Stick Marsh/Farm 13

The first thing that I have for you is a "POTENTIAL NAVIGATION WARNING"!!!!!
There is a sunken boat is located on the south side of (Ditch #7) which is the ditch that separates the Stick Marsh area from the Farm 13 area. It is approximately 1/2 way between the east and west end of the levy and presently as you can see is right against the levy. The boat is carrying Georgia registration numbers and appears to be abandoned as it has been there for a couple of weeks now. Presently it poses no threat, however if winds were to break it loose and it got into the ditch it could be a very serious threat as (ditch 7) is a main navigational transition ditch to the Farm. Keep a watchful eye out as this could be an extreme hazard.
Fishing, as was expected for April has been extremely good as long as the weather cooperated. However it is a heavily dependant on what the winds do in strength and direction. Thursday was a day where the wind simply didn't want to cooperate in both strength and direction. The wind blowing out of the north primarily, (not good for most of the lake areas) with gusts over 20, took out the entire south end of the Farm. The south end of the Farm has been out best producing area, but with strong north winds the abundance of wood can make that area not just uncomfortable, but also quite dangerous for both equipment and occupants of the boat. These conditions restricted Scott and his passengers Mike Gingerich and Leon Butler of York, PA. to working the north end of the Marsh, and only a couple of bass for the outing.
Yesterday was a complete flip with winds between 5-10 varying throughout the day from the east to the south-south east. The bass cooperated from almost the first cast hitting rattle traps with gusto. There was a real good mix in size throughout the day with Don Willis, (he pleaded to go and we took the chance that we could overcome his jinx), landing several nice bass including one really hearty lady.
Don was hoping for 10+ but the Boga Grip said 7 pounds. Actually, taking Don on these working forays that we do in between trips is extremely helpful, as Don is a pretty good stick and helps us keep track of where the fish are and there almost constant movements. His claim of being "the world's worst" has slipped away as far as we are concerned. We simply put a mask on him and once he has hooked the fish we remove the mask. You have to see the look of absolute surprise in the bass's eyes as Don (sans the mask), hauls them aboard. According to Don, that look is one of pure joy because it is he that is holding them, but to us it looks more like one of shear terror as the bass struggle to get back to their watery abode.
Big fish for the day also came on a rattle trap and yours truly, (did you really think it would have been someone else), hauled her out. This lady tipped the scale at 9.25 pounds. She slammed the trap about 20 feet from the boat and did just about every trick in the book to get loose, but the hook set held, (which is always a question mark? when using rattle traps. We, Scott, Don, and I were working the traps in about 5 feet of water with medium speed retrieves. By the time we quit, (1:30), we boated 60 bass of various sizes.
As we move into the time of the year when the fishing is at its best the parking lot has less and less cars. Also, another factor for the drop in number of boats is the lack of weed to be found on the lake. However, if you can get past the mental block of not having a target to cast to and remember that the grass only led you to the wood that the fish were hanging around year after year you can have a really good day out here. The fish are exactly where there was this time last year with the only change being the bait that is working the best. Top water isn't quite as good yet but it is there in bits and pieces. When top water is working Chug Bugs and buzz baits have both produced, but for most periods of the day the baits need to be down. Rattle traps have been ruling as far as we can tell, but don't forget the plastic bite.
See you on the water. Say hi if you get the chance.