good fishing and an excellent amount of above water cover to help protect you on those windy days. Ansin/Garcia is located off of route 512 just 1.5 miles north of route 60. Southwest of the Marsh is Blue Cypress well known for its excellent crappie fishing and scenic beauty. Blue Cypress is the only natural lake of the group and access is off of Blue Cypress road, which runs north off of route 60, just 3 miles east of Yee Haw Junction. West of the Stick Marsh is Kenansville Lake. Access to Kenansville is a bit of a trek so it is the least fished of the Blue Cypress Water Management Area. Access to Kenansville is by way of 12.5 miles of dust, bumps, and ruts known as Kenansville road. There is also access from Blue Cypress Lake, via the M-canal and a transition canal, which is a 30-minute + boat ride.

The combination of lakes and the variety of fishing available make for without a doubt the finest and most scenic fishing available anywhere in this great land of ours. Although the Stick Marsh is the place to be 9 out of 10 days, there are times when the wind makes fishing it a bit difficult, remember that there are other options close by.

Both the just short of 12-pound hog pictured on the scale above, and the 7-pound lady above are just samples of the possibilities of big fish to be had from this area.

When fishing here you always need to be ready because any cast can be the big one. Not every day will bring her out but your chances just don't get any better no matter how far you travel. We are coming into those magic months where there will be one or more caught on the Marsh every day. February, March, April, and May are big bass months in the south and you can be in on the best the south has to offer. Whether booking a trip, or just coming for a few days of fun in the sun give us a call and we will be glad to help in whatever way we can.

See you on the water.

Submitted 1/23//05

Look to the right of that picture and you will see current. I don't know too many that aren't aware that if there is current there is a good chance that there are bass in it. Weather and wind make the spillway area a good place to be during those conditions and we have had our share of that over the last two weeks. Yesterday Scott went there late but was able to get into a good spot for the bass.

Another out of the current but smaller, however if you look over his right shoulder there is a great picture of a pelican. These brown pests are drawn to the area because of the shiners being fished and hooking them is not uncommon. However, they are a beautiful bird and one of the plusses of fishing on the Marsh/Farm.

Saturday started with some of the densest fog I have ever encountered.  Friday while we were out scouting we noted both Stan Daniels and Hugh Crumpler fishing in the northwest area as we worked the inside ditch, and Stan reported some success with wild shiners. Scott headed west, after a conversation with Hugh, along the tree line rather than attempt the run across the lake. People are known to run around on the Marsh/Farm without lights which makes a fog situation extremely dangerous, so running wasn't a very good option. The fog stayed dense until 11:00 so Scott also tried some other close areas, but lack of success made him take a chance with the spillway and as luck would have it, the right spot was there.

Friday was a scouting day for us and out first area was the ditch on the north end of the Marsh. There is a section that is pretty shallow and we were able to find some fish there, but size was lacking. We then went down the ditch and over into the flats off the C54. This area, commonly called the back lot at times can produce pretty well, but only a few answered to the call of a white spinner bait. We then moved out in the northwest area of the Marsh and worked the trees and wood in that area. Nothing responded so it was off to the Farm and the extreme southwest. The area looks good and is easy to navigate with the high levels of water. It was the only area that we saw gators all day, and on the shorelines they were there in abundance. One pack all lying together had 10+ gators soaking up the sun trying to get warm.

We then worked across the entire south end of the Farm with some pretty negative results. The frontal passage had done its job and the bass were in their usual non-cooperative mode. However, current will usually get the bass going no matter the front or wind, and our customers from yesterday were set up in the spillway area with shiners. Fishing from an area outside the current did produce one over 10 for them, which I always love to hear. Thursday they had worked Ansin/Garcia with Scott and it had been a tough day out there for them, so we were really glad that they had success on Friday.

Saturday I ran into friend Doug Gilley were I was fishing and we compared some notes on what is being seen in some of the areas he fishes. One of the things he noted was a lack of any spawn action in his areas which coincides with what I am seeing in this area. I did see some activity on Garcia, but I have yet to pull out an egged up or red bellied female on any of our trips on the Marsh. We don't see much tail distress here because of the soft bottom, but there is no missing the enlarged belly loaded with eggs, or the numerous red spots on the belly after several males have nudged the eggs from her sac. Doug's report pretty much coincides with what Bob Eisenhauer, head fishery biologist for the region, noted in the area. We chatted with him a couple of hours two weeks ago when he was out doing a shock survey on part of the water management area. Based on the feedback we are getting and our observations we expect an absolute tremendous February and March this year.

