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Stick Marsh & Farm 13
Capt. George Welcome
June 3, 2004
Stick Marsh-Farm 13 - Freshwater Fishing Report
May closed out as one of the strongest months yet on the Stick Marsh/Farm 13.
Not only were the numbers way up but the quality was just outstanding.
As June begins the momentum continues with lots of bass, and mostly big bass
being reeled to the boat. The bite remains the same as it has been for the last
two weeks with the bass being oriented to hydrilla and hitting the bait as it
slides across the grass or as if falls off the edges.
Taken June 1, this beautiful specimen of a bass ate a Senko and came on board
for a picture.
This one quickly followed as she inhaled a watermelon/no flake Senko. The hits
are very aggressive and the fish attempt to swim off immediately. This type of
hit results in almost no gut hooked fish.
Later in the day I cast a spinner bait to this lady. She hit it almost as soon
as it hit the water as she charged out from her home that for the moment was a
small stick-up. The spinner bait was a Terminator 3/8 white skirt/gold willow.
Yesterday Joe Sabotin and his sons Josh and Phil came out for a taste of the
Marsh. The wind was strong out of the SW which made it difficult to say the
least, but the family had a great day. Josh led the way with over 21 bass
including the biggest for the day.
Although the heat was up the wind kept it cool and Josh kept his cool as he
wrangled this gal our of a gnarly mess of hydrilla.
Today Scott and I headed out starting on the Stick Marsh. We hit the wood
inside the cut from Ditch 7 but even though we knocked with spinner baits, buzz
baits, and Senkos there were no takers. We decided to check the hydrilla on the
Farm and did we get a surprise. A major storm passed over the Marsh yesterday,
late in the day with high winds. Lots of hydrilla had been ripped loose and it
was floating around on the north end of the Farm. It was bonanza time all over
again. It was impossible to throw a Senko next to or on one of the floating
hydrilla patches without getting slammed. The bite was hot and furious and by
9:00 AM we had boated over 45 bass. The biggest gal for the day was a mere 6.5
pounds, but the smallest was over 2.5 pounds. There was a massive algae bloom
and the surface was coated so that every line trail was left behind, but the
lowered visibility had no effect on the bass. Very seldom did we more than
twitch the bait and a bass was on.
At 9:15 it was as if someone had thrown two switches. The first shut the bass
off and after noticing that the bass weren't biting anymore we noticed the
second switch. The heat had turned on and not bite one to cool things off. We
moved off to check some of the other areas which is what we were supposed to be
doing anyway.
We ran to the spillway. The water, which is very low, is at 20.5 ASL. That
equates to "look out time on both the Farm and the Marsh.) The levies along the
ditches on the Farm are getting close to being hittable, and in some areas you
will smack them if you don't watch out.
We went to the south end of the Farm and saw a lot of bream, particularly
along the south end of the west N/S ditch, but we didn't see much in the way of
bass. There is a lot of wood exposed on the south end, but its the wood under
the surface that do some real damage. Be careful if you venture down there.
Basically south of the E/W ditch the hydrilla is taking over. There are some
good areas that are open though and the shad are definitely down there.
We then went to the Marsh side. If you opt to run on the Marsh now don't be
surprised when you are handed a hefty bill for a new lower unit or worse.
Heavy wood is just below the surface and there is plenty of wood exposed. Look
for top water to become a real adventure on the Marsh soon if we don't get rain.
On either side, keep in mind where you are in the event that you have to run
before a storm. Don't get caught in a bad place with a thunder boomer headed
your way. It looks like our mini heat wave is just about over, but bear in mind
that the sun is really hot and bring plenty of 45+ SPF sun protection. Drink
plenty of fluids while out there and catch some big fish. We are looking for
customers if you want to get out. Give us a call.
See you on the water. Say hi if you get the chance.
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