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Stick Marsh & Farm 13
Capt. George Welcome
January 2, 2002
Stick Marsh-Farm 13 - Freshwater Fishing Report
Date Fished: 1/1/02
Water Temperature: 63
Water Clarity: 1 foot
Bait used: Shiners
Meeting Wyndham Hewitt at the ramp at 6:30am we ran to pick up are shiners from Joe Middleton. Starting in the center of the Stick Marsh out off the West wall we put out are shiners with hopes of breaking in the New Year in with a Stick Marsh Lunker. After 3 hours in this area and making many small moves we only had one fish in the boat. With almost no activity early and the fish gumming are shiners I decided to make a move to the SE corner of the Stick Marsh. After setting the boat up within pitching distance of hydrilla we put are shiners out. Fishing some free lined and some ballooned the fun began within 30 minutes. After Landing 9 fish between 3 and 4 pounds the phone rang and it was Wyndham’s fishing partner Bruce who informed us he would be at the ramp within 20 minutes. With two shiners in the water one on a balloon and one free lined I started to prepare the boat for our departure. I started reeling in the free lined shiner when a big fish boiled on the shiner at the surface. I dropped the shiner back and informed Wyndham to be ready as a big fish just boiled on the shiner. Not 20 seconds later the balloon off the bow of the boat went down and Wyndham went to set the hook. I yelled to Wyndham to put the rod down and to come to the back of the boat and set the hook. Knowing he had control of the big fish I ran to the bow to try to bring the other fish in as quick as I could. Setting the hook the rod doubled over and the fish took off. After a minute both of us had are fish next to the boat and at the same time both of them decide to give us a show. What a way to break in the New Year to big fish jumping out of the water next to the boat. Landing Wyndham’s fish first then mine I was glad to see that I was right and Wyndham did have the bigger fish. After weighing the fish, and taking measurements the fish posed for photos and were released. Wyndham’s fished weighed in at 10.3lbs and mine 8.6lbs. After picking up Bruce Ense at the ramp and telling him about the morning we headed back to the SE corner with hopes of landing another Lunker. Waiting 30 minutes we finally had a strike on one of the biggest shiners I have ever seen. Bruce took the rod; the fish swirled and engulfed the shiner. Bruce set the hook but he unfortunately he had too much slack in his line and the fish was gone. Knowing the fish was well over 10lbs we were definitely unhappy too see the fish lost. Thirty seconds later Bruce was about to get a second chance at landing a big fish. Setting the hook with slack Bruce lost another fish that would have gone over 10lbs. Bruce informed us that this would be the last fish he would miss. On any other lake having the chance to see multiple fish over ten pounds is rare, but on Stick Marsh this is not uncommon. Bruce kept his word landing the next fish, which weighed in at 7.5lbs. At 3:00pm we normally head to the ramp but we still had a couple dozen shiners in the live well, and since the fish were biting I decide to stay out late. Switching completely over to free lining the shiners the hits came in a hurry. Bruce landed his next fish, which weighed in at 10.7lbs. They informed me that they wanted me to catch the next fish so agreeing I landed a beauty weighing in at 8.3lbs. Bruce jokingly asking if there were any small fish in the lake he got his chance to see one landing his next fish which was between 3.5 and 4 pounds. After 4 more big fish were lost we decided to call it a day at 5:00pm. With 2 fish over 10lbs, and 2 fish over 8lbs, and multiple fish between 3 and 7.5lbs we could not think of a better way to break in the New Year. The two biggest factors for us to today were free lining the shiners under the hydrilla, and being patient. The fish came at us in waves, and with the cold weather upon us I try to force myself to stay in areas that I know have been holding fish. Once you start questing yourself you will find yourself running around and not giving each spot adequate time. Remember fish do move so if your in area were you know the fish have been but you are not catching any try making small moves within that area and it should pay off.
Scott
See ya on the water. Say hi if you pass by.
George & Scott Welcome are full time guides and full time fishermen on Stick Marsh/Farm 13. Our goal is to share these fantastic areas and our love for the sport. Two boats allow us to accommodate to six people. Contact us; you will be glad you did!
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