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FARM 13 / STICK MARSH FISHING REPORT
JANUARY 2003
January 31, 2003
FLASH!!! FLASH!!!
THE BIG CRAPPIE HAVE STARTED TO SPAWN!
On 31 Jan 03, we had two groups out search for giant crappie. Myself and Wayne Winters went over to Kennansville Lake. Lou Daniels and his buddy, Punch, went to the Stick Marsh.
Some of the results are shown in the pictures. Both groups found the first wave a big crappie moving into the spawning areas. This seems a bit unusual, in that our central Florida crappies have always started the spawn around mid-February and tapering off in late March.
 
 In the Stick Marsh, Lou found them in the Nursery area (cooridnates B - 2.5 on our interactive map). This is a normal location to find them, even though it is early. Tossing Swimmin' Image plugs for bass, Lou immediately caught 4 huge crappie in a small area. Switching to a cinnamon/blue tail PERFECT jig, he reported the fish were very aggressive and fast to take the jig. That is a sure indication that they are being protective of the spawning area.
Expect to find more and more of these crappie moving into the wood and grass areas on the south end of the Farm 13 portion of the impoundment. Grass is the key ingrediant, with wood being a contributor. Crappie DO NOT make beds on the bottom, as do bass and bluegills. Instead, crappie expell their eggs in long sticky strings that adhere to the grass (or, wood, if no grass is present).
At Kennansville, we had to search for the fish a bit, but eventually found the big crappie staging just off the submerged canal levees that had reed stands growing on them. There is some sparse hydrilla/milfoil around the reeds, but very little. There is a bit of what we call Kissimmee grass on the submerged levees, as well. The crappie were holding 3-4 feet out from the levees and possible 3-5 feet deep. They seems ready to move into the reeds at anytime and appeared already very aggressively protecting the area. Again, the PERFECT jig was our lure choice, but I am sure most any small jig will do fine.
Between the two boats, ALL of the crappie caught were big ones. This is normal, in that the bigger females always seem to spawn first. Possibly their mature bodies just grow and ripen the ggs faster than do the small fish. We really don't know.
But, we do know that NOW is the time to fill that freezer with these tasty panfish!!
Please release those crappies that you do not plan to keep for eating.
January 25, 2003
Business partners, Jerry Davis and Frank Griffeth, made the long haul from Mobile, AL., to visit the Stick Marsh before the cold weather lowered the boom on us. These two 'workaholics' finally decided they just HAD to get away from the ship overhaul business and take a break. But, the Stick Marsh bass had other ideas. Neither angler got to sit still long enough to even spell the word 'rest', with bass attacking shiners as though they were wearing rag hats and riding camels.
Running across the Stick Marsh, we noted the day promised low winds and warm temperatures. The water was slick and smooth in the early light, and the Blue Herons were already actively pursuing their first meal of the day. The sheer beauty and tranquility of the Stick Marsh at dawn is alone worth the trip. But, that tranquility can mask a lot of fast-paced activity awaiting the angler.
Our current shiner hole was awaiting us, as we slowed the STRATOS to a crawl and dodged in amongst the submerged stumps. This fine location is a combination of the better features we have found that identify a good fishing spot, especially for bass. It has the following:
- A submerged channel edge, with a small levee running along it
- A solid wall of grass along that edge
- Intermittent stumps along the levee trace
- Sparse grass to the outside of the thick wall
Here is why we think it is so productive and how we approach it:
- Winds, which blow towards the thick grass wall, push water to the wall. The wall is very thick and impedes the water movement, causing the flow to divert along the face of the wall in one direction or the other, depending on the angle of the wind. Moving water is a magnet that draws bass to feed.
- The submerged canal and levee help channel any moving water along the face of the grass wall.
- The intermittent stumps provide reference points for a fish in a holding pattern.
- Grass and wood always provide food and cover for small baitfish, which bring the larger game fish.
- When dormant, the fish seems to go into the thicker grass. In this instance, we find we need to put the shiners right against the wall. When active, the bass are usually out in the sparse grass outside the thick area. We can tell the activity level is high when the bass drive the shiners to the surface and blow up on them, al la topwater style. In this condition, we place the shiners 4 -10 feet out from the wall and in the vicinity of the most stumps.
