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RECOMMENDED BY JIM PORTER
FARM 13 / STICK MARSH FISHING REPORT
FEBRUARY 2002
February 25, 2002
I guess I am taking this fishing stuff too seriously. I have a tendency to get frustrated and sort of mad at myself when I can't get guide trip Customers on fish really good. It happened on our last trip, and it was not until late in the day that we finally caught bass.
But, Paul and Calene Schweickert, along with 7-year old daughter, Samantha, reminded me what fishing is truly all about. It's supposed to be about 'HAVING FUN'. But, somewhere along the way, I think I lost that part of it. Call it feeling an obligation to the Customer, or maybe it is just a throwback to all the long-ago days of tournament competition. All I know is that I got a lot more from these fine folks on their fishing trip than they got out of me.
Let me tell you about it and you do a self-check to see if YOU might be falling into that rut I was in.
Paul is a Navy technician stationed in Jacksonville. As with all the Navy types, he and his family actually 'live' between his deployments at sea. Sometimes the time ashore is short, with quick deployment turn-around in performing our Country's military missions. So, Navy families tend to make the most of their 'togetherness' periods. Paul and Calene obviously have a good handle on this. I should have picked up on it (being a retired military type myself), when Paul Schweickert first contacted me about a fishing trip. He explained that it was a family trip and asked if it was OK to bring his 7-year old daughter along.
Hey, I like kids. They just happen to be small people for a while in their lives. I have had them as young as 4 out on trips and they have been great.
And, you know what?? Kids don't get frustrated when you can't find a fish. They just keep fishing. They just keep having fun.
And, you know what?? Kids don't get frustrated when you can't find a fish. They just keep fishing. They just keep having fun.
No, there's not a bad echo in my word processor. It was just worth repeating in hopes that some of us adults can remember it.
It was a cold morning, so we got on the water around 9 AM. The sun was bright and the air was clear from the last night's cold front, rain and winds. Joe Middleton made a special trip to bring us the last known shiners in captivity.
While waiting for Joe to make his way across Blue Cypress Lake, Samantha (Sammy) and I decided a dry lure stood little chance of catching a fish, so we got ours wet. It wasn't long until Sammy was reeling in those giant Stick Marsh bluegills. Now, you look at the accompanying picture and tell me that smile isn't worth a rich man's fortune!!
Since the winds were high from the prior day's cold front and from the wrong direction, we decided our best shiner holes were going to be difficult to fish. We opted to give some artificials a try in some locations I had done well in a couple of days earlier. That turned out to be a bust. The wind-blown floating grass snagged every lure on every cast.
Off to the shiner hole we went. The winds were still wrong and we could not hold the shiners in on the grass line. Moving slightly, we fished a spot that usually produces more mudfish than bass. But, at least we could keep the shiners on a drop-off there.
No bites - then, maybe one mudfish taker that did not get hooked. Hugh Crumpler was across the way free-lining shiners under some hyacinths, so we thought we'd free-line ours out in the deeper water past our drop-off. Bang, bang - two bass came quickly. Then, all was silent. Well, not 'all'. Calene and Sammy were laughing and having a good old time just being out in the sunshine, and Paul was joining in from time to time.
Moving the boat again, we tried working the free-line magic along some grass and hyacinths to no avail. I really had not noted at the time, but everyone seemed to be having a good time. Everyone, that is, but me. I was getting frustrated. After a while, we pulled up stakes and went to the wooded areas in the south end of the Farm.
After covering a good bit of real estate with crank plugs and spinnerbaits and having no action, we set up the shiners. We fished the shiners in three normally fine locations. Not a single bite. Then, we took 30 minutes to see if the spawning crappie were occupying their bedding zones yet. Even that was another bust.
I was really frustrated now. Everyone else was still giggling and having a ball. They were having good time on a family outing. But, I did not see it. Dang those fish, anyway.
A quick look at the Farm side inflow gate showed no moving water. Then, Paul said he'd like to go back to the first free-line location where he'd first caught fish. The Customer's the boss, so off we went.
Paul was a good guide. We slide into a spot next to grass and hyacinths and let the shiners swim. By golly, this time the fish cooperated a little. Everybody got to catch bass. Even Sammy reeled them in. Then, she got a big old catfish that took all the kinks out of here line.
As the sun got low and the sky a bit gold to the west, I finally took note of what the Schweickert family was really doing. They were not so much 'fishing', as they were just enjoying one another and having plain old fun. While catching a fish, Paul and Calene were even sneaking in a snuggle, or two. Sammy was in the shiner well whenever we needed one and was the first one to the net when a fish was hooked.
