 |
Stick Marsh & Farm 13
Capt. George Welcome
May 28, 2001
Stick Marsh-Farm 13 - Freshwater Fishing Report
The water level on the Marsh has come up with the rain that we have been getting. We have seen about a 3-inch gain over the last week. However caution is still the name of the game out there. We have noticed some getting brave and running on the Marsh but it’s not a recommended thing to do, as there are a lot of stumps just under the surface. Losing a lower unit could be the least of your problems if you hit one of them. Getting launched out of your boat could kill you so use common sense out there.
To say the bite on the Stick Marsh is anything short of phenomenal would be an understatement. However, your trek to where the fish are takes a good bit of boat handling and a willingness to put up with a few scratches on the hull. Bait choice is restricted by the wood you need to be fishing in as the bass are most often holed up right in the middle of thickest clumps of sticks you can find. Size of wood seems to be less important than quantity of wood. Buzz baits will get you the bigger fish more consistently than worms and if the bite drops a bit worms will get you more quantity. If you want to cast less and get more fish than drop an un-weighted or very lightly weighted worm right in the middle of the stickups or next to the big stumps and hold on. When you feel the bite be quick to set the hook and crank fast and lift to get the bass out of the brush. Swim the buzz baits, (and spinner baits), right through the heart of the stick-ups and be ready for the blow-ups. If the bass misses, let the bait fall slightly and in most cases they will strike again. Don’t let the bait drop far as you will lose it in the brush. You can use top water baits such as chug bugs, spooks, and rogues, but your casting accuracy has to exact and you would need short casts to work in all these sticks. If you come across an open area don’t hesitate to put on the top water baits and work the hydrilla. Big bass are residing in these areas also. Be thorough in you coverage of these open areas and you will be successful. Soft jerk baits have not been overly successful for us but they are always worth a try. Best buzz baits have been white. Best spinner baits have been gold bladed and the bigger the blades with plenty of thump, the better. Tequila Sunrise has been the best worm color for us.
The Stick Marsh has bass located just about anywhere. However, there are areas of the Marsh that hold more bass consistently season after season. One of those areas is Twin Palms, which is located just about in the middle of the Marsh. A good map will get you there and you can get one by contacting Hugh Crumpler at [email protected]. There are also maps available at the local tackle stores such as Palm Bay Outfitters located in Palm Bay on Malabar Road. Another good source is the interactive map on Jim Porter’s page at www.stickmarsh.com If you have no map: after passing the two trees located straight out from the cut going into the Stick Marsh take approximately a 60 degree right hand turn and you should be able to see them in short order. Once you hit the wood start fishing. As stated above, the wood is thick and getting through is takes some boat handling but it is definitely possible. Another good location has been the wood located inside the cut that comes off the center ditch back into the Marsh.
Saturday’s trip in the Twin Palms area and west was a duplicate of our previous trips in there. Although we didn’t land any big fish on this trip we did catch a lot of bass. The bite was on buzz baits all day long: (I just love all that top water action), and we boated between 50 to 75 bass. Upon returning to the ramp I got to meet Mark Richards from Houston, Texas. Mark was visiting here, and Arron V., one of our consistent reporters on this page was gracious enough to get him out for some Stick Marsh catching. Mark introduced himself and passed on one of his buzz baits for me to give a try out there. My thanks and applause goes out to Aaron for being a true fishermen and gracious host to a visitor to our great fishery.
Sunday’s trip will be one that is placed high in my memory book. Tony Moresca, one of my regular clients, came with his son Tony Jr. and his friend Joey. I have to admit that I had some trepidation about taking these young fellows into the wood but they quickly put any fears to rest. These two youngsters are what I have to classify as nothing short of veteran fishermen in their casting ability. I think in the entire day I spent as much time if not more removing my baits and Tony seniors baits from the stick-ups then I did these two youngsters: (10-11 year-olds). After almost 9 hours on the water in the densest wood you can imagine only two baits were lost and between the two of them only one was theirs. In addition to that they fished the entire day amidst a barrage of bugs and heat and never quit casting other than for short snack breaks. My hat definitely goes off to these two fine young fishermen. Not only did they do and outstanding clinic on casting ability but Tony Jr. hooked and landed a 6-pound beauty to top off his day. His picture of this outstanding catch and smiling face can be seen at: http://www.imaginationbassin.com One of the most frequently asked questions I get is: “do you get tired of taking people out fishing?” The answer is an emphatic “NO!” and this group is an outstanding example of why.
Get into the wood, throw your baits into the wood, and you will have an outstanding day. Good fishing and see you out there.
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