Although close to the Marsh, the area I was fishing on Saturday and its bass population acted totally opposite in response to the front. I left the ramp prior to dark headed for a recently discovered hot spot. With all the appropriate navigation necessities marked I was able to get to where I wanted to be without a hitch and I never saw another boat until the fog lifted around 11:00. Starting with a buzz bait I managed several bass including one just short of 9-pounds. The area has mixed grasses and lily pads and Saturday they were all located in or next to arrowhead. Last time here it was the lily pads. After my chat with Doug I headed back with memories of over 30 bass being caught. Some that were caught in the periods of densest fog will be remembered for a long time.

See you on the water. If you are looking for a trip in February or March we do have a few openings left. Give us a call, or say hi if you see us out there.

Submitted by George & Scott:

As the rising sun announces a new day and offers a brief moment of natures beauty one can only reflect on how lucky we are as we venture forth on Stick Marsh/Farm 13.

When you arrive to fish the Marsh/Farm and look across the large expanse of open water you might wonder where to start. With the high water that we have right now there isn't much out there to give you a visual reference, however if you could look below the surface this is what you would see. The Stick Marsh side of this lake is wall to wall wood. The area that you can see in the photo below is in the Twin Palms location looking westward, and the sunrise photo taken moments before is in the same area of course looking eastward. If you sat in the same spot today all you would see is water but the wood is there and so are the bass.

However, with the water levels up or the water levels down this lake is a fisherman's paradise and at any moment with any cast you will be treated to the best fishing you can find anywhere.

In addition to fantastic fishing wildlife is teeming with many and varied birds and of course alligators that sometimes like to try to take your expensive baits away from you. The little guy below tried to take a Chug Bug from Scott and in the process got it caught in his lower lip. However, with a some careful handling and a quick twist with the pliers we were able to remove the hook and the gator returned to the water none the worse for the meeting.

The Farm side of the lake has a mixture of fishing profiles with abundant wood on the south end of the lake to old irrigation canals that dissect the lake below the surface. At this time the apparent grass that marked these ditches is missing but with electronics they can be easily found and working their edges will on most occasions yield some really good bass.

Yesterday Bill, Brenda, Don, and Patsy were scheduled for a day of catching with us. The weatherman predicted high winds with an abnormally high chance of rain to include thunderstorms. Unlike the morning pictured above we were greeted with gray skies, however with 16-dozen shiners off we went to the spillway area in the southeast of the Farm. The parking lot was empty when we left and we never saw another boat all day. The wind was light out of the SE and although cloudy there were breaks that allowed an occasional glimpse of the stars. Bill and Brenda have fished with us several times so anticipation was high for another outstanding day that this lake is famous for.

They would not be disappointed as shiner after shiner were inhaled by willing bass. Working them free-lined produced bass after bass and produced this beauty for Patsy for big fish for the day. As the morning progressed the catfish moved in but going to floats kept the catfish at bay.

By 11 AM the group had gone through the 16-dozen shiners and were getting drenched by the rain that finally descended upon us. Although the spillway can offer a lot of protection from the wind the north wind of today drove the rain directly at us so thoughts of continued fishing came to an end and we headed back to the ramp. Occasionally above the roar of the wind and the pounding of the rain I heard the girls saying something about the "perfect storm" as we beat our way across the Farm and Marsh to the ramp. The ride back was was a scene right out of a Spielberg movie as front barreled into our area. The weather went from cloudy and calm to a downpour and winds in excess of 40 MPH directly out of the NW. However, the soaking rains and heavy surf did nothing to deter from the fantastic day of fishing and the four departed the ramp for home to dry out and prepare for their next adventure of a ten-day cruise to the Caribbean.

A test ride the day before on Garcia with the Nitro was needed as the throttle positioning sensor on the Mercury went bad and was replaced. We spent about an hour there after the test drive and managed 8 bass to 4 pounds in the hour. Garcia is a good alternative location when the winds are blowing as levees and grass lines afford wind breaks.

See you on the water. We still have a few openings in January. February and March are filling in but we do have a few openings so give us a call. With the grass being greatly reduced we are looking forward to some outstanding top water action this year so start thinking April and May. The shad will be on the move with less places to hide so the action should be hot and heavy.

Submitted by Scott:

At the young age of  9 years Ryan Edwards hit the over 10-pound club that is sought after by so many fishermen.

Grandfather Bill Okeefe gave Ryan a two day gift certificate  for Christmas and Ryan turned the trick in the first day.

