Submitted 11/31/06

Monday, 11/27,2006: Thirty six bass to 4 pounds out of the south central area of Farm 13. Rattle traps were the bait that the bass preferred and with the wind not too much else was workable.

Tuesday, 11/28/2006: Forty three bass to 3 pounds our of the north central areas of Ansin/Garcia. Spinner baits were the bait that proved most successful, and again wind and weed levels dictated the bait.

Wednesday, 11/29/2006: Took a trip to Orlando BPS to get a transducer for bow unit. I ended up buying a new unit, some hooks, and wandering around looking at inflated prices on most gear. No fish caught, but at least it was dry in the store. Don Willis kept me company on the 5 hour trek.

Thursday, 11/30/2006: With the new bow unit replaced, and a trolling motor change out, I thought it would be prudent to check the equipment out before my next trip. Early morning rain gave me a late start. Called Don who was willing to venture forth, so it was off to Garcia, (saving me the trip down the muddy dirt road). With all equipment functioning properly, and wind sock deployed, we went to work with a combination of jerk bait, spinner bait, and Senkos. Jerk bait and Senko did the producing for our short trip. Six bass in all with the biggest @ 2 pounds. A mid morning rain chased us to the ramp and ended the equipment test run.

Weather still is the bane of our fishing existence, with both wind and rain punishing us as we chase our elusive quarry. The good thing is there is no such thing as too much wind as we do have the backup lake of Ansin/Garcia. Not near as many big fish come from Garcia, but when the wind gets up into the 20's it is still fishable. With its grass lines there is a good deal of wind protection on Garcia, and with the season coming into full swing the heavy overbearing hydrilla has dropped back giving a lot more areas of possibility to fish.

However, my first love is the Stick Marsh, and as many have witnessed with personal experience, it is the lake of big fish and phenomenal catches. The south end of the lake has been showing an increase in bass as this is one of the primary areas for upcoming spawns. Each year the trek southward is soundly predictable and if you get to the right area the bass are plentiful and big.

Presently the bass are showing up at the outside wood with some small bucks inside surveying future nesting sites.

 

Submitted 11/23/06

The last 22 days have been days of extreme surprises on the Marsh. Yesterday, early AM risers saw snow flurries in Orlando, and those that ventured forth on the water were met with very cold temperatures, heavy winds, and tough fishing. Not only is the cold weather early for our area, but most records have been broken throughout the state. With a record breaking run of consecutive hot days, high water temperatures, and slow fishing we moved right into weather conditions completely opposite.

However, be that as it may, we have welcomed some pretty good fishermen through the period. Bob Benzinger, Clint Walls, and Walter Merchant braved the cold temperatures, and stiff winds, never putting down their rods throughout the day. Knowing that wind conditions would make things tough on the Marsh we opted for what protection we could get on Ansin/Garcia. After an extremely brisk ride the guys went to work, producing a mixed catch of bass and some very active chain pickerel.

Billy Wynn and his friend pulled their boat down from the Jacksonville area seeking some of what is a normally great time on the Marsh and were greeted on day one with lots of wind, plenty of cold, and a bit of dampness falling from the sky. I met the guys on Garcia as we pushed their day on the Marsh back a day and spent a short time showing them some spots. After dropping me back at the ramp, they went back out into messy conditions. We met the next day on the Marsh and as expected we were greeted by some pretty dirty water and a fish bite that was almost non-existent. Fishing the NW area of the Marsh and Twin Palms produced cold hands and no bites. We moved to the south end of the Farm with the same results. We managed one fish on the next move, and another as we moved to the back lot to get some wind protection. As the day progressed the wind dropped a bit so we moved again to the NW area of the Marsh, but it did nothing to increase the number of bites. When I left them at the ramp they were headed to the Farm again hoping for some improvement.

Joe O'Brien traveled down from Columbus, Ohio and him and friend Karen ran into the same situation. Wind and cold would be their partners for their trip, pretty much dampening the efforts they put forth in search of a big fish. However, as with the others they never gave up, and worked hard for what they caught.

So it went, since the 1st of this month right on through today. I'm staying home with the family and the turkey. The best producing bait has been a spinner bait, and the best producing waters have been those of Ansin/Garcia. Tomorrow morning we will be venturing out with two trips, one with shiners, and the other with artificial. Here's hoping the wind drops and the bite is on.

Have a great and safe Thanksgiving. See you out there, say hi if you pass by.

 

 

Although I cannot predict the future, or even with the guidance of N.O.A.A. and the weather channel, the upcoming weather, I can however,  based on history, tell you that November is usually a fantastic month on the Marsh.

Mark Richards traveled here 11/25/03 to gather in this 10.5 pound lady. She was caught within the first 1/2 hour of the trip on a #222 Senko.

Ron Page traveled here on 11/29/03 for this 10.25 pound lady who fell for the allure of a wild shiner.

Mike Jones found the air chilly but the fishing fantastic on 11/14/04 with the catch of this hog.

Dave Slobodkin adds another to his many big catches on 11/10/04. A regular, Dave has had many good trips on the Marsh.

Scott displaying one of so many big fish caught in November.

Paul Geary showing another lunker from his fantastic day on 11/08/05

November 2006 should be great. We need a picture of you so give us a call and let's go fishing.