Submitted 1/19/07: George

Terry Wilson's crew from Alpharetta, Georgia joined us for a day on Ansin/Garcia with Steve P. helping out with the second boat on the 14th. With it being another windy day the crew went for the Garcia option over getting blown around on the Marsh. Although it was not the most productive day as the crew managed between 20 and 30 bass. Bait of choice was a swimming worm and spinner bait.

Ray Smith from Topeka, Kansas joined me for a day on Farm 13 on the 16th. The wind finally laid down but the water from the last several days was a bit clouded and the bass weren't all that willing to play. We picked at them throughout the day in the southern end of the Farm.

John Robbins and Ralph Knox of Gaffney, SC joined me on Ansin/Garcia on the 17th, and Farm 13 on the 18th. The wind blew strong out of the ENE on the 17th but the windsock kept the drift slow and swimming worms, spinner baits, and frogs kept things lively. Most drifts produced throughout the day so the numbers were quite good.

This gal fell for the frog being swum across the surface at a good clip. Ralph had the big fish for the 17th.

On the 18th we headed to the Marsh - the wind was down and the day promised to be fairly decent. Early morning fog greeted us at the ramp and as is the case on most foggy mornings the bite was off. We worked our way from the southwest area of the Farm to Pin Ball Alley. We had a short burst of a bite during the late morning but the previous days of wind again had made the

water muddy. John today led with big fish for the day. Overall the fishing was slow.

The bass have headed towards the bedding areas several time in preparation of spawn but wind and weather has pushed them out. Each time we get on the Marsh it's a hunting game all over.

See you out there.

 

Submitted 1/12/07: George

Brian Graves, John Cooper, and Derek arrived for 3 days of fishing on the 10th and were greeted with cold temps and winds that ranged from 15-30+ MPH.

Day one we headed to the south end of the Farm and watched the water get dirty. We managed a few fish by moving about the area tying off on one stump and then the next. The fish we caught came on the Yamamoto SwimSenko that was T-rigged with a 3/16 ounce weight. Providing entertainment for the trip was my good friend Don (WWF). He volunteered to assist with the third person at the request of the crew. Little did they know what they were getting themselves into.

Day two had a worse forecast so the solution was a trip to Garcia. We pushed back the start time so that the two old me, (Don and I), wouldn't have to freeze our butts off. The ramp was pretty deserted when we arrived which meant all the more fish for us. Starting out in the north impoundments we picked up a few fish but nothing of note. However, with the cold no one was ready to face the long ride up the Zig Zag until it warmed a bit.

By 10:00 we decided the run had to made so everyone bundled up and off we went. We weren't there but 5 minutes when a line made that snapping sound and a pole was seriously bent from a fish on.

As luck would have it out boat scored the first big fish of the day. By day's end the results were fair but they certainly could have been better.

Day three was a repeat performance weather-wise so the option was again Garcia and again a delayed start. The change was the front had passed and the wind that had howled for two days out of the north was now howling out of the east. The run was straight to the Zig Zag and with warmer temperatures coming in early it was hoped that production would be really good. It didn't work out that way as we struggled for every bite that we got throughout the day. The passing front could be blamed, but the guys opted to blame the Legend of Don (WWF). The jinx was on and since Don was carrying the 3rd member of the crew there was no way to pay him to leave the area.

It was memorable trip with three great friends on board. This was only one of many trips that Brian and crew have fished with me and although the fishing wasn't the greatest on this trip, the comradeship was the greatest. Lively banter between the two boats, Don (WWF), and the crew made it definitely a trip to remember.

If the wind blows Garcia is definitely a viable place to be able to get out of some of that wind and catch some fish.

See you on the water: say hi if you get the chance.

 

Submitted 1/8/2007: George

The bass want to play! They have moved in from the fields and are all across the south end of the Farm! Jack Huff and party have been out with us several times and today as their previous trips the bass were there for them. The wind blew after the fog lifted but not enough to make things too difficult, and swimming T-rigged plastics proved to be the best way to get the bass. Yamamoto SwimSenkos and other plastics swam through and around the wooded areas produced throughout the day. Steve P. gave a excellent assist today with half the party and between the two boats 60+ bass made it for the tally.

Jack Huff this year

Jack last year - same place: same quality of fish
 

Tom Frye & Bob Jones - Bob had the misfortune of dropping the big fish of the day right at boats edge,
 

Bill Vaughan

Tom Frye

See you out there: say hi if you get the chance.

 

Submitted 1/7/2007: George

Ron and Diane Bonofiglio of Vinton, Va. decided that a bass trip to the Marsh would be a good addition to their vacation here in sunny Florida. With high anticipation they met me at the ramp, ready for the catching, and greeted by a sunshine filled morning that boded well for a great day on the water. The wind was going to blow a bit today, (10-20 MPH), but it's direction was such that where I wanted to fish the water would stay relatively calm.

