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Stick Marsh & Farm 13
Capt. George Welcome
October 29, 2001
Stick Marsh-Farm 13 - Freshwater Fishing Report
The weather from the North Country decided to wend its way to Florida and with the cooler temperatures came the wind. Saturday the winds strength was a steady upward progression and made for some interesting moments as we skimmed across the surface of the Stick Marsh. Overcast skies never allowed it to warm up past 65 degrees and with the wind chugging and gusting to 25+ MPH it felt like it was in the low 50’s all day. This type of weather is not what people come to Florida hoping for.
Date fished: 10/27/01 – Time fished: Daylight till 3:00PM – Surface water temps: 73 – Weather: Cold and windy!
Areas fished: Stick Marsh – NW area to the SW area; Baits used: Top water (Chug Bugs), and Spinner baits (White/gold blades and Gold/gold blades)
Most of our success came today in the NW area of the Marsh. As we got out into the more exposed areas in the SW the wind and chop on the water made for difficult fishing. We knew there were fish in the NW area so we spent most of the day there. We did try a couple of other areas but ended up back in the NW. Ron Loring and his buddy Ron, both Florida residents kept me entertained throughout the day with banter and jokes, and for the conditions the fishing wasn’t all that bad. We never did get a hook into a big fish, I think our biggest was about 4 pounds, but we did manage to boat 21 bass through persistent casting. Both Ron’s are avid fishermen and never let up throughout the day. Both fished with that “one” more cast mentality and it paid off by the end of the day.
Scott was out scouting on the Farm with Don, and picked up 5 on spinner baits and chug bugs before the “Brand New MotorGuide” trolling motor decided to quit working. They had just moved to the C54 when this occurred. With a trip tomorrow it was off to pick up our spare motor, which left Don a bit down in the mouth as the day was cut short, although the thought of getting warm made his disappointment a little less.
Second day: 10/28/01 – Time fished: 7:30 till 4PM – Surface water temps: 71- Weather: Cold and windy!
Areas fished: NW area to the SW area of the Stick Marsh; Baits used: Top water (Chug Bugs), and Spinner baits (White/gold blades and Gold/gold blades) Plastics: June bug and Root beer Texas rigged. We also fished the C54 canal from the ramp to the spillway.
Joining us today were Bill and Fran Goodrich on my boat, and Jim and Kathy Miller on Scott’s boat. They had come to Florida from Birmingham, Alabama for some golf and some fishing. Yesterday they chased that little white ball hither and yon as the wind had it’s way with it, and today they would be in for more wind and cold as we searched for that illusive lunker to make their day. Relying on yesterday’s trip we immediately headed to the NW area of the Stick Marsh.
Throughout a solid day of wind-thumping and cold weather nobody quit and it was through this persistence that they managed a hard-won total of 15 bass between the two boats. Ironically, the baits that worked were quite different between the two boats, but I think that was mostly what was worked the most. Our boat landed a total of 8 using Chug Bugs and spinner baits and Scott’s boat landed most of theirs on plastics. One did come on a rattletrap and one on a chug bug for Scott’s boat. Under the conditions, which were definitely adverse, the group fished like pros and never let up for an instant. Although, the bass didn’t cooperate, we had a great time and really enjoyed the company of 4 wonderful folks from Alabama.
The balance of this week is supposed to be windy so if you are coming make sure you are equipped for it. See ya on the water.
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