And, all the while, they were laughing and playing around and having a good old time.
A family time --- something we can all take a lesson from.
Thanks, guys. I will try not to forget again.
February 20 2002
Ever have one of those days when the 'other guy' seems to have all the luck? It rains on your end of the boat, while 'Old Lucky' basks in sunshine all day? Your Weekend Semi-Pro Catch 'Em lure is suddenly jinxed, while your partner has smashing strike after smashing strike on a bare hook? Doggies, what could be worse??
Well, John Moore said it could be worse if that lucky partner putting the hurts on you so bad was also your WIFE. And, John is speaking from experience.
We hosted John and his wife, Lynda, for a day on the Stick Marsh. John is a retired Army Officer, so we had a lot in common to talk about. Absolutely wonderful folks to spend a day in the boat with.
We started out around 8:30 AM, deliberately missing the cold weather and the "crack of dawn go get 'em" crowd at the ramp. (The Stick Marsh is always better afternoon fishing, so we have adjusted our hours to start later and then fish until close to dark. And, it works, too.)
Stopping at 'Super Secret' Hawg Hole #1, we came up dry and departed quickly. Swinging by 'Super Secret' Hawg Hole #2, found conditions ideal, but there were no fish. So, off to 'Not So Super Secret' Hawg Hole #3 we went.
Ah, ha. It was here we found the magic tactic that had kept us from catching fish at SSHHs number 1 & 2 --- we needed to put Lynda's end of the boat pointing south!!! However, it was not until much later that we recognized this 'advantage'.
[Hey, it's as good a theory as any. There certainly must have been something (I think John said that a few times during the day).]
Anyway, as I was rambling on --- we set the boat up at NSSSHH #3 with the help of three anchors and a LOT of rope. The winds were ONLY 15-25 MPH and gusting. I placed the first shiner up against the grass line, and then a second a little further over. As I was going to the livewell for the third shiner, I mentioned that the first few shiners placed really close to this grass line don't usually last too long. With my head in the livewell and my butt up in the wind, I hear Lynda softly say, "I think one of the bobbers is gone."
Banging my head on the bottom of Lynda's boat seat in my haste, I managed to take a look and agree with her. Yep, the green one on her end of the boat was definitely out of sight. (If you have fished with us, you know the mystique about that darn green bobber!!!) As the line swam towards John's end of the boat and rod slide across the boat floor, your friendly guide grabbed the rod and thrust it into Lynda's hands. "When it comes tight, set the hook as hard as you can. Break the rod!" I coached.
Lynda wasn't sure what that 'break the rod' comment meant. But, the fish hit the end of the line movin' on, the Fireline gave the old sow no slack or stretch, and the hook was set. A few runs past the boat later, mixed with a couple of jumps, and Lynda Moore had her first bass of the day. Pretty good fish, too.
Soon, John got into the act with some 'takers' and Lynda picked up a few more.
(After awhile, it became obvious to even the most casual observer that Lynda had something special going for her that day. I even stooped to searching her purse for a rabbit's foot while she was reeling in yet another good bass!)
Then, the hole died. We worked around the area, repositioning the boat as the winds allowed. But, all we found was Joe Mudfish and his cousins.
So, off we went for a second shot at SSHH #2.
Pulling up, we started jockeying the wind for position with the trolling motor (thank goodness for 24V/74 lb. thrust systems) and finally got the anchors down and holding.
We still did not take note that Lynda was on the south end of the boat.
At SSHH #2, we decided to free-line the shiners using lighter tackle. Right off the bat, John has a good old big 'un that takes the kinks right out of his line. But, it jumps off at the boat.
Meanwhile, Lynda is wondering what this free-line business is all about. We explain that you just do nothing and let the shiner find the fish for you. 'Once you feel a firm swim-off, get the line tight and set that hook.'
Lynda expresses doubt that the shiner really wants to find the bass, and John Moore catches another couple of good fish.
Lynda's second free-line rig, lying on the rear deck, suddenly starts to slide across the gunnel. I dutifully policed it up and put it in her hands. Having now got a pretty good handle on the 'tight line' and 'break the rod' instructions, our lady angler stuck this fish just right. Everything seemed normal until the bass decided there was something not quite right at her end of the line. Then, up to the surface she came.
As the big bass of nearly 10 lbs. blew water into the sky, I stepped on my hat and John Moore choked on his Coke. Probably the only calm person in the STRATOS was Lynda, as she played the fish around anchor ropes and the big motor and then led it directly into the net.
