Friday, January 12, 2007 Fishing reports Stick marsh Category: Sports Submitted 1/12/07: George Brian Graves, John Cooper, and Derek arrived for 3 days of fishing on the 10th and were greeted with cold temps and winds that ranged from 15-30+ MPH. Day one we headed to the south end of the Farm and watched the water get dirty. We managed a few fish by moving about the area tying off on one stump and then the next. The fish we caught came on the Yamamoto SwimSenko that was T-rigged with a 3/16 ounce weight. Providing entertainment for the trip was my good friend Don (WWF). He volunteered to assist with the third person at the request of the crew. Little did they know what they were getting themselves into. Day two had a worse forecast so the solution was a trip to Garcia. We pushed back the start time so that the two old me, (Don and I), wouldn't have to freeze our butts off. The ramp was pretty deserted when we arrived which meant all the more fish for us. Starting out in the north impoundments we picked up a few fish but nothing of note. However, with the cold no one was ready to face the long ride up the Zig Zag until it warmed a bit. By 10:00 we decided the run had to made so everyone bundled up and off we went. We weren't there but 5 minutes when a line made that snapping sound and a pole was seriously bent from a fish on. As luck would have it out boat scored the first big fish of the day. By day's end the results were fair but they certainly could have been better. Day three was a repeat performance weather-wise so the option was again Garcia and again a delayed start. The change was the front had passed and the wind that had howled for two days out of the north was now howling out of the east. The run was straight to the Zig Zag and with warmer temperatures coming in early it was hoped that production would be really good. It didn't work out that way as we struggled for every bite that we got throughout the day. The passing front could be blamed, but the guys opted to blame the Legend of Don (WWF). The jinx was on and since Don was carrying the 3rd member of the crew there was no way to pay him to leave the area. It was memorable trip with three great friends on board. This was only one of many trips that Brian and crew have fished with me and although the fishing wasn't the greatest on this trip, the comradeship was the greatest. Lively banter between the two boats, Don (WWF), and the crew made it definitely a trip to remember. If the wind blows Garcia is definitely a viable place to be able to get out of some of that wind and catch some fish. See you on the water: say hi if you get the chance. Submitted 1/8/2007: George The bass want to play! They have moved in from the fields and are all across the south end of the Farm! Jack Huff and party have been out with us several times and today as their previous trips the bass were there for them. The wind blew after the fog lifted but not enough to make things too difficult, and swimming T-rigged plastics proved to be the best way to get the bass. Yamamoto SwimSenkos and other plastics swam through and around the wooded areas produced throughout the day. Steve P. gave a excellent assist today with half the party and between the two boats 60+ bass made it for the tally. Jack Huff this year Jack last year - same place: same quality of fish Tom Frye & Bob Jones - Bob had the misfortune of dropping the big fish of the day right at boats edge, Bill Vaughan Tom Frye See you out there: say hi if you get the chance. Submitted 1/7/2007: George Ron and Diane Bonofiglio of Vinton, Va. decided that a bass trip to the Marsh would be a good addition to their vacation here in sunny Florida. With high anticipation they met me at the ramp, ready for the catching, and greeted by a sunshine filled morning that boded well for a great day on the water. The wind was going to blow a bit today, (10-20 MPH), but it's direction was such that where I wanted to fish the water would stay relatively calm. Starting with top water did not prove to be too successful so we switched to plastics. I had Rob and Diane working a Senko and I plied the waters to see it it could be another Yamamoto Swim Senko day. Within the first 5 minutes we were thoroughly convinced that the Swim Senko was the way to go.. We are working the Swim Senko T-rigged using an 1/8 to 1/4 ounce weight. Line weights we use here are 17-20#. Mixed retrieves found that the best retrieve was a medium crank using 6:3/1 reels. The bite was similar to that of a bite on a spinner bait in that the rod would just load up. It didn't take much of a hookset to ensure that the bass would make it to the boat. Wooded areas of the south end of the Farm which are typically bedding areas are holding a good population of bass. A key to having a good day is to not leave an area once you find fish. Stay put and really work the area. The bite on some days will come and go in spurts, and if you stay put you will be where you need to be for that next spurt. We had a great day on the water: lots of bass and lots of laughs. Thanks Ron and Diane for another great day on the Marsh. See you out there: say hi if you get the chance. Submitted 1/6/2007: George Water Temps: 74 Air Temps: low 80's Water Clarity: 2-3 feet Best Baits: Yamamoto Swimming Senko and Chug Bug Monday I worked the Marsh briefly and the results were mediocre. Wednesday was the same. Artificials coaxed a few bass, but nothing to write home about. This morning I teamed up with Don Willis and we headed for the Farm. It was a late start and we were greeted with warm temperatures and clear weather. Starting just south of the E/W ditch we worked our way southward throwing spinner baits, rattle traps, and plastics without much success. Things were about to change as we got deeper into the southern end of the Farm. I switched to the Yamamoto Swimming Senko and almost immediately had a bass on. And so it went for the balance of the morning as we gathered bass on most casts. Don switched out to a chug bug and had a bass within the first couple of casts. Yamamoto Swimming