Stick Marsh/Farm 13 - Florida

Since my last report we have done 30 trips out on the Marsh and one to Garcia. Most have been with artificial bait and the one that shone above all others has been the 1/2 ounce rattle trap in chrome/blue with orange belly. Worked at a medium to fast retrieve this little gem has produced fish to 10 pounds with many that were in the 6 to 10 pound range. Several of the trips have had catches in excess of 100 bass including both live bait and artificial bait.
Most of the shiner trips have taken place in the spillway area. All of our artificial trips have been concentrated in the south end of the Farm where bass in various stages of spawn activity have been busy.
Weather continues to play a large factor in our success as the passage of fronts continues and windy days make for some difficult fishing. However, the windy days have lessened over the last three weeks and will continue to do so through this month. We are seeing some top water activity but there has been no consistent bite in that area. As I said above, the rattle trap has been very productive with the bite remaining solid on the trap all day long.
To put up the many pictures would fill this page, so if you wish to see them click on the link: http://www.imaginationbassin.com/March2005photos.htm
http://www.imaginationbassin.com/AprilPhotos2005.htm
Water levels remain high and grass is just starting to grow in many of the areas. The Stick Marsh side we really had the opportunity to work but Twin Palms, the NW corner, and the middle west area have all been showing fish on the electronics as we have passed through. Again, I would think that the rattle trap would be best producer on the Marsh side.
We did have some success with Senkos, but with the fish on the move they aren't drawing anything close to the rattle trap. Spinner baits have been pretty much the same with some productivity but very slow compared to the trap. When the spinner bait is working slow rolling has been the best.
The area off the C54 is still producing some bass but it has quieted down considerably over the last couple of weeks. Also the spillway on the Farm has seen a reduction in the catch, which is to be expected with the pounding that it has taken. The water flow was stopped last week and even shiners were hard pressed to produce bites.
April promises to be an outstanding month which is quite usual with the top water expected to come on strong over the next couple of weeks. We are starting to see large balls of shad and expect the chug bug and buzz bait to become primary bait very soon. Give us a call! We have some dates open in April and would be glad to take you out for a day on this great lake.
Say hi if you see Scott or I on the water.