DECEMBER 2005

Submitted by George & Scott

This report is late in filing and covers the last two weeks of December. It was a period of some really good fishing and some really poor fishing depending on whether the wind howled or laid down long enough to give you the chance to work the lake.

Both artificial and live bait fishing has moved as frequently as the wind did. The cleanest water was usually the answer, although there were times that the fish bit in some of the dirtiest water. Artificial baits that worked best were plastics either un-weighted or when the wind was up, slightly weighted. In every case the presence of wood was a major factor.

Bill Florence with a live bait caught bass in the spillway area. Bill and his father hail from Opelike, Alabama and had a day of a combination of bass, pickerel, and catfish. However the 8-pound bass was the highlight of the day.

Brennon Fitzpatrick and his daughter Ellie came for a day of fishing with artificial bait and the day was very poor. One fish found its way to the boat, but Ellie was totally undaunted and fished the entire day. At the young age of 8 this was quite a showing for a dedicated fisher gal.

For two days I had Andy and Liz Brewer Columbus, Ohio out. Artificial bait was the choice and plastics accounted for over 50 bass in the two days making their way to the boat.

Andy managed the first fish that weighed in at 5-pounds.

Liz quickly followed with the big fish of the day and their trip which weighed in at 8-pounds.

Biggest fish of the trip, but not what we were looking for: 10-pound mudfish.

Both caught their biggest fish ever, however unfortunately one didn't make it to the boat that would have been a trophy. Lily pads interfered and came to the bass's rescue.

Scott had Reid and Pierce Ofseur from Port Orange, Florida out and they plyed live bait on the Farm. 7-dozen were gone before day's end with quite a few good size fish to remember.

Pierce Ofseur with one of many grand ladies that made it to the boat. Unfortunately the biggest managed to outsmart the anglers as wood came to its rescue.

Bob Eisenhauer and crew from Florida's Fish and Game were out shocking on the Farm in the last week and results were outstanding. According to Bob, big fish and plenty of them turned up in the areas that they shocked. Bob is the head biologist for the Stick Marsh/Farm 13 for the Fish and Game. I spent an hour chatting with Bob on the phone this morning and he reports that the shocking results were as good as they have ever been. Lots of the ladies shocked up were egged up and if the conditions are right with the upcoming full moon he is expecting quite a good spawn result.

Contrary to reports being put out by some, the Marsh/Farm is in good condition. However, if weather is against you, or you don't have adequate knowledge of the area, the lake can and will get you. Historically, the fish are going to do this spawn on the Farm side. It is no different this year except you don't have hydrilla to lead you to the area you need to be in. However, it wasn't the hydrilla that they were holding to, but rather the wood that was under all that weed. If it is windy the water will not only be stained but also muddy. Look for areas of cleaner water. They are there, you just have to find them.

If you know the lake I think 2006 is shaping up to be an outstanding year. If you don't know the lake I would suggest you get a guide for a day of show and tell.

See you out there.

Submitted by George & Scott 12/15/05

The culmination of all your planning for a fishing adventure hopefully ends with good weather, calm winds, and bass that not only are willing to cooperate, but are willing to do so with gusto. You have done all that you can on your end. You did your research on the lake that you are going to, the guide that you are going to use, and you have all the recommended bait and tackle that the guide has recommended.

The above could be no more true than it was for Bill Topping and Jim Fry as they loaded the car and headed south from their home in Somerville, SC. Last minute calls to check again on equipment needed were made and the ensuing trip to sunny Florida was underway.

Once here they called and we discussed the bait choice based on weather forecasts. Of course, needless to say, the weather threw us a curve ball as an early cold front sailed into the Stick Marsh region with winds forecasted to blow to upwards of 25 MPH. Live bait and the protected area of the spillway were definitely called for as the lake would present a roller coaster fishing situation out in the open.

Scott met Bill and Jim at Stick Marsh Bait and Tackle at 6:15, and with shiners in hand off they went for the ramp. Departing as the dawn glowed in the eastern sky made for a brisk ride to the spillway. Carolina rigged shiners produced bass, pickerel, and catfish.

The cold didn't hamper the bite terribly and it sure didn't happen Jim's enthusiasm as he hauled this lunker to the boat for a quick picture and then release.

The speed that these fronts move through Florida can be quite amazing, but this one wasn't going anywhere quickly. At meeting time the following morning the temperatures were a bit cooler, (41 at 7:00), and the wind a bit stronger. However, this did nothing to dampen the spirits as Bill and Jim looked forward to their second day of challenging the bass of the Stick Marsh. A different spot, but still in the spillway produced several bragging fish for both.

Although the guys were hoping to be throwing traps and worms, the weather called for the move to live bait and as you can see the decision was definitely the right call.

A couple of days before Bill and Jim arrived Scott and I did a bit of searching. Using traps and plastics we combed several areas for the SW of the Farm to the middle south area. With four hours of fishing we were able to come up with a measly, miserly, pitiful 4 bass. However, we did manage one nice one.

If you look at this gal's belly it is obvious the physical situation she is in. The spawn is eminent, and the big gals are going to be biting. Our trip was made after two days of high winds accompanied by a cold front so the bite was as expected. If you are going with artificial bait, the south end of the Farm is the place, and more than likely the traps, plastics, hard jerk baits, and spinner baits are what you should be throwing.

See you out there.

Submitted by George

What we don't have: Snow, temperatures that are freezing, ice on the lake; none of these are in the forecast - I promise.

What we do have: black water, sunshine, bass that don't know braid from mono, or any other line that you can think of. The potential for your next cast to bring home a bass in excess of 10-pounds. Beaches for your family to enjoy while you enjoy the best bass fishing in the US.

For the next couple of days the wind is going to blow as a cold front moves through, but temperatures are going to be in the mid to upper 70's. The forecast calls for a chance of rain, but in Florida that is a daily forecast.

On the lake conditions ripen for the upcoming spawn and based on forecasted weather this has a good chance of occurring over the next few weeks. Once recovered the gals will be fattening up and egging up for our spring spawn. This spring spawn depends on when the December spawn occurs and can happen anytime from the beginning of March to the end of April.

We are already seeing activity on the south end of Farm 13 with the bucks in the areas common to bedding activity and the ladies starting to stage in the deeper areas. Yesterday's foray was similar to the others over the last couple of weeks with fish on the inside to 4 pounds and fish on the outside from 5-8 pounds. A half day of fast moving checking of several areas netted an easy 18 fish. If we had stopped to fish the areas of noted fish those numbers would have been a lot higher, but our objective is to find places to take clients, not fish the area out.

Stick Marsh/Farm 13 is 6700 acres. The fish are big and plentiful. If it gets real windy we have a couple of excellent back-up lakes that offer protection. The lake out produces any other lake or body of water in Florida. Leave the boots at home, bring the baits and the rods & reels, but be sure to spool up with 20# line because these gals will try to rip the rod out of your hands. Don't forget the camera because the bass are going to give you a story to tell and memories for years to come.

Want to come as a group? We have two boats that handle up to 6. No one does as many trips on the lake as Scott and I do, and no one fishes it more often. Looking for a way to spend a couple of great days? Come on down! The next big one could be yours!