Setting up four shiner rods for two anglers usually takes a few moments. This time the process was continually interrupted by bobbers going down and coming up - going down and coming up - going down and just GOING!!
We experienced our common 'dry spells' a few times during the fishing day. But, with a slight re-positioning of the boat, Jerry and Frank had good action until the shiners were used up.
Jerry wound with the big bass of the day, a large female carrying lots of eggs. Frank had to answer his cell phone approximately 763 times during our time out, showing just how popular he was back at work. Occasionally, he would calmly place the phone between his ear and shoulder, continue talking, and set the hook on a fat bass. His tone of voice would never change as he played the fish to the boat. Sometimes, he might say "Excuse me for a moment while I get the fish off the hook" and put the phone down momentarily. But, usually, he just did the job and the caller did not even realize Frank was actively engaged in other matters while talking.
Frank DID finally have to give in to the excitement late in the day when two things happened.
- The first was when both his bobbers deep-sixed at the same time while he was on the phone. He showed quite a bit of dexterity and coordination there. And, he got both fish in, too.
- The next event was when he was on the phone with his wife and a big bass decided to devour his shiner. We had burned up all our shiners and were then fishing with a few dead ones that were left. The bass hit the dead bait with such ferocity that there was little time to react. I grabbed the rod to stop it going over the side and handed it to Frank. Frank duly handed me the phone, at which time I asked his wife to "Hold, please. Frank has just become somewhat preoccupied". (Ms. Griffeth thought that was cute.)
 As we motored in, we stopped to view another beautiful and unobstructed sunset over the west wall of the impoundment. With the warm sun, balmy breezes, and continuing 'bass attacks', we had experienced yet another great day on the fabulous Stick Marsh.
Somewhere in Heaven, there MUST be a place like the Marsh.
Coming next, Dale Marcott and his Father, Roger, find the bass slowed down a lot. Even though the weather is stable and a few days after a front, we had a low fish count. But, there were some good fish in the few we did entice to the hook.
January 18, 2003
Walt Hoover is a special guy. He's a young man conducting medical research into Alzheimer and Parkinson's diseases, as part of his Ph.D. work in Boca Raton, Florida. The results of Walt's efforts, and the many other engaged in similar races against time to save humanity, will someday allow many afflicted people live again and will save millions of others from the horrors of the two diseases.
But, he is also a fisherman and a 'sandbagger'. He called and booked a trip for artificial lures only. I told him the plastic worm was hot right now and asked if he was proficient with the lure. He indicated that he had done mostly saltwater and had not fished a worm much. That answer really did not seem to indicate Walt would comfortable with a Texas rig.
Well, friends and neighbors, that boy was putting the shuck on old Jim. I think the count finished up at 56 bass in 4.5 hours, and Walt had 48 of them!! I think Walt may have written the book on the plastic worm!
The morning Walt Hoover drove up from his home in West Palm Beach, it was clear and somewhat cool. But, before the day was out, the weather was warm and beautiful - a typical winter day in Florida. The morning winds gradually diminished and, by noon, it was nearly calm.
Starting our search for bass, we tossed lures along a submerged canal levee in the Farm 13's southern half. BIF, BANG - Walt was into them immediately! The small 2-pound fish were ready and willing to work on his 5-inch pumpkinseed offering. Adhering to the policy of not fishing in front of a client, I took an assortment of lures to the other side of the boat, where submerged grass and some wood was standing off the bottom. There was about 3 feet of open water above most of the grass, so I selected shallow lures.
The Swimming Worm worked really great, with both bass and chain pickerel eating it with abandon. Just a slow, steady retrieve is all it takes with that easy-to-fish lure. Next, I tossed a Swimmin' Image and a spinnerbait with equal success. So, I was comfortable we had back-up lures in the event that Texas rig's early success was just a flash in the pan.
But, it wasn't a just a flash in the pan. Walt Hoover and that worm turned out to be a team that 'flashed' the bass all afternoon!! Even with all the bass he boated, Hoover probably got twice as many strikes and did not hook them. I am sure most of his missed strikes were the chain pickerel and the big bluegill that are also in the area. (Remember this - when bass are bedding, bluegill will come in huge schools to try and steal the eggs off the bed. They do the same thing when the crappies bed. You can expect a lot of hits if you fish a slow, small lure. Just recognize that it is not your lack of hook-setting skill that misses them - they are probably not bass.)
