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Stick Marsh & Farm 13
Capt. George Welcome
September 5, 2003
Stick Marsh-Farm 13 - Freshwater Fishing Report
The last week of fishing has been pretty darn good with full days seeing
catches of 40 or more bass up to 7 pounds. We are not seeing the catches at the
spillway area in the SE end of the Farm like we had been, but the bite there is
still consistent enough to warrant spending the day there.
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The gate on the spillway has been going up and down on almost a daily basis and
the water flow is coming from well south of us out of the groves south of Rte.
60, and out of the Ft Drum Conservation area. At any time you can be presented
with a wild run of weed, and although you can't fish when a mess like the one
above is coming through, when it clears the fishing can be dynamic. With all the
small bait coming through and being knocked off the grass by the current, the
shad and bream show up in force and right behind them the bass. If you show up
in the morning and the bite isn't there, it just might be a good idea to come
back again later and you just might find one of these guys in there.
Fishing out in the lake has been good with some exciting top water soft bait
bite. White or white variation shad have produced bass to 8 pounds as we worked
them in the SE area of the Farm in and around the spread out hydrilla. Most hits
are being had at the edges of the hydrilla rather than out of pockets in the
mats. Also weightless Senkos have been producing well. Areas along the eastern
N/S irrigation ditch, south of the intersection are producing with weightless
Senkos, working from the outside casting back to the edges of the hydrilla that
lines the ditch. We are also finding more activity in the SW areas of the Farm
and top water soft jerk baits, rattletraps, and weightless Senkos have all been
producers.
A larger version of the above map can be seen on my pages at:
http://www.imaginationbassin.com
One of the keys to success here as with any other lake is staying with the
fish that you have found. Unless you have come to see the scenery and wildlife
that this lake has to offer, leaving fish to find other fish is not the best
move. The last two days I spent with Don Bolam and we spent both days not moving
from our pre-light anchor point. The bite was sporadic but we consistently
placed bass in the boat and by days end had pretty successful days. Don kept me
in stitches in between bites with his jokes and banter and the bass kept us on
our toes throughout the day.
I recently had a question from a concerned angler in Pennsylvania about
possibilities of having stunted bass in the Marsh/Farm due to overpopulation. My
answer was absolutely not. The creel counts indicate that the fishing on this
lake has gotten better and better. The following will take you to the creel
comparison from 1993 to 2001 and clearly shows that the lake is only getting
better.
http://www.imaginationbassin.com I just spent a couple hours
conversing with Bob Eisenhauer and the numbers are in for 2003. As soon as I get
them I will put them up for you, but I can tell you in advance that they show
2003 was better than 2001.
So what are the differences out here for the Bass fisherman? The bass are not
in the historical locations all the time. You have to find them and a relatively
easy way would be to put together information that you can get from the fishing
reports. There are reports out there for all to read. Some are more specific
than others, but put them all together, and you should be able to get a picture
of what is happening. Many of you come and hire a guide. Do some investigation
before hiring. We have guides out here with lots of experience, we have
guides out here that started within the last couple of years that claim they
have fished here for years, and we have guides without as much experience but
will work their butts off for you. Ask friends, ask on the internet, get
references. Realize when you come that this is still a lake even though the
population of bass is large, and that you are coming fishing. Your success will
depend on your skills, your guides skills, weather, and whether the fish wish to
bite or not. Your chances are better here than anywhere you can think of, but
don't believe that the better chances can ensure a huge bass, or lots of bass.
Remember, where they were yesterday, they might not be today.
See you on the water. Say hi if you get the chance.
More Fishing Reports:
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