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Stick Marsh & Farm 13
Capt. George Welcome
July 3, 2001
Stick Marsh-Farm 13 - Freshwater Fishing Report
One of the most fascinating things about fishing on Stick Marsh/Farm 13 is the ever-changing face of this lake. You can expect to find conditions such as water level, weed growth, and the presence of current to make this lake one that needs a fresh approach on each fishing venture with these ever-changing conditions.
During the last week, wood that was clearly visible has disappeared with the rising water levels. Areas that were easily traversed are now difficult as the heavy wood is just below the surface and getting “hung” is a much greater likelihood. Also, all those fantastic targets are now hidden and selective casting not so easy. Changes in your bait selection are called for.
During the last week, hydrilla has filled in areas that were clear, and at its explosive growth rate it will continue to fill in more and more. However, this is not necessarily detrimental to your catching possibilities: changes in bait selection and equipment is called for.
During the last week, irrigation driven currents, wind driven currents, and water level increases have caused the movement of water throughout the impoundment. Clean water becomes dirty, and dirty water becomes clean with these movements, and with these changes the fish move. Changes in you bait selection and changes in your fishing location are called for.
Obviously, for those of us that fish this water on a regular basis, keeping abreast of these changes is far less detrimental to a fishing trip than someone that is only here for a day or two. We know for example what areas are most likely to have cleaner water, as we know what’s under the surface. We know where the heavier wood is because we have fished it when it was exposed and when there wasn’t even a hint that wood was there. We know where currents are most likely to be the strongest with a given wind direction or when irrigation is generating those currents.
With the reports that we post we try to keep you abreast with these changes, however be aware that the changes can be overnight so use these reports as a guide and not as “written in stone” when you ply our local waters. I mention this because I will see people spending entire days in the areas that reported fish were caught and then leaving the lake disappointed with their results. If you have fished in an area that you have read about and not caught fish, start looking for something else. It shouldn’t take too many bait changes for you to realize you are just not on fish. However, and this is a “big” however, if you do find fish, “DON’T LEAVE FISH TO FIND FISH”. Even worse than the fisherman that will wear an area out without catching anything, we see people running hither and yon all over this lake. If you find fish assume there is more fish in the area and don’t leave until you have fully worked the area, to include bait changes, presentation changes, and concentrated effort. Get your foot off the trolling motor a little more often and you just might catch more fish.
Approaches to our present conditions: The first key is clean water. Your chances for a good fish are greatly enhanced if the water is clear and the vegetation and timber is clean and fresh. If the water appears muddy than start looking elsewhere. Can there be fish in that muddy water? You bet there can be, but the chances of finding fish are far greater in that clear stuff. The second key is the presence of wood on the Stick Marsh. Obviously the Stick Marsh is appropriately named because there is wood everywhere. However, experience tells us that there are three key areas of wood that produce better catches than the rest of the impoundment throughout the year. The south end of the Stick Marsh, the Twin Palms area of the Stick Marsh, and the palms in the northwest are those areas. With the warmer weather, rising water temperatures, increase in hydrilla which gives home to the increase in filamentous algae, oxygen levels decrease which moves these fish out into a wider area, but an excellent starting point is the center of those areas cited above. Again, along with the sticks, look for clean water and unmated hydrilla to have the best results. The third key ingredient is current: On the Stick Marsh the most prevalent obvious current will be wind generated. If the wind picks up look for troughs between beds of hydrilla or any other structure that will restrict the movement of water and lend itself to and area of increased water movement. If you can find water movement, and the water is clean, and you have sticks you have just found bass heaven.
Baits to use: Warm shallow water is what you will find on the Stick Marsh from one boundary to the other. Top water bite provides great excitement from dawn to dusk with these conditions and we have found that chug bugs, floating worms, soft jerk baits, buzz baits, and floating hard jerk baits have all worked well. With the wood below the surface our most productive baits have been chug bugs. Of course bear in mind that any bait with suspending hooks needs several inches of debris free water to work well. Also, when using any of these baits change the presentation from time to time: fast, slow, and even let it sit absolutely still from time to time. If you find hydrilla that is not covered in algae you may have found an area that will produce fish as if it were a factory. Texas rig a worm with a ½ ounce or better weight, peg the weight, and start pegging it into the hydrilla. Use a stiff rod, a heavier line, when doing this. When you get a hit set the hook hard. The bushel basket of weed you bring back just might appear small compared to the lunker that you can find hanging out in the shade and comfort of hydrilla.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different baits but also don’t change baits on every 5th cast. If you are going to try different baits, then give them an honest try.
Wednesday of last week Scott had a ½ day trip and working in the northwest area and in the south areas of the Stick Marsh they caught 16 bass to 9 pounds. All fish came on top water baits with the 9-pounder coming on a chug bug.
Friday was a full day with regular Jack Goldsmith. He invited Scott along to share the trip and we had a fantastic day. Most of the day was spent between the northwest area and the south are of the Stick Marsh and most fish came in the south areas. All of the bigger fish came on chug bugs. We did locate a school that became active with a wind driven current and worked the same trough in a hydrilla area for at least a couple of hours. 32 fish were boated with the biggest being a 6.4-pounder. One was lost that was ten plus while boating. “TOO MANY HOOKS ON THE CHUG BUG” Jack and Scott had the “hook-em but don’t get them to the boat syndrome” that day and there were easily another 30 hooked.
Saturday, Scott had out Frank DeLucas and his father. Dad got a 10.4 on a buzz bait at 7:00 AM, which was his first double-digit fish in 28 years on the water. My bet is he will see and catch a lot more of the double-digit fish now that he has broken the ice. The heat was on Saturday so quitting time was called at Noon. 13 more bass came to the boat during that period but the 10.4 was the only big fish.
The biggest key of all here or anywhere else is to be on fish. As simple as that premise is, it can be the most difficult to accept. We want to think that they just aren’t biting, our baits are wrong, or something in the weather is goofy. However, after honest effort, accept the most simple and move on. Remember, the sun is strong, and the weather hot. Sunburn, dehydration, and even worse heat stroke are all strong possibilities here so don’t forget the water and the sun protection. If you start feeling really hot or the least bit light headed head for shade. Take a break and then return to fishing. Don’t become a statistic. Watch out for the storms! See you out there.
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