Moving to a grass flat adjacent to the submerged canal, we found plenty of bass, and even MORE pickerel, ready to grab the worm. However, Walt had not yet got a 'biggie'. So, the next stop was the grassline at the very south end of the Farm.
First, we worked about 50 yards out from the grassline in open water. What is actually there is a neat bit of structure that often holds big bass. Near the grassline, the water is about 3.5 feet deep. Approximately 50 yards out, there is a small, but rapid, contour change of 3 feet that runs like a wide point extending out from the grassline. Along the top of this contour line, are a series of small stumps about 2 feet high. Walt whopped them there. But, still nothing over maybe 4 pounds.
So we slipped back to the edge of the grassline looking for a possible spawner. Walt quickly found buck bass along the grass, which was an encouraging sign that they might be making beds.
Then, in a small indentation in the grassline, Walt connected with a bass between 6 and 7 pounds. That was his largest to date and was a really nice female with bulging egg sacs.
Lots of bass, a warm sunny day, and great companionship. What a way to make a living!!
Next up, Jerry Davis and Frank Griffeth , make the long haul from Mobile, AL., to visit the Stick Marsh. These two 'workaholics' finally decided they just HAD to get away from the ship overhaul business and take a break. But, the Stick Marsh bass had other ideas and really put them through their paces. Neither angler got to sit still long enough to even spell the word 'rest', with bass attacking shiners from every direction.
Come back soon. Jerry and Frank's trip report will be up in a few days (whenever I get a break from the water!!). And, you folks to the north - put another log on the fire, keep your feet warm and remember that Spring is really not that far away!
January 16, 2003
Water levels are still up about 6 inches due to recent rains and clarity is good. Water in areas of the thicker grass is clearer due to natural filtration. Water temperatures are 56-58 degrees and may rise a couple of degrees during a sunny day. But, it drops back at night. The 6-mile road is in good shape and being graded regularly.
 James Kitchens and his son, Daniel, came for a day with us on the Stick Marsh. As it was a bit cold and windy, we opted for shiners most of the day.
The bass cooperated, but somehow managed to lose a pound or more from their normal average weights. I think this trip followed that old saying about the fishing being good the day before and the day after. While we caught fish, they were only 2-lb. average, and that is being kind. Daniel managed to come up with a couple of good solid bass, but I think he was doctoring his shiners with a magic potion. Hooksetting was excellent and all other techniques done very well. But, the bass just ran small.
I later checked with two other guides and a couple of other boats coming off the water, and none had even caught half what we had. Plus, none had landed anything of any size. So, maybe we did well considering it appeared it was a tough day for everyone.
The good part was that we burned up all our shiners, so the guys caught some fish. But, in that exact same location, we had done 3 lb. average bass, up to 6.5 lbs., with about 45 coming to the boat. The next day and a half after James and Daniel fished with us, we again pitched shiners to the exact same weedbed wall and took caught some 60 bass, with a number being in the 6 lb.+ range.
I suppose that's why it's called 'fishing' and not 'catching'. But, there will be another day.
In our next update, Dick Smith and Bob Kesterton made that 'another day' comment come very true in that same location the very next morning! BAM, CRASH, and SHAZAM --- the shiners were flying everywhere, the bass were jumping over the boat, the girls were giggling, and the band was playing! Such is fishing.
Dick Smith and Bob Kesterton came to fish with us on a cool day that produced HOT bassin'!! Dick is a permanent resident of Sarasota, while Bob resides in the Atlanta area. One day, Bob called Dick and noted yet another cold front was coming through Georgia. "Can I make a semi-business trip down your way?" Bob pleaded. "I sure would like to go fishing without a snowmobile suit and gloves."
This was just what Dick was looking for - a good excuse to go fishing, under the guise to assisting his long-time fishing buddy, Bob, escape from the rigors of a building winter.
With the big STRATOS loaded up with shiners, we left the Stick Marsh boat ramp with great expectations. And, by golly, they all came true!
