JANUARY 2010

Submitted 1/31/2010

I closed out the month with three trips of which two were fair and one was pretty darn good. Pictures below are from the fair trips.





The good trip, which netted 32 bass, is devoid of pictures as I left the camera sitting on the dining room table. That's almost as bad as leaving the plug out of the boat, which I almost did the other day.

February is looking very promising. Bass are moving from the ditches on Farm 13 to their pre-spawn locations.

Submitted 1/21/2010

The cold weather has departed south Florida leaving behind a decimated population of no-native exotics. Tilapia and Plecostomus pepper the surface of the water as they have no tolerance to the below 55 degrees that our waters reached. Both of these species are plant eaters so their reduction in numbers have no effect on the forage base. Most of the forage base is made up of Threadfin Shad, and golden Shiners, and both species have a substantial toleration level to cold waters, so for the most part they really weren't affected.

As one moves south of our location this reduction of non-natives will mean less competition for forage base. The Peacock Bass, Chiclids, and other non-native fish are direct competitors for our bass so this occurrence is actually a good thing.

Tuesday and Wednesday were both beautiful days with temperatures reaching into the low 70's. The mornings were a bit chilly, but the warm-up came quickly. On Tuesday I met Bucky and Don and headed for our pre-cold snap location, which was a lake that is the westernmost body of water in the Blue Cypress conservation area. We are so used to fishing in our back yard, (Stick Marsh), that this is considered a long drive for us. The last part of the drive is down a 12.5 mile humpety, bumpety dirt road that is many times far worse than the famous Stick Marsh road. However, if you hit it right, the fishing is fantastic and well worth the ride.

Arriving at the lake at 8:00 we immediately headed to what we affectionately the fish factory. Our wily prey is hiding in heavy hydrilla and around lily pads but accurate casting and some skillful rod handling will give you a day of unsurpassed excitement.

By day's end we had placed 29 bass into the boat. Keeping these fish buttoned while they twist and dig their way into the heavy grass had us all a bit arm weary, but it was a very happy weariness.

Getting back to the ramp I headed to get the trailer. As I approached the truck I realized that I could add to that list of things not to do, that of course we all do at one time or another. The headlights shone weakly and the realization of having  bit of problem hit me. Hoping did me no good as I turned the key in the ignition and got nothing.  Normally this wouldn't be all that much of a problem, however the truck is diesel powered and takes two batteries to get her going. After moving batteries from boat to truck we got the truck going and headed home for a much needed rest as it was our plan to repeat this day tomorrow, however without the goof-up with the battery issue.

Water clarity: excellent - could see the bottom
Water temps: high 50's to low 60's by days end
Water depth: 2.5 - 3.5 feet
Wind: 2-10 MPH with direction varying throughout the day
Bait of choice: Senkos and Swimming Senkos

We started out a bit earlier on Wednesday with a weather forecast that was ideal for working in heavy grass, and for comfort. We had a bit of a surprise as we got to the ramp and noted a big increase in the number of boats that had already headed out into the lake. Our secluded fishing hole wasn't quite so secluded as word spread that the bite was on at Kenansville lake. Motoring back to our same location as previous trips we proceeded to the catching process and by days end we put 36 good size bass in the boat.

Most of the fish caught over the two day period weighed between 4 and 7 pounds. On both days we lost as many fish to the weeds as we boated. They are really good at using that hydrilla to slip the hook.

Water clarity: excellent - could see the bottom
Water temps: high 50's to low 60's by days end
Water depth: 2.5 - 3.5 feet
Wind: 2-10 MPH with direction varying throughout the day
Bait of choice: Senkos and Swimming Senkos

There is just nothing as good as time on the water with good friends, lots of bass that want to play, and weather that is cooperating and comfortable.

George

Submitted 1/13/2010

The cold weather that has enveloped the entire country including spreading to the southern reaches of Florida is finally scheduled to break. It has certainly been extreme with frost and ice being a nightly companion in the Sebastian area. The good news is that it is scheduled to end today with temperatures reaching back into the 70's and even possibly 80's within the next couple of days.