The fish weighed on the Boga Grip at 10 1/4 pounds, measured 27 X17, and after photos was released back for the next lucky angler. She did all she could do to avoid her session above the water, but Ryan's skillful handling of rod and reel kept him with the upper hand. After valiant effort on her part she finally succumbed and put Ryan in the club.

Submitted by George

One of the things that draws us back to fishing time and again is the tranquility and beauty of the new day dawning. As the sun rises to light up the new day and reveal the many wonders of nature one can't help but be in awe of the blessings bestowed upon us.

Such a day was Friday as we headed out to further our knowledge in our search for that lunker bass. Equipment on deck included our ever present and biggest producing bait, the Senko. In addition a spinner bait was rigged as it has produced some nice fish over the last week or two. Last but not least was the venerable buzz bait and as luck would have it the bass opted for this enticing noisemaker to swing at first.

If you get the chance to fish where big fish grow and hit the right spot with your presentation the prize is that bass that exceeds that elusive 10-pound or bigger mark and today we did that three times. Scott's 11+ gal hit a precisely place Yamamoto cut tail. The fight was explosive and in the heavy weed, but the Power Pro line and the Gammy hook did their jobs.

Again, the right bait, the right presentation with a weightless Senko.

It's amazing how quickly the day goes by when you are out on the water. By the time we got our 3 bass over 10 pounds it was nearing time to head back. However we did have one other spot to check so after catching, weighing and photographing this pretty lady off we went.

I couldn't have been happier with the results as we took this picture of our last fish for the day. In between the putting together of this little photo journal we caught numerous bass from 3-5 pounds. We had one fish that wouldn't have been of legal size throughout the day and caught over 50.

Again:

Baits: Yamamoto Senkos and buzz baits. Fish were very tight to cover but would charge the bait if you hit the cover. Water temperatures in the low 60's and clarity of about 1-1.5 feet. Air temperatures were in the upper 70's to the low 80's and the wind was only a light breeze.

Give us a call; Book a trip and sample some of Florida's fine fishing and fantastic weather.

 

Submitted by George

Fishing in our area has been one that needs an intimate knowledge of available cover and structure on Stick Marsh/Farm 13. There are times that you only need to follow the other boats to be on the fish, but such is not the case at this time. Wind, fronts, and lack of hydrilla have all combined to alter a few things, but that does not mean that the fish aren't there. They are and they will bite if you and the fish are located in the same place.

If you are fishing with shiners I think you all know where to head, but the competition for casting spots is going to be strong. In order to find yourself in the right place you need to launch earlier and this can open up a can of worms for safe navigation. Those that are out there all the time have a pretty good idea where the floaters, (those insidious hidden logs), are and can hence avoid them even when it is dark. Those that aren't out there all that much run a very heavy risk of doing damage to the boat if a log is encountered. If you are making your annual visit here it might be cost effective to get with one of the guides for a day to figure out what is going on here.

There are days when wind becomes a problem for the artificial anglers. Last year it was a case of put out some wind socks for drift control and work the grass areas. The socks work great for a somewhat random drift, but when your drift needs to be absolutely held to a path that is only 8 feet wide they don't work as well. The fishing right now demands that kind of control as the fish are going to be found by those that work the ditch edges on Farm 13. Two things are need to be successful at this type of fishing. Excellent electronics so that you can maintain the boat in the ditch, and patience because the bass have been moving about. Where you find them today may not even be close to them tomorrow so you need the patience to hunt them down. An excellent search method has been the Carolina rig which of course calls for slow fishing. The rattletrap has worked to some extent, but not as efficiently.

The water is clearing gradually as the days over the last week continually improved. However by mid-morning the wind has come up with occasional gusts to the high teens and if you are sitting out in the middle of the Farm or the Marsh this makes for a bit of difficult fishing. If you get here and the wind does kick up you do have alternatives, and I can assure you the guides have an ace or two in the hole if this occurs.

We have, over the last couple of days, been giving ourselves a refresher course on just such locations and the results have been extremely good. Yesterday's foray with Scott, Don Willis and myself resulted in over 40 bass in the boat.

Senkos were the producer today and they produced quantity and quality.

Everyone got in on the act with some really nice fish. As you can see, the wind was down but with the vegetation around us the wind was never a factor throughout the day.

No shiners, no spillway, no heavy competition were all factors that contributed to a great day on the water. Don't get me wrong; if you are looking to fish shiners on the Marsh then you best be where the action is, but if you want to fish artificial bait and the weather or conditions throw a curve your way we do have alternatives.

Give us a call; we have openings yet in January and would be glad to show you the Marsh, or if need be or wanted other good locations as well. See you on the water.