Very few boats even come near my best shiner hole. They all play follow-the-leader (whoever that may be) and head for the SW corner of Farm 13. It sorta looks like some yelled 'free sex and nickel beer' most mornings, with a boat tied to every tree and stump, and two more anchored in-between. But, they catch fish most days. Not near as many as my parties do, I don't believe. At least, that's what some of the other customer-anglers indicate at the ramp. I think in may be that the bass in that SW corner have been caught so many times, they have started to move out, or the mortality rate is thinning them.
We set up the boat parallel with a heavy, submerged grass wall using two anchors. Then, we placed the shiners under bobbers at about 2-3 feet. After a couple of fish and some chain pickerel problems, the action went from slow to stop. Well, I KNOW those fish are right in that area, so we just moved the boat 50 feet to where a small indentation existed in the solid mass of grass. Boy, was that the spot!! Just that short 50-foot move made all the difference in the World and the shiners began flying, the bass jumping over the boat, the girls giggling, and the band playing in the background.
For once, I forgot to count the fish Dick and Bob caught and released. I was so busy netting big bass and baiting hooks that I just didn't have time, I suppose. But, it sure was a bunch. And, there were a good number of 4-6 lb. bass in the stack, too. Many were either in process of spawning (the females often spawn with more than one male over a period of time) or were preparing to. The bellies of some were massive when compared to their overall length.
In a few hours, the guys had about burned all those shiners up and, in-between bass, Dick had taken to tossing a Texas rig off his end of the boat. Dang, he was popping the bass good on that worm, too! So good, your friendly guide had to grab a shiner rod a couple of times to keep it from going over the side.
Down to just a few dead shiners in the livewell, I rigged another Texas rig up for Bob. The dead shiners continued to produce bass for us and, on the very last dead one, Dick caught the biggest fish of the day. That's the way it is when the shiner bite is really rolling along!!
Just to show how many bass are in this shiner hole, Dick and Bob caught another 15-20 on the worm. We never lifted the anchors and just sat right in the same spot.
It's tough fishing, but someone has to do it.
Want to have some fun?? Seems like many guides don't carry a scale with them. I suppose that gives them license to 'estimate high', which I have personally seem happen numerous times. Next time, ask your guide to weigh the fish. When he says he left the scale in the truck, ask him to estimate the weight. Then, pull your digital scale out and see how close he was. I suspect you will be surprised. (I have two Berkley digital scales in my boat, both calibrated for error factors using know certified weights. I did have one with a bad battery for two trips, until it was replaced.)
Walt Hoover is a special guy. He's a young man conducting medical research into Alzheimer and Parkinson's diseases, as part of his Ph.D. work in Boca Raton, Florida. The results of Walt's efforts, and the many other engaged in similar races against time to save humanity, will someday allow many afflicted people live again and will save millions of others from the horrors of the two diseases.
But, he is also a fisherman and a 'sandbagger'. He called and booked a trip for artificial lures only. I told him the plastic worm was hot right now and asked if he was proficient with the lure. He indicated that he had done mostly saltwater and had not fished a worm much. That answer really did not seem to indicate Walt would comfortable with a Texas rig.
Well, friends and neighbors, that boy was putting the shuck on old Jim. I think the count finished up at 56 bass in 4.5 hours!! I think Walt may have written the book on the plastic worm!
Tune in for our next update and read more about Walt Hoover.
January 14, 2003
 When Mark Nugent called, I was really glad to hear from him. Last year, we had the pleasure of sharing the boat with Mark, his wife Miriam, and their young son Ciaron, and it was really a great experience. Originally from Ireland and now living in the Boston area, these wonderful people still speak with the rich accent of their native country and are as personable as anyone could wish. Mark said they had spent all of the remainder of last winter, after we had fished, looking at their photos on our web site and re-living the great fishing and warm weather.
Miriam had mastered the Carolina Rig on the first trip and was ready to go at it again. Mark, likewise was ready for plastic worm action. And, Ciaron, who had his first catches of big bass, giant bluegill and slab crappie on our first trip, was itching to do it all again.
So, we did.
First, we went to our shell bed locations and worked crank plugs and the worm. One poor little buck is all that was home. Next, we went to a location with giant crappie, as well as bass. Yep, that worked for the crappie, with one on nearly every cast of the PERFECT jig. But, still no bass.