Also, with the temperatures being as cold as they were it was not a quick jolt and gone which our bass don't like. Instead, the weather has been steady over the last two weeks so more than likely the bass will be well adjusted and ready to play. I will be on the water Friday and will continue this report after that trip.

George

Submitted 01/03/2010

There is lot of chatter on the internet about Stick Marsh/Farm 13, however very little talks about where it is and what it's function is.

This 6700 acre lake is one of four lakes that make up the headwaters of the St Johns River. In addition to these lakes is a large marsh, (Ft Drum Marsh), that all flow northward. Or the four lakes, Blue Cypress Lake is a natural, with the other three, Ansin/Garcia, Stick Marsh/Farm 13, and Kenansville, all being man-made.

The first function in the development of the three man-made lakes was and is to clean up the runoff of fertilizer and such from the surrounding farms and ranches. The second function of importance is to supply irrigation waters for these farms and ranches, and the last and of lowest consideration is to supply a recreation area for fishermen.

For Fish and Game and the state of Florida, unlike St Johns Water Management, fishing on these lakes is of major importance. As some of the finest fishing in N. America, these lakes provide tremendous source of tourism income.

The Stick Marsh/Farm 13, although it has two names is actually one lake. Most arrive here expecting something quite different because of the name, and are quite amazed when they view the 6700 acres. The lake does have a partial divider levee, but this is to force water flow through more of the lake for clean-up, than it is to split the lake into two.



The names Stick Marsh and Farm 13 were derived from their names prior to flooding. Stick Marsh was locally known as such due to the densely wooded characteristics of this marsh, and Farm 13 was radish field known as Farm #13 of Fellsmere Farms.
The two sides are quite different, with the main fish attractants of the Stick Marsh side being dense submerged woody cover with just about no structure, and the farm side being a combination of both structure and cover.

Looking at the photo above you can readily see the submerged remnants of the irrigation ditches that were used to supply water to the Farm prior to flooding. These structure play a huge part in the summer patterns on this lake. Knowing the characteristics of these ditches will spell the difference between fishing success and failure for a significant part of the year.

On the south end of Farm 13 there is as much wood, if not more per square foot, than what can be found on the Stick Marsh side. Knowing these areas and the denseness of the wood is of extreme importance during the entire spawn cycle, which by the way takes place from December through May many years.
If you know the area, catching fish like the one below is very common.


This lady was one of over 75 caught this March of 09. As you can see, the lake was low and the wood very visible. However much of the time this extreme cover is hidden by high water levels and then migration routes and the knowledge of them becomes important. There are old roadbeds there and knowing them does make a big difference. This cover spreads across the south end of the lake but some is productive and some, well you get the picture.

The Stick Marsh side is wall to wall covered with wood. Again, as any lake, only some will hold fish however. Knowing where these areas are, and staying out here full time will make the difference in finding fish most times.


This 14.3-pound lady came from the Marsh side.

In the hurricanes that ripped through the area back in 2004, we as well as other lakes in south Florida, lost the hydrilla to severe wave action. To this date it has not recovered. However, that is a biological function and not the function of some mysterious spraying action as suggested by some. When there is spraying for hydrilla it must be done during a very narrow window in the month of April. As the source of irrigation for the Farm, if spraying were taking place, it would destroy not only hydrilla but also the crops of the farm being irrigated. Unlike the spray used for hyacinth, which is a contact spray, the spray used for hydrilla kills submerged vegetation and would kill anything the dilution was sprayed on. So it's not the spraying, and it's not aliens coming at night stealing the hydrilla, but rather a normal biological function that has the hydrilla missing.

Forage on this 11 square mile body of water is comprised of primarily wild shiner, and threadfin shad. With the lack of hydrilla, which provided a place to hide for the forage, they are constantly on the move. As they move, so moves the bass, and keeping up with this movement is a daily, and sometimes even hourly chore.

However, from the map above, and some of what I have covered here, your trip will be more productive next time you are here.