Senkos and top water were the baits that produced consistently over the three hours that we fished. I have eighteen trips over the next three weeks and I expect that they are going to be in for some dynamic fishing as the bass will stay put for the next couple of months. As they prepare for the upcoming spawn I would to expect to find the larger bass outside, although they will be roving females wandering the bedding areas. Three bass slammed the chug bug today that were in excess of seven pounds and the balance of the thirty two that made it to the boat were a mixed bag of Senko and Bug biters. I still have some January openings and of course February and March openings also. Give a call, because the action is here! See you on the water: say hi if you get the chance. Submitted 1/5/2007: George This first week of 2007 bodes well for what is expected for the upcoming year. The bass are moving toward spawning grounds as evidenced by the beds we can see, and the quality of the bass, as well as the quantity that we are catching. Both the Stick Marsh and Ansin/Garcia have seen a rise in numbers as well as size. Yesterday was a day of scouting as well as catching as Don, Steve, and I worked several areas of Ansin/Garcia. Steve started the day off with one of the most spectacular top water hits that I have ever seen. Unfortunately she didn't stay buttoned, sliding back to the watery depths, and disappearing to be caught another time. Steve made up for it a short time later, but it wasn't the monster bass of that first strike, still she was still a respectable gal that was full of fight. Yesterday was also a day for testing Yamamoto's Swimming Senko, which proved to be an extremely productive bait. Working the bait, using a 1/4 sinker, over submerged hydrilla proved the ticket to boating 45+ bass. Cranking the bait at a fast clip was all it took to get strike after strike. Between the morning top water and the Yamamoto Swimming Senko time we boated 54+ for the day. Thursday I had out another of our regular customers: Cliff and Grace Schoonmaker hail from the Kingston area of New York, but spend the winter keeping warm in Sebastian, Florida. Cliff at a spry 81 years of age still fishes with the Hudson Bassmasters. Grace led the way this year with biggest fish as we plied the waters of Ansin/Garcia. It didn't take her long to add to her collection of good size bass as she landed another to seal her lead for big fish for the day. Working other areas of the lake were Steve P, Don Willis, and friend Don. Top water and Yamamoto Swimming Senkos were again the key to their 44+ day. Fishing is a sport that involves so much more than just catching fish. The enjoyment of all that surrounds you, the friendship of the people that you share the boat with, and spectacular vistas are all part and parcel of the entire fishing adventure. The Sunrise on Thursday was one of the spectacular beginnings that so often greet you. It's going to be a busy month this month but I still have some opening, so if you are going to be in the area and want to get out give us a call. See you on the water: say hi if you get the chance. 3:59 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove Fishin report Stick Marsh Category: Sports 08 January 2007 Here it is 2007 already. And, we think the new year is bringing some VERY good news! We may have the Stick Marsh's fantastic bass fishing back on track! It all came together on our 31 December 2006 and 1 January 2007 trips with Tom Giordano and Fred Deening. We'll cover the details in their trip write-up, further below. We have been anticipating the bass moving towards the wooded shallows for the start of the spawn and it appears to be happening right on time and right where we had expected. Most any shallow zones may harbor pre-spawn and spawning bass. But, we chose to concentrate on the wooded south end of Farm 13 because we know it so well and know three locations where we will be able to see some beds, even in the darkly colored waters. We never fish for bedding fish we can see, preferring to leave them alone to do their thing. But, by seeing beds, we know we are in the correct location and that there are other aggressive pre-spawn (and possibly post-spawn) bass in the area. In past years, the bass have been known to spawn all across the south end and along the western-most side of the Farm. The Nursery area (coordinates B-2, B-3 on our website's interactive map) is where we usually find them first. But, with the majority of those shallow reed stands on the south end of the Nursery now gone, they seem to have no specific starting point any longer. The ones we recently found with Tom and Fred, plus those Stan Daniel and I have located earlier, have been spread all across the south end. Other places that should be anticipated for bass spawning activity are the submerged north levee of the Stick Marsh (particularly the western half). This is the levee with the palm trees growing all along it. The western wall of the Stick Marsh is also a top place. The depth along that west side tapers out from the rip-rap covered shoreline, allowing the fish to select a preferred depth for their nests, plus it shields them from the turbulence of the strong west and northwest winds of cold fronts. The south side of the levee separating the Stick Marsh and the Farm is also a good spawning location, but few have ever discovered it. The sandy bottom that tapers out from the levee is a prefect spawning location, with a hard clean bottom and protection from the northerly winds. In years past, when there was still grass in the farm, this levee had a nice grass bed that ran its entire length, east to west. The bass would spawn just behind the grass line and in the holes in the grass along it. I believe that, if we work at it and let the bass show us what to do, we will have great bass fishing on through the April/May timeframe. When the heat of summer returns, the fish may go back to the open water rambling. But, until then, look for the fishing to be fine. The crappie fishing continues its torrid