So, it was off to the shiner hole with a couple of dozen wild ones we had brought along as backup. And, it did not take long for those to get pounded. Nothing big, but the shiners were flying and the bass jumping. Soon out of shiners, it was off to the southeast intake gate on the Farm. Not only would this break the 25-MPH winds, but we had found out the water was running a bit.
It was a strange sight - no one was fishing the moving water at the gate. So, we rigged up and started tossing the Carolina Rigs. Meanwhile, Ciaron and I got off to the side and got out the crappie rigs. It was only 1-2 casts before we found where the panfish were holding in the eddy water. Putting my rod aside, I gave Ciaron the water.
I forget exactly, but I believe Ciaron is 8-9 years old now. But, he still handles that spinning rod like a pro. I do not think that, in the next 2 hours, he missed more than 2 casts having a fish. Every cast he had either a crappie or a bluegill or a bass on the jigs. And, because we had two jigs rigged about 8 inches apart, he caught two fish at once many times. After a bit of this fantastic catching, Ciaron looked at me and said he thought this must be what it was like to be a pro fisherman.
The Nugents got no big bass this trip and that makes two trips in a row to the Stick Marsh without a trophy. But, we all had a great time in the warm sun and even got down to wearing shorts and T-shirts. That's not bad when you consider that someone, somewhere was shoveling a lot of snow that day!!!
January 11, 2003
Water levels are up about 6 inches due to recent rains and clarity is good. Water in areas of the thicker grass is clearer due to natural filtration. Water temperatures are 57-59 degrees and may rise a couple of degrees during a sunny day. But, it drops back at night. The 6-mile road is in good shape and being graded regularly.
Bill and his son, David, came for their annual fishing trip and the bass were waiting for them. Last year, David got a real giant fish off one of our prime shiner holes. This year, the giants hid out in fear of the Segalls and only the poor 5-lb. bass got busted.
They booked us for a day and then fished from their own boat for two more. After fishing from the big STRATOS last year, Bill decided a new and bigger boat was in his future. 20 feet of TRITON sure filled the bill (no pun intended).
The guided day started well with shiners getting the short end of the stick. Even though it was cold and windy, the shiners were knocked around quite well by the largemouths. In fact, it was like a no-holds-barred barroom brawl for awhile. You could hear bobbers popping in the morning air like horses pulling their feet from a mud bog. But, for all the fish caught and released, we got no big fish. Usually the odds give you a good one after you manage a bunch of small ones, but not this day.
After burning up the shiners, we went looking elsewhere with artificials.
The strong winds had send most anglers home early in the day. So, we were not surprised to find only two boats over in the sheltered waters of the SE gate of the Farm. But, we WERE surprised to find the water running and only two boats there!! To top that, only one was fishing the moving water.
We positioned our boat on the western bank and made it two boats in the current real quick like. I picked up a Carolina Rig and cast it into the current. As soon as it hit bottom and moved a couple of feet, a 3-lb. bass was on it like a cat. I handed the rod to Bill and just said, "Here, have fun."
And, fun they did have. For the next couple of hours, Bill and David caught fish after fish. Most were around 3 lbs. and the guys were getting a lot of doubles. Somewhere in that timeframe, I advised that my big Fat Free Shad crank plug might get some bigger bass. David decided he might give it a shot. I advised him to crank it down hard and fast and just hang on to my rod. As he quickly found out, those moving water bass will hit a bottom-bumping crank plug like a freight train.
I lost count of the fish we caught on our guided day on the Stick Marsh. But, Bill indicated that he and David turned another 80+ fish in those next two days. That's pretty fair country fishin' in anyone's book!!
Bill and David plan to return again next year.
January 6, 2003
The Detroit Duo of Nino Viviano and Chuck Brookman cam to test the waters of the Stick Marsh with us this week. Holy cow, did they do a job! And, in the process, they got an unexpected aerial and aquatic show. It was totally unexpected by ALL of us, I assure you.
The idea was to go for bass with both artificials and with shiners. Plus, if time allowed, the 'boys from Detroit' wanted to see some of the Stick Marsh's giant crappie.
Cranks were quickly found to be a slow way to catch bass. The cold from the night before was just getting through and the fish seemed reluctant to chase a lure. So before the winds got too stiff, we stopped on one of my very reliable crappie holes.