The rest of the time at SSHH #2 produced more good fish for the lady, while John and I managed to donate shiners to the nibblers and catch a catfish, or two.
That's when the light came on! Lynda was on the south end of the boat. That's what it was! That's what it HAD to be!
Wasn't it??
Running out of fish again, we decided to go back to NSSSHH #3 for a final try. There, we finally ran out of shiners.
As we headed to the ramp, I swung in on that infamous SSHH #2 one more time. Putting a crank plug on a rod, I handed it to John and pointed out where to cast it. Sure enough, he got one single fish near 4 lbs. and at least had the last laugh of the day.
(Secretly, I think Lynda had avoided catching that bass when we were there earlier, so John would have a shot at it. Well, it seems like a good theory, because John was casting south when he caught it.)
February 10 2002
That saying about 'some days, you is the bug and some days, you is the windshield' is sure holding true. Whereas the fishing was slow on the 8th with our party, the 10th came back pretty fair.
Booked with Charlie Smith and Red Terry from Kentucky, our goal was to get them a big bass, get them oriented to the Stick Marsh, and get them on bass they could catch for the rest of the week.
Mission accomplished.
Having brought their own boat down with them, Charlie and Red planned to fish all week, with a day or two out for a trip to the Daytona races. So, we started with a map orientation and then headed out into the light rain to find some bass.
The first 2 grass bed spots produced not even a single fish on our shiners. Something did try to take a rod out of the boat once, but we never saw what it was.
Moving down the Marsh a few hundred yards, we set up on submerged wood and told the shiners to go hunting. Red very soon got his stuff ripped pretty good and also got his finger cut pretty bad by the Fireline (A TIP - if you keep your finger under your line when worm fishing for purposes of 'feel', don't do that in the Stick Marsh.) The fish was so fast and strong, Red was unable to control him and the fish pulled the rod over in the water with his first run, cutting the line into Red's finger, which was under it.
By now, you are thinking 'giant fish' and you are right. But, NOT a giant bass. Take a look at the photo. Red is 6 feet tall and his monster gar is about the same!!
Moving once again, we set up along a drop-off grass line and set the shiners. A few small bass went on, but nothing to write home about.
Then, a bobber went south like a shot!! It was on lucky Red's end of the boat again and he was ready. Letting the line come tight, he set back hard, but did not even phase the bass. The big sow literally pulled him out of the boat seat to a standing position. When she finally turned, she was still pulling so strongly, the angler was not fully able to control her. Her mistake came when she tried to go under the boat and crashed right into the net. Just 2 ounces shy of the magic 10 pound mark. She was also a very unique fish. The bass was what we often refer to as a 'football' bass -- short in length, but very large in girth. We did not measure her, but I doubt she was over 22-23 inches long. But, with a head and body that made up for it!
Then, the rains came. Must have been an inch in 30 minutes, or less. But, we waited it out and the Frogg-Toggs worked fine again. Then, we resumed fishing.
Working our way to the SW section of the farm, we took a couple more on shiners and then went with artificials for a while. The Texas rig worm seemed to be the best approach, along with a floating worm and my Swimming Worm. I am sure a spinnerbait will also work. But, we succeeded in finding what appears to be a good area for artificial fishing for the rest of Charlie and Red's week in Florida.
February 8, 2002
 Had the pleasure of fishing with Josh Beckett and his friend, Zack, today. Zack is a student at the University of Central Florida and Josh is a 'fast-burner' with the Florida Marlins. Starting his 3rd year as a 95 MPH+ pitcher with the Marlins, Josh's ERA is an enviable 1.50. He can cast a worm just about as fast as he pitches, too.
This was one of those odd days when we just couldn't get the bass to take the shiners well at all. I don't know if it was the small cold front the day before or if we had a jinx on us. But, the bass avoided us well.
We did manage to sneak up on a few, and Josh always let Zack do the honors (nice guy to fish with, for sure). Even when we went to the Super Secret Hawg Hole with the deep crank plug, Josh told Zack to do the deep cranking. We visited it 2 times and each time Zack got the 3-5 lb fish it is noted for. A few fish came on artificials. But, all in all, it was slow for the Stick Marsh. Still, we had a lot of fun and Josh got a break from the spring training camp.
 
February 7, 2002
The access road to the Marsh has been graded a couple of times recently and is in reasonable shape. Stay to the north side most of the way in and out for the best ride. Lots of dust on it, so a boat cover is highly recommended.
Water is about 6 inches below normal pool, but that causes no problems at this point. Just watch for the floaters all the wind has moved around. Many are caught in grass and difficult to see.