pace, falling back only when major cold front pump through. I, personally, have subscribed to the philosophy that cold fronts affect the fishermen more than the fish and that is why the fishing slows. But, our recent crappie outing with the Bolton clan (see later below) made me re-think that a bit. The strongest cold front of the year just stopped the crappie bite dead in its tracks. We had boat control, location, bait and bait presentation totally under control. But, the fish just would not cooperate. In fact, no one we talked to did anything. Two days later, with warming, stable conditions, we hammered them again. It just HAD to be that the front killed the feeding urge. One thing of significance appears to have changed a bit in the crappie chase and that is the location. Where we normally like the NE section of Farm 13 for drifting live minnows, we now are finding more fish out in the vicinity of the center north/south ditch, but still in the northern half of the Farm. What I am doing is going to the center ditch with my depthfinder and drifting away from it in the direction the wind takes me. If I had to pick the best drift, I would say the west side of the center ditch seems to hold a bit of an edge. The impoundment's crappie will start to think 'spawning' in a few weeks. It usually starts around mid- to late February. Since there is NO open water vegetation any longer, the crappie will look for ANY growth of ANY kind along ANY shoreline. The area around the boat ramp, to include the "Back 40' area and the northside canal leading to the exit gate, will all produce well. Plus, the wood at the south end of the Farm and along the west wall of the Stick Marsh will have crappie spawning. They don't all spawn at the same time, but do appear to spawn by school. A spawning school is usually dispersed across some 75-125 feet of space. So, when you catch one, search the immediate area thoroughly. Spawning crappie are VERY aggressive and protective of their chosen location and will be fairly easy to find, if you cover enough water. On a personal note, the fishing reports will probably drop off a bit for the next few months. I plan to increase the frequency of the reports, but the actual number of trips may decrease. My doctor and I have agreed that I am getting a bit too old to fish like a teenager, so I am planning to cut back somewhat. However, my two very good friends and EXCELLENT guides, Mike Gruber and Stan Daniel, are taking up the slack. These guys are both the BEST you will find at their trade. Mike is actually the first guide I ever knew of when the Stick Marsh was brand new and knows the place intimately. Stan is like me in one respect – he's about he luckiest dang fisherman I have ever seen. He ALWAYS catches fish! Plus, he now guides over at the Walt Disney Resort lakes a couple of days a week (talk about a soft job!). 01 January 2007 Tom Giordano had, indirectly, fished with us before. Last year, he signed us on to take out two of his friends (Joey and Rich, 9 Feb 06 report). While Tom tagged along in his boat and watched, we got Joey and Rich 'fished up'. This year, Tom decided to bring his buddy, Fred Needing, to the Stick Marsh for New Year's fishing bash. Boy, did he get his wish. As you know, we have told all about the poor quality of fishing on the impoundment experienced since last summer. Once in awhile, we have rooted a few out. But, overall, it has been tough. Now, the bass migration from all that open water to the spawning shallows appears to have started. And, Tom, Fred and I were there to greet them! Our two half-day trips produced excellent results! We started our search for fish in the south end of Farm 13, setting up still-fished shiners under bobbers along a couple of the ditches and locations along the outer wood lines. Basically, we struck out with this approach. We had a few ornery catfish worry the bait, but the bass just were not there. So, we decided that, instead of letting the fish find us, we would try to take the shiners to them. We rigged two rods with bobber up about three feet and no weight. Hooking the shiners up through the bottom lip and out a nostril hole, we tossed them behind the boat and began a very slow troll. Low and behold, we got a couple of fish while dragging the shiners from the outer edge of the wood line back towards the south shallows. They blew the shiners up pretty good, too. Rather than change a good thing, we re-baited and kept on our course towards the south shore. The closer we got to the dense wood at the south end, the more strikes we had. We got the boat hung on a good number of the submerged snags, but we also caught a lot of fish. An important point we noted this 1st day out was that ALL the bass we caught appeared to be males. That made sense, in that the males always move in first to prepare the spawning area. It also means the big females should not be too far behind, just in slightly deeper water. The 2nd day, we knew exactly where to start fishing. So, with a more shiners in the well, we headed to farm 13. As the day before, the fish would blow the shiners up on the surface, sending shivers down all of our backs. We noted that the fish seemed to want to play around a bit before taking the shiners, though. They would stalk them, causing the shiners to panic and go into all sorts of action under the bobber. Then, the bass might roll on the shiner 5-6 times before finally taking it fully. It actually made the excitement last longer, too!! One thing we did differently this 2nd day was to tie an anchor off one of the front cleats on the boat. When we got a fish on, I would immediately stop the boat and toss the anchor over. Once that fish was landed, we would then sit and cover that general location well with more shiners to see if more fish were in the area. In three instances, we found we were stopped on small schools of bass, ranging in sizes from 3 to 6(+) pounds. That indicated they were still grouped and not breaking off to build individual beds just yet. These two short trips were very significant in that they