Stick Marsh/Farm 13

[Greenworm]

Nine days of the month have gone by already with our nation's greatest holiday right in the middle of it. The 4th is one of the few days during the year that we don't fish.

Back on the first I had out Steve Levi and friend Jim for a 1/2 day AM trip and we did okay. We didn't find anything bigger than 5-pounds, but we found about 35 willing bass to play with, with some top water action to accentuate the fun. Some of you may know Jim as he represents B.A.S.S. on some of the east coast areas, and previously was with Zoom Baits.

On the 2nd and 3rd Scott took Sue Laferty and Bill Loges out. With artificial baits they worked several areas of the Marsh/Farm and managed about 80 bass for the two days on the water. I had out my oldest son, grandson Chris, and my daughter-in-law's father Bob on the 3rd, fishing until 10:30. We managed 30 that morning with 6-pounds topping the day for Bob.

Scott had out Mike Rogers and Danny and fished the spillway area with a combination of shiners and artificial. Big fish was a 7.25-pound fish caught on a C-rig for the 2 days, and the fellows caught over 200 bass for their outings.

Scott had out Marc Marine, his father Tony, and Eric Dovale on the 7th. They opted to give the shiners a try in the spillway area and put over 60 bass in the boat with a 8.5-pound lady the big fish for the day.

Weather: Conditions for the last few days have been very warm as it is for most of the country. We had some breeze for most of the time which helped to make it a bit nicer on the water, and there has been cloud cover, but very little rain. Late day storms have held off so we have been able to get in full days. Have plenty of fluid and sunscreen protection when you come. Rain gear is a must-have anytime out here: ponchos don't make good rain gear. Also remember eye protection.

Road conditions are fair although the trucks that have been hauling in dirt to repair the west wall of the Marsh/Farm have made some deeper ruts. Common sense and reduced speed however make passage a non-problem issue.

Areas that we have found fish: Spillway - although it is flowing, Garcia and the Marsh are at equal levels and the current is not producing the artificial bite that it normally does. Over the last 9 days the spillway and the pipes have been open. Shiners however, both in the spillway and out from the spillway have been doing very well, and have been producing the best bite.

Pump house - Although the pumps have been running daily and there has been some current, this has not been a producing area. The current has not been sufficient to get the bass excited and banging the c-rigs. Minimal catches have come from this area.

Intersections - we have marked a considerable number of fish at the center intersection, but getting the bass to hit has been a difficult chore. If the shad come through it's bonanza time, but as soon as they depart the lunch bell stops ringing and the bass get pretty tight lipped. We have checked the other intersections and have nothing much to report on either of them.

The north end of the center ditch has seen some top water action but it is not sustained. It is widely sporadic at best, and when the shad leave so it seems do the bass. There is a swale that runs east to west along the north end of the ditches and we have had some success there with a rattle trap. This bite has been on and off from day to day and you need to cover quite a distance when it is on.

Point of the divider levee had some top water activity in the early morning but this has waned as the water levels increased. Presently the lake is quite high with adjacent areas of water being at equal height, so the current is quite a bit reduced. Prior to the increase we saw a lot of top water activity in several areas but this has dropped off in the last week quite a bit. You can bet that with the rain coming from the effects of hurricane Dennis will increase water levels on all areas over the next few days.

I haven't spent much time checking areas on the Marsh side, but what I have checked hasn't produced anything of significance. Twin Palms will yield some fish with best results coming directly next to wood. Weightless Senkos pitched to visible timber will produce anywhere on the Marsh, but with the high water, finding visible wood is not easy. The same is holding true for the south end of the Farm.

With the upcoming burst of new water that should occur as a result of Dennis I would expect to see all areas increase in production. The inflow will be carrying new food from runoff which should get the bait more active, and we should experience somewhat of a cool-down in water temperatures.

See you out there. Have a great day on the water.

For the months of July, August, and September you can fish what I consider the best fishing grounds in the USA during what I consider to be our best fishing season and save big time.

Book a two day trip and pay 1/2
the full day rate for the 2nd day. That's a savings of $150.00 for the trip: enough to definitely help with the transportation getting here, or to pay for the lodging.

Book a four day trip and bring a 3rd person for
free. Fee for the four days: $900.00 That's a savings
of $600.00 for the trip.