The SW corner of the Farm looks like someone yelled, "free sex, nickel beer and low pool tables to give the short man a chance". Must be the only place some can catch a fish. But, the fish are always there this time of year and it's best to fish where the fish are. Possibly the least fished area of the entire complex is the NE quadrant of the Farm (map coordinates F-6 and E-6. The north/south canal in the F4-7 area is really full of fish, especially along the backside of the submerged levees. The canal that runs along the east shore (G 4-7) is packed with crappie and with small bass along both sides where there is grass. The crappie are pre-spawn feeding and are full of eggs. None are leaking them yet, however. The bass, mostly in the 2-4 lb range, will take a slowly sinking soft jerk bait and a small spinnerbait readily. A 6-inch worm rigged with a 1/32 or 1/16 sinker works, too. Just watch for the hits to come on the drop. I did not have much time yesterday to check much else, but those may help you avoid the crowds in the SW end.
I have not fished it since early week, but the west side of the Marsh had fish, so I know they are still there. Fish 50-150 off the west shoreline. You will find a grass line that grows parallel to that west shoreline about 30-50 feet out from the shore. You want to fish the outside edge of it and on outwards to those other 100 feet over the submerged grass. A Rogue, Rapala, or a Bomber Long A hard jerk bait will work. Try both a real slow, easy presentation and then one of the long-pull ripping methods. Both will catch fish, but use the one that seems best at the time. Spinnerbaits and the soft jerk baits also work.
Bass Pro Shops has a great alternative to those ridiculously high priced Senkos. It is called a Stik-O (or, Stick-O). Works great rigged either Texas style or Wacky Worm style. 60 cents for a 1-cent piece of plastic is a bit too much of a mark-up for me to handle. Most anything will catch a fish, if it moves and is presented in the proper location.
For you crappie enthusiasts, you can get on your mark, get ready, get set - and just about 'go'. The fish are really bunching along the edges of grass now. They prefer that which have hyacinths in it, due to the dangling root system of those plants. Hyacinth roots are like a potato planted in a jar of water. They have white, hair-like roots that grow in bunches and hang down about 12 inches under water. The minnows feed and hide in these roots. Grass shrimp, a real delicacy for bluegills and crappie, also live in abundance in the root system.
The crappie are bunching along grass lines well now, feeding in preparation for the spawn. If a cold front comes through, they will now retreat to the canal adjacent to the grass line (if there is one) or under the grass mat. Wherever they go, they will be in big schools, as that is their mode just before moving into the actual spawning areas in mass.
Minnows and jigs will both work. Jigs are quick and easy and the crappie will attack them now. 1/16th is the best size. I like my PERFECT jig, but most any will do. Just retrieve it slow and steady near and in the grass. If there is too much grass for a clean retrieve, use a 10-12 foot pole and vertical jig at 4-5 feet. The PERFECT jig has a center of mass balance point and will present horizontally.
February 3, 2002
 It was our pleasure to have Alex Rice, his 4 year-old son Evan, and their good friend Ken, of north Georgia, as of guests for two days recently. Absolutely beautiful weather and mild temperatures reminder us that a lot of people somewhere were shoveling snow!!
The very first thing I want to say is that I believe I saw a 'first' on this booking. We were out chasin' those green fish from early until nearly dark both days and 4 year-old Evan never even once indicated he wanted to 'go home', 'go to the bank', or even an 'I'm tired'. He was the first one to the live well when someone needed a new shiner. He even beat me too the net on a couple of occasions. He yanked a few of those big bluegills on his own and reeled in a few bass, too. He can throw the dickens out of a spin-cast reel, too!! If he could tie a knot, he would give me a run for my job. Quite a trooper and future fisherman, that one. Another thing that stood was the excellent rapport between this father and son.
I am not sure what was happening, but the bass slowed down from all their previous wild feeding at the first of the week. Even with live shiners out there, they seemed reluctant to really build up a head of steam. Each day, we had to hunt and work until we found a location that would produce. But, eventually, I disguised myself as Don Willis, self-proclaimed 'World's Worst Fisherman', and managed to sneak up on some. Since they thought I was Don, they just lay there doing slow backstrokes and sipping their mint juleps. All we had to do was hide Ken's face in a sack and we were home free.
We started out with Alex and Evan being on the 'hot' end of the boat, which Ken attributed to the infamous 'green bobber' on one of their shiner rigs. (If you have fished with us using shiners, I am sure you recall that bobber. I can't figure why, but it sure seems to catch a lot of fish. Maybe I should change them all to green!?!)
