Submitted 2/21/08 by George

Bob Alton of Ft Pierce, Fl and I departed the ramp this AM and headed south on a quest for a big bass. Bob wanted to learn more about the lake, some about techniques, and catch fish in the bargain. His desires were filled as we worked SwimSenkos

The first chore was to find the fish: The deep south end was a good choice as long as the wind was down. The wind was predicted to blow 15-20 knots so we wasted no time getting to the fish.

The second chore was to find the best technique: SwimSenkos in dark colors proved to be the best with the conditions at hand.

The third chore was to put the fish in the boat and we were quite successful with that one. However I have to admit that just a few were missed.

As the morning wore on the wind arrived, which it did very quickly so it was necessary to move to the outside area a bit so as to not damage equipment or get thrown into the water. We now rigged the SwimSenkos with a small weight and slowly worked them back to the boat. This technique worked very well for the rest of the day.

On a cast, Bob's big fish was on as soon as it hit the water. The SwimSenko did its work again and with Bob's good handling this gal made it to the boat for pictures and weighing on the Boga Grip.

Now I don't care whose book it is, that's a nice fish right there.

As you can see by the wave action, the wind was chugging pretty good, but that didn't stop Bob or the magic of the SwimSenko.

We got off the water just before a light rain shower moved in and headed down the dirt road for home. See you out there. Say hi if you get the chance.

 

Submitted 2/20/08 by George

Scott Phillips from Erwin, Tennessee arrived on the 14th with friends Ron & Mary for two days of sampling the waters of Stick Marsh/Farm 13. With Senkos, SwimSenkos, and rattle traps in hand Scott and his friends hope to see some of the big fish that Scott had seen on a previous visit. Lots of bass and plenty of good quality landed in the boat, however that elusive big gal just never showed her face. Working deep in the south end of the Farm, using the bump-a-stump technique, proved to be the ticket.

Dan Mitchell and his sons Clay and Conner of Franklin, Tennessee were next up, arriving on the 16th in hopes of catching a memory. Again as with the previous trip lots of bass, but no big ones. There out there, and just a cast away, but no one had the lucky cast. As with the previous trip, the bass were in the stumps and brush and Senkos were able to lure them out. Lots of fish, but again no big ladies to account for.

Next up were Terry Collins, his father John, and friend Cricket. Arriving bright and early on the 17th, all the way for Tullahoma, Tennessee, these guys promised to be a hoot from moment one. As they tumbled out of their vehicles they were already sounding off as to who was best, and who would get the big fish. With predictions of wind for the day they opted to try out some of Florida's finest golden shiners, and there option proved to be very good. The day started out with a bang as the first hit came within the first few minutes of setting up. This was followed by another 20 in the next hour or so and then as if a switch had been thrown, with the wind rising, the bite quit. With the wind blowing pretty hard out of the SE we starting drifting the south end of the Farm and managed a few more bites of the rest of the morning. As early afternoon rolled in we moved westward and started drifting fresh water.

The first big fish simply made John's float disappear. No fanfare, no splash, the float just quietly went out of sight and the fight was on. There was no question that John had a grand old dame on as she peeled line. There was no turning this gal until she was ready, and then it was still hang on as she tore out in a big arc to the right. John never got overly excited as he worked this monster to the boat, giving his his reward of one jumbo Stick Marsh/Farm 13 lady.

 

It wasn't but a short time later that Terry's bait was smashed and another real good fish came on board.

Monday the 18th was cleanup and boat repair time and with my friend Don Willis pitching in we patched a minor bit of damage on the bottom of the boat.

Yesterday, arriving out of the wintry cold of Chugiak, Alaska was Dennis Harns and his wife Cheryl who came out for a 1/2 day of fishing. Perhaps some of you have met these fine folks before at their fishing lodge up there. Dennis and his wife have run Alaska Trophy Safaris for the last 40 years and are well know for providing just super trips for Salmon and Trout in the cool waters of the north. We launched and headed south but were quickly chased out of the south end by 25+ knot winds. Heading to the north end canal of the Marsh produced the only two fish caught for the morning: one bass, and one cat. Both took a Senko. There were a few very light bites missed but we dismissed them as small bass.

As you can see, the bulk of the fish are coming from the south end of the Farm, and Senkos laid in next to a stump will get you a bass. We are rigging Texas rigged, and dark colors, (any dark colors) are working well.

See you out there.

Submitted 2/13/08 by George

I am extremely sad for the loss of my fishing companion and partner, but happy for his new endeavors and achievements. I have to announce that