The guide always gives a demonstration of the crappie technique, so I picked up a light rig with tandem PERFECT jigs. Casting it into the depths of the submerged Farm 13 canal, I explained that we let the lure drop all the way to the bottom. Then, we lift the jigs off the bottom gently and bring them back with a very slow and steady retrieve. The strike feels like a slight bump to the jigs, I explained. Living up to my nickname of 'Old Lucky', that first cast produced a 1.6 lb. slab. I had Nino and Chuck's attention now!! Nino exclaimed that it was, by far, the biggest crappie he had ever seen anywhere.
Handing each angler a ready crappie rig, I pointed out where to cast and let them go at it. Chuck figured the technique out quickly and started to connect. Nino followed a short time later.
So, one goal of our fishing trip had been accomplished. Next, it was off to the land of the shiner-eating big mouth basses. They were waiting on us, too.
Sitting up parallel to the south end of one of the Farms north/south canals, we set the shiners to float just a couple of feet under bobbers. We were in an area of thick grass, most of which was underwater and out of sight. However, earlier exploration had revealed that there was a large open area in this section of grass, with the grass bed forming nearly a straight wall along the east side of the 50-foot oval open space. We positioned ourselves about 30 feet from that east wall of grass and told the shiners to learn to swim.
A couple of bass immediately went after the shiners. Then, we had a dry spell, punctuated by chain pickerel trying to steal shiners.
Suddenly, a school of bass moved along the grass line and bobbers went in every direction. As quick as it started, the action ended. We waited awhile and then moved to the south end of our oval open area in the grass.
Still using that wall of grass on the east side as our target, we again floated the shiners. Now, the action was better. The fish came more rapidly and were very aggressive. And, we kept wondering where that old big sow was. Generally, if you catch a good number of bass in the Stick Marsh, the odds give you one in the 6-8 pound range. There are just so many good fish that we usually get at least one in the 6 pound range daily. With Nino and Chuck up to 20+ bass by now, it appeared we were due for a good one.
And, a good one she was!
Chuck's right-hand shiner rod was off the back of the boat to the south, but still right near the edge of the thick grass.
ZAP-BANG-POP!! The bobber deep-sixed so hard and fast you could even hear it go under. Chuck grabbed the rod and started the ritual of getting the slack out to set the hook. This time there was no need as the bass did that for him. Heading due south and away from us, the sow bass hit the end of the line and Chuck gave her a hard set to go along with it.
I was later surprised that he turned that bass on the hookset, find out just how big she was. But, she stopped the southward trek and went east for a bit, gradually coming around towards the boat as she followed Chuck's pressure. Suddenly she rolled to the surface and dove back down, while we all gasped. It was Big Momma, for sure!!
Chuck did a good job handling her. The big bass made about three strong, slow passes across the side of the boat, turning on the third one to come at the boat. The guide had the net under water alongside the boat and instructed Chuck to simply guide the fish over the net whenever he felt he could. But, at that time, the bass sounded and went under the boat, too deep to use the net.
Using the rod to keep the bass somewhat at bay and the line off the hull surface, Chuck worked her back out to the open water. This time, she went directly away from us, towards the rear of the boat. But, it was obvious the big girl was now tiring. At maybe 20 feet out, Chuck applied a bit of pressure and the big fish circle and started to be lead back to the side of the STRATOS. With the net already under water and in-place, I knew Chuck had this trophy. We could see the hook right in the center of the top of the mouth.
Then, it happened.
About 6-8 feet from the boat, the hook simply popped right out of her mouth. It just came out and flew up into the air. (I suppose the hook had been around that bone of the upper lip, more so than embedded in flesh. A later examination showed no tear or hook damage to the bass's mouth.)
When that hook came free, the tired bass must have been just as surprised as we were because she just sat there looking right at the boat. Here was 12 pounds of trophy bass sitting fully upright about 2-3 inches under the surface of some very clear water and about 6-8 feet from the boat. She was not moving at all -- just looking at us.
Time stood still for a moment.