Starting with top water did not prove to be too successful so we switched to plastics. I had Rob and Diane working a Senko and I plied the waters to see it it could be another Yamamoto Swim Senko day. Within the first 5 minutes we were thoroughly convinced that the Swim Senko was the way to go..

We are working the Swim Senko T-rigged using an 1/8 to 1/4 ounce weight. Line weights we use here are 17-20#. Mixed retrieves found that the best retrieve was a medium crank using 6:3/1 reels. The bite was similar to that of a bite on a spinner bait in that the rod would just load up. It didn't take much of a hookset to ensure that the bass would make it to the boat.

Wooded areas of the south end of the Farm which are typically bedding areas are holding a good population of bass. A key to having a good day is to not leave an area once you find fish. Stay put and really work the area. The bite on some days will come and go in spurts, and if you stay put you will be where you need to be for that next spurt.

We had a great day on the water: lots of bass and lots of laughs. Thanks Ron and Diane for another great day on the Marsh.

See you out there: say hi if you get the chance.

 

 

Submitted 1/6/2007: George

Water Temps: 74
Air Temps: low 80's
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet
Best Baits: Yamamoto Swimming Senko and Chug Bug
 
Monday I worked the Marsh briefly and the results were mediocre. Wednesday was the same. Artificials coaxed a few bass, but nothing to write home about.
 
This morning I teamed up with Don Willis and we headed for the Farm. It was a late start and we were greeted with warm temperatures and clear weather.  
 
Starting just south of the E/W ditch we worked our way southward throwing spinner baits, rattle traps, and plastics without much success. Things were about to change as we got deeper into the southern end of the Farm. I switched to the Yamamoto Swimming Senko and almost immediately had a bass on. And so it went for the balance of the morning as we gathered bass on most casts.  
 
Don switched out to a chug bug and had a bass within the first couple of casts. Yamamoto Swimming Senkos and top water were the  baits that produced consistently over the three hours that we fished.  
 
I have eighteen trips over the next three weeks and I expect that they are going to be in for some dynamic fishing as the bass will stay put for the next couple of months. As they prepare for the upcoming spawn I would to expect to find the larger bass outside, although they will be roving females wandering the bedding areas.  
 
Three bass slammed the chug bug today that were in excess of seven pounds  and the balance of the thirty two that made it to the boat were a mixed bag of Senko and Bug biters.  
 
I still have some January openings and of course February and March openings also. Give a call, because the action is here! See you on the water: say hi if you get the chance.

 

Submitted 1/5/2007: George

This first week of 2007 bodes well for what is expected for the upcoming year. The bass are moving toward spawning grounds as evidenced by the beds we can see, and the quality of the bass, as well as the quantity that we are catching. Both the Stick Marsh and Ansin/Garcia have seen a rise in numbers as well as size.

Yesterday was a day of scouting as well as catching as Don, Steve, and I worked several areas of Ansin/Garcia. Steve started the day off with one of the most spectacular top water hits that I have ever seen. Unfortunately she didn't stay buttoned, sliding back to the watery depths, and disappearing to be caught another  time. Steve made up for it a short time later, but it wasn't the monster bass of that first strike, still she was still a respectable gal that was full of fight.

Yesterday was also a day for testing Yamamoto's Swimming Senko, which proved to be an extremely productive bait. Working the bait, using a 1/4 sinker, over submerged hydrilla proved the ticket to boating 45+ bass. Cranking the bait at a fast clip was all it took to get strike after strike. Between the morning top water and the Yamamoto Swimming Senko time we boated 54+ for the day.

Thursday I had out another of our regular customers: Cliff and Grace Schoonmaker hail from the Kingston area of New York, but spend the winter keeping warm in Sebastian, Florida. Cliff at a spry 81 years of age still fishes with the Hudson Bassmasters. Grace led the way this year with biggest fish as we plied the waters of Ansin/Garcia.

It didn't take her long to add to her collection of good size bass as she landed another to seal her lead for big fish for the day.

Working other areas of the lake were Steve P, Don Willis, and friend Don. Top water and Yamamoto Swimming Senkos were again the key to their 44+ day.

Fishing is a sport that involves so much more than just catching fish. The enjoyment of all that surrounds you, the friendship of the people that you share the boat with, and spectacular vistas are all part and parcel of the entire fishing adventure. The Sunrise on Thursday was one of the spectacular beginnings that so often greet you.

It's going to be a busy month this month but I still have some opening, so if you are going to be in the area and want to get out give us a call. See you on the water: say hi if you get the chance.