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Stick Marsh & Farm 13
Capt. George Welcome
June 5, 2000
Stick Marsh-Farm 13 - Freshwater Fishing Report
There are no more crowds to contend with when fishing the Marsh but there are definitely stumps and levees to worry about. Friday when we launched there were no more than 5-6 boats out there. Saturday when I arrived there were boats already pulling out because of the difficulty of getting from the ramp back to the Farm. Sunday there were a few more in the parking lot but for a long time we saw no more than two other boats on the Farm. The heat is on, the water is low, and the stumps are high so be careful out there.
Once you find your way through the maze that is our bane you will find fishing that is simply fantastic. We have not taken off the chug bug and have caught fish from the time we get there until the time we leave. However, you won't find them stacked up in the Stick Marsh around all those stumps and sticks, and you won't find them stacked up in the separation canal or on the point of the center dike. You will find them stacked up on the old irrigation canal levees and you will find them smashing balls of shad that come sailing through. I saw an interesting comment in another report about finding the bass on the ease levees of the N/S canals. That is absolutely correct because that is the where the roads were in the Farm that ran along those canals. The bottom is gravely, which makes the water there clearer.
Initially in the morning travel one of these canals until you find a school and then stay put in that area. As the day wears on and the heat picks up start moving. The bass are roaming the Farm looking for shad and if you pay attention it is relatively easy to follow a school from one area of hydrilla to another. (Hint-hint-hint) Look for bass in the real skinny water areas! Another great bait is any of the variety of imitation shiners, shad etc. Shallow running crank baits will definitely turn on some numbers in here.
Be very careful on the Farm as those gravel roadbeds are quite hard. Also, the water over some of them is skinny enough to hard ground the boat.
Friday's catch was 72 bass from 7 till 1:00. Saturday I went from 9:00 till 12:00 and had 37. Yesterday we went from 8 until about 1:00 and had 83. No secret baits, no secret places: chug bug, chug bug, chug bug the trails and hydrilla beds and you will catch fish. One other note in closing!
Yesterday's trip was terminated due to the distant rumblings of thunder. This time of the year they can come quick and can be quite vicious. The brunt of the storm hit as we pulled into the town of Fellsmere and we sat on the side of the road to wait out the 1/2" hail and severe rain and wind. A micro-blast hit an area knocking down trees etc. If you hear thunder or see lightening it would be in your best interest to get off the water as quickly as possible. Don't become a statistic.
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