Stick Marsh & Farm 13
Capt. George Welcome
December 14, 2006
Stick Marsh-Farm 13 - Freshwater Fishing Report
A fishing guide's job entails far more than the hours spent with a client
seeking that unique fishing experience. The days start early and are long, with
boat preparation, maintenance, and accounting all part of the daily ritual.
However, it's all part and parcel of what makes this avocation a truly enjoyable
one.
One part of this job is the ever present need to explore the waters to keep
up with fish movement, and discover new productive areas. When doing this it is
good to have extra hands on board so as to cover more water. Yesterday was one
such day as two really good fishermen joined me for a day of exploring the
waters of Ansin/Garcia. Known to most of you as Don (World's Worst Fisherman),
and Steve P., it was bound to be a day of lively banter as we ventured forth at
daybreak.
Our first stop was in one of the north/central impoundments. Although we cast
several baits throughout the area, we didn't find one cooperating bass. After an
hour or so of this non-productive angling, it was off to check other spots.
Heading up the Zig/Zag canal sounded like a good idea. We stopped at the west
bend and proceeded north, working the shelf on the west side of the canal. We
hadn't gone far when the loud roar of an irrigation pump could be heard. It was
music to our ears, because when the pump runs, as everyone knows, the current
calls the bass. Heading further north to the pump took but a few moments, and
the first few bass fell to Senkos, jerk baits, and small crank baits.
As most know when presented with such conditions, the C-rig is extremely
productive. The first cast produced a good fish for Steve P.
The only problem that we found is that the bass in the area all seemed to be
close if not exactly the same in size. It's tough when you get stuck dealing
with 4.5 pound bass.
Senkos were the main producing bait but an occasional crank bait also produced.
Positioning the boat to find the right area of the current to produce the
most fish is very important. After trying four different presentation angles we
settled on the first that we had tried. The bite wasn't the (every cast bite),
like the spillway in the Farm 13 produces, but it was active enough to keep us
in the area until the man came and shut down the pump.
We headed back out into the main lake and finished out he day working one of
the northern impoundments. Throughout the day the main producer was the Senko,
whether worked as a T-rig, weightless, or Carolina rigged. Top water didn't do
much, although the first fish of the day did come on a frog.
Water levels are low and sinking, however the forecast for the next couple of
days is calling for rain which hopefully will bring levels up a bit. Getting
around is not a problem, just use common sense. If you have to cross a levee
that is separating the impounds idle as the water is extremely shallow on the
levees. We ran aground crossing from one area to the other, and if we had been
going fast we might still be out there trying to get un-stuck.
We boated 45 bass and missed a few, which made for a fantastic day out there.
See you on the water. Stop and say hi if you get the chance.
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