With the exception of one small 2-pound fish, the bass got bigger and bigger with each one caught. Nothing ever reached bragging size until Ken took the sack off his head. Then, one near 8-pounds, got to laughing so hard, she swam into the net. Ken quickly snagged the net with his hook and loudly proclaimed he had caught her. But, Evan saw the whole thing and knew better.
With that fine big female recorded and photographed, others decided the free shiner meal and the publicity was worth the effort, and they dutifully snagged themselves on Ken's hook. Ken smiled back at Alex and Evan as they sat with the now-impotent green bobber, while he released yet another bass. Suddenly, the wind shifted and the bobbers all began to drift towards Ken's end of the boat. As the green bobber slide in close to Ken's two red ones, he accused Alex and Evan of poaching. But, it was too late, the greenie-weenie was back and worked a couple of more fish. But, then, so did Ken.
One thing we became more than aware of on this trip, were the ever-present giant Stick Marsh gar and mudfish, who like to rip a shiner. Ken got up close and person with one giant gar specimen. Thinking is was a bass at first, I was right there beside the angler with my trusty net. Then, the Monster With a Million Teeth came flashing beside the boat at something less than 100 MPH. I put the next back in its place, moved to the far end of the boat and told Ken, "You got 'em, Ace." Luckily the big critter did a semi-pro quick release trick and we did not have to tangle with him further.
Both mudfish and gar tend to play around with a shiner, nipping and tugging at it just enough to keep the bobber moving in an altering manner. Then, when they decide to take the bait, there is no sudden and violent submersion of the bobber followed by a fast sprint, as there usually is when a bass takes it. Mudfish and gar simply start to slowly swim away with their prey. Often, the bobber never goes under at all, but just slides across the surface, a la Jaws pulling the barrels across the waves. Such was the case with Alex at one instance.
We watched the bobber dip up and down, jerk a little side-to-side, and finally start to slide across the surface. Alex just sat and waited for the line to come tight, knowing a gar or mudfish would then drop the bait as they felt resistance. (Gotta save those shiners, you know.) The bobber soon reversed direction, came right over to the side of the boat at Alex's feet, and sat there dipping and turning gently. Alex placed slight tension on the line and indicated he could feel that the fish was tugging gently at the shiners. After a few seconds, he decided to just set the hook and be done with it. To the surprise of everyone, a big female bass, still laden with roe, took to the air. It was quite a tussle with only 5-6 feet of line out. It just goes to show that you can never really tell.
As we closed out the last afternoon, we spent the final hour before dark trying out the new PERFECT jig colors on a grass line we liked. Ken had the cinnamon/red tail, Alex had the basic cinnamon/blue tail, and I opted for the chartreuse/blue tail. The action was pretty fast and we got a mix of crappie, shellcrackers and big Marsh bluegills to make a fish fry back in Georgia.
February 1, 2002
  Had the opportunity to associate and fish with two Army retirees, like myself, the other day. Don Callaway and his father, Frank, came to fish with us on the Stick Marsh and we had the opportunity to tell and hear some 'war stories' about places and events and people we had known in our travels around the World. While Frank started off in Korea in 1951, while Don and I were somewhat contemporaries with Vietnam.
While the quantities of bass fell off from previous days, the QUALITY of fish we caught on our day out was very good. I can't recall a bass under 4-pounds. To go along with the fishing, we sure had some interesting times, too. Frank caught his largest bass ever. A big water moccasin wanted to join us in the boat, or at least steal a shiner. Frank caught a needlenose gar that was the biggest I have seen in the Marsh. It was easily 5 feet long and I am sure it was a good 25-35 pounds, possible more. Don caught a chain pickerel on a Rat-L-Trap that was about as big as they get in the Marsh. And, the bass he caught would have won most any tournament I have seen.
The attached photos and the following email we got from Don Callaway say it all.
"Jim,
Just wanted to again say thanks for a good day on the water. Both dad
and I really enjoyed it. We talked about the events of the day all the way
back to Lakeland. When you think about it......he caught the biggest
freshwater fish I've ever personally seen caught on a hook and line and he
enjoyed fighting that 25+ pound gar all the way to the boat. We are both
very happy that you won the fight with the water moccasin. I never thought
I'd see the day in Florida that I would be asked to pose for a picture with
a pickerel. And my 6 bass creel of about 34 pounds rounded off the day
very nicely. We're looking forward to seeing the pictures so we can tell
all the stories to our families.
Happy fishing friend.
Don"
Today's Weather for
the Stick Marsh Area
Past Fishing Reports
Farm 13/Stick Marsh Information Guide
Email questions to jporter@jimporter.org.
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