Stick Marsh & Farm 13
Capt. George Welcome
February 14, 2004
Stick Marsh-Farm 13 - Freshwater Fishing Report
Things are perking along at the Marsh. Some of the renewal of the population
has taken place over the last few days. Fishing has been predominantly located
in the south end of the Farm. There have been some fish located in the NW area
of the Marsh, but for the most part that population consists of young fish.
There have been three consistent baits: Shiners, Senkos, and rattletraps. The
fisherman population is at its normal February high and the parking lot is
jammed. However, a lot of these are Crappie fishermen. The Crappie fishing is
experiencing the same slowness as the bass because they have spawned also.
From here on out it gets more and more exciting as the days go by. The big
females will go from resting to feeding and the frenzy will begin. There will be
many that didn't spawn that will be ready for the spring spawn and they will be
fattening up also. We should see a progression of fish moving northward through
the farm as they school back up on their hunt for food.
Bill and Brenda Thomas of Lutherville, Maryland
joined us for day two on the 8th and faced winds N20-25 with Gusts to 30.
Temperature low 40’s with a high in the upper 50’s. We free lined the shiners
in the spillway underneath the Hyacinth. Went through 4 dozen shiners by
1:00pm and caught 20+ Bass. Largest fish weighed 6lbs and they a couple other
over 5lbs.
Mark Kirchner from Orlando and his sister Lee
from Palm Bay, Florida came out on the 9th with us and the weather was a lot
better. Light Winds and Temperature’s in the mid 70’s made for a much more
comfortable fishing day. Mark fishes with us several times a year and brings
his sister for her birthday. Happy birthday Lee. They opted for 7 dozen
shiners and they were all used by 3:00pm. Lee caught 18 bass up to
4+pounds and Mark caught 5 Bass up to 4 pounds. Slow trolling the shiners in
the South end of the Farm was the most productive.
Arthur Dechane of Fellsmere, Florida wanted
to get his youngsters out for a ½ day on the 10th so we fished form
12:00-5:00pm. There was very little breeze and temps in the mid to upper
70’s. We went through 4 dozen shiners and they boated 20+ Bass. Scott
Dechane started the day out with a 7.8lbs beauty and also caught the
biggest of the day weighing 8lbs.
Shara Dechane put on a good show catching
quite a few fish between 5 and 6lbs. Arthur’s kids definitely showed dad
how to catch the big ones with Arthur’s biggest Bass only weighing 3lbs.
Well, that's why we take them fishing; so they can get the most and the
biggest.
On the 11th Christian
Brand and his friend Sam from Fenton, Mo. came prepared to fish and fish
they did. However, they weren't prepared for the gnats and the lack of
bite from the bass. We finally retreated to the Stick Marsh to get away
from the gnats, but didn't find the fish biting any better. Harvey Stern
and his son Darren from British Columbia, Canada were out with Scott and
basically the report from Scott was ditto. I think between the two boats
we netted about 30 fish. Harvey and his son are out there right now as I
write this report and phone conversations indicate much better results
today.
On the 12th Christian
and Sam opted for shiners. Conditions were good and the fishing was 180
degrees from the day before. Their fish were caught both in the south end
of the Farm in the in spillway area in the SE of the Farm.
I had out Chuck Slater
of Glen Burnie, Maryland and although size never reared her beautiful head
into the picture we caught a lot of fish on artificial. Working a Chug Bug
in the morning brought fish up to 4.5 pounds into the boat and left one
unknown swimming off with Chuck's bug. Unfortunately he didn't see her
before she broke off but she didn't leave it at that. About an hour later
this ornery critter came crashing out of the water in an attempt to shake
the bug and revealed all of her 9+ pounds of glory. Oh well, Chuck will be
back soon and perhaps will get the chance to retrieve his bug.
Baits to bring: Plastics
and lots of them. We are having great success with Senkos and recommend
them highly. Spinner baits; I expect these to start working any day now.
Rattletraps: I caught three today in short order on a crawdad colored trap
and this is an excellent post-spawn bait. Top water baits: Chug Bugs or
similar and buzz baits will be a staple as we get further into the post
spawn. Remember the shad will spawn and be a lot more plentiful in the
coming weeks. Tackle for rigging: C-rig materials and weights for T-rigs.
Keep the swivels small and have a minimum 3.8 oz. for the C-rigs.
Weather to expect. For
the remainder of February expect the unexpected. Winds will play a major
factor as fronts roll in. There should be very little rain but there
always is a chance so don't leave the rain gear home. Bring sun protection
because there will be plenty of it. Also, it is the time for mosquito
repellant. Don't forget it as the bite is little but the disease could be
serious. Don't forget to get a fishing license!
See you on the water.
Stop and say hi if you get the chance.
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