I am not sure exactly what thought processes went on, nor what actions took place next. I asked Nino and Chuck to collaborate and write a paragraph detailing what they saw. Here is their email description:
"My father in law, Chuck Brookman, and I were fishing for bass in the Stick Marsh with Jim. The action was really good, and we were catching some nice bass. All of a sudden, Chuck had a hard strike that almost tore the rod out of his hands. He set the hook and the battle was on. We could tell that this was a really big fish, but none of us knew how big it was until it breached the surface. Our mouths dropped as this behemoth bucket-mouth rolled to the surface. As the fight continued, the fish made several attempts to free herself, including going under the boat. Jim had his net out and he was trying to get the mammoth trophy. But, the fish keep fighting. Then, the fish swam out and towards the back of the boat, and 'POP' -- the hook came out of her mouth. She was momentarily stunned after a long fight. But, we all knew it was over and she would just swim away in a second or two. I looked over at Jim, who was in the middle of the boat to say 'wow' and that was too bad that the fish got off. But, Jim was already running towards the back of the boat. Then, I couldn't believe my eyes. He was diving headfirst towards the bass that had to be eight or nine feet away, with the net held out as far as he could reach. I didn't think someone could dive that far. He went under the water and disappeared for a second. Then, he was up again with the trophy in the net!!!!! It was unbelievable, but he got the fish. I have seen many bass fans in my days, but never one as dedicated to landing the big one like Porter. Chuck and Jim agreed to share credit for catching and landing the trophy bass. I'm looking forward to fishing with Jim again next time I'm back in Florida. Thanks again! Nino Viviano"
My next recollection was looking that bass into the net as I flew by her on the left. It was sort of like watching a fly ball until it lands in the glove. I also recall hitting the water and twisting the net upwards and around to try and keep the bass in it, if she was indeed in the net. I was not sure at that time. I recall the water was cold and I had a bit of trouble kicking in the grass to get back to the surface. When I cleared my lungs and eyes, I saw the bass was safely in the net and I kicked towards the boat. Thrusting the net out, I asked Chuck to grab it and pull us in. Once at the boat side, I had him hoist the net and fish in and I went to the rear of the boat. Reaching up to the trim buttons on the side of the motor, I lowered the 200 HP engine fully down. The StingRay fin on the motor made a perfect first step and the second step was the low transom of the STRATOS. Just like climbing a ladder and we were back in the rig.
I haven't ever done that before and do not expect to do it again. It does not come as a part of the guide fee. I suppose it was just one of those split-second things where the opportunity presented itself so attractively, it just couldn't be turned down. I already know there were no underwater stumps in that location, so that may have played a role.
We weighed the bass and took some pictures. Then, Chuck performed the release procedures. After moving water through the big bass's gills a few times, he gave her a soft shove away from the boat. The bass obliged by spraying him with water as she flipped her massive tail and disappeared. Like blowing him a wet, farewell kiss.
With a bunch of bass caught and a trophy in the camera, we had accomplished all the goals for the day. Plus, we shared a (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime experience and an excellent fishing day with two great guys.
Golly, this guiding is a super job!
(Now, where'd I put that dang towel?)
January 1, 2003
 Another really GREAT trip to the Stick Marsh happened Friday. Our old friend, Bob Alexander, wanted to surprise his young buddy, Ryan Petrek, with a day of fishing. Ryan thought they were going out in Bob's boat. So, the surprise was that he was getting a personalized guided trip with a professional guide.
And, what a fine trip it was. Bob said that he wanted to fish artificials for bass, then switch to shiners for awhile. Plus, he wanted Ryan to experience the Marsh's giant crappie on jigs. I like those kinds of trips. They are usually never boring and we get to close out the day with a couple of hours of whatever worked best in the variety of things we tried.
I like those kinds of trips. They are usually never boring and we get to close out the day with a couple of hours of whatever worked best in the variety of things we tried.
Our problem was that EVERYTHING worked well. Around 32 bass and a whole well full of big crappie were the results of the day. So, let's look at how we got there.
We have modified our guide trips to miss the morning crowds, cold weather and misquitoes. And, we take maximum advantage of the better afternoon and evening fishing. We start at 8-9 AM and stop just before dark. Afternoons and late evenings have ALWAYS provided the better fishing on the Stick Marsh. I have been fishing the place since BEFORE it was opened to the public; that means longer than anyone (no matter what they may tell you). In those 13 years, the 2nd half of the day has always proven the better time to be on the water. In fact, that appears to hold true for everywhere is this World I have fished for bass. Some folks just can't stand not to be on the water at or before daylight. That's their thing. I used to be that way, too. But, now I know better.
Starting out at 9 AM, we went directly to a major drop along the main east/west canal that separates the Farm 13 from the Marsh. We were right on the passage of a cold front and the temperature was starting to drop a bit. Plus, the winds were building. I did not know how long we could stay on this unprotected location, but we intended to give it our best. I advised Ryan and Bob to fish close to the edge of the drop and to keep the worm moving with short, erratic hops. If you fished too slowly, even with the frontal condition, I had found these fish would not do much. It was only a cast or two and the action started on Texas-rigged worms. Both Bob and Ryan scored well at this location, with the fish running 2.5 - 3 lbs.
When our canal drop started to dry up, we went to one of my crappie spots. After triangulating the exact location of this hot spot and scoping in on it with the depth finder, I laid two anchors to hold us in the wind. I advised the anglers to keep tossing the worms for awhile, since there were a lot of bass, as well as big crappie, working this submerged levee structure. Sure enough, the bass came right on the lures, with a couple of doubles being had by Bob and Ryan. Bob's complained that Ryan always seemed to get the largest bass of the double. But, I reminded him this was supposed to be Ryan's trip. I am not sure how many were caught at this location, as there were a lot of small bass that we did not count into the final tally.
When the bass bite slowed, we all took up our PERFECT crappie jigs and started working for crappie. Success was almost instantaneous, with the crappie running larger than usual. I believe the few weeks of cold weather we have experienced have drawn the larger crappie out of the thick grass beds and into tighter schools. That is why I think we are starting to see more of the really big ones with such frequency.
As with my experience of weeks past, the best application of the PERFECT jig was to let it settle all the way to the bottom, give it a short jerk off that bottom and follow with a slow, steady retrieve. The key was that slow, steady retrieve. If you added any action to the lure, you got a lot fewer strikes.
At this one location, we filled the livewell with all the fish Bob needed for a big fish fry he had planned. So, we decided to skip any more crappie fishing and move on with the bass.
Per direction, I had brought along two dozen wild shiners. First, we started teaching the shiners to swim under some hyancith mats. Bob got one decent fish, but that was all that appeared to be home. So, we moved and set up along side a depression in the bottom of the Farm 13 side, free-lining the shiners into it. To get Ryan started (since he had never used shiners before), we left him rigged with one rod with the traditional bobber. Almost immediately, Ryan's bobber deep-sixed in the depression and he brought the first shiner bass aboard. Then he got the second. Then, he got the third.
Checking one of the free-lined shiners, I found it had apparently swam back to the boat and gone under it. You can never be too sure of what has really happen in this type of instance, so I handed the rod to Bob and indicated he should see if he could reel up the slack and feel the shiner. But, to be very careful. Sure enough, something BIG had the shiner and was traveling north, while we were fishing south. Bob gave the fish a shot of steel hook and all dickenses broke loose behind the boat. Giant Mudfish are like that. They get somewhat upset and being hooked. We finally got the big 'Grinner' to the boat (the right side of it) and got the hook out. I'd swear that Mudfish smiled at me as I pulled the bent hook from his jaw.
Two dozen shiners did not last very long. In fact, I suspect we went through them in 30-40 minutes. The bass continued to work on Ryan's bobber rig and also started to lay into the free-line swimmers. Out of shiners, but determined to keep fishing, Ryan took one on a worm right around the remaining shiners.
But, soon all the shiners had been eaten. So, the question became 'what do we want to close out with'? The crappie were big and thick in our levee structure. But, the bass had been good over on that canal drop-line. The drop-line it was. And, with the late afternoon upon us, the winds were subsiding well.
The drop-line area, however, chose not to be that good, producing only one fish and a couple of missed strikes. But, we had already had a heck of a day and accomplished all our objectives. Ryan's comment was 'awesome'.
And, so, the end of another great day on the Stick Marsh.
Today's Weather for
the Stick Marsh Area
Past Stick Marsh Fishing Reports
Farm 13 / Stick Marsh Information Guide
Email questions to jporter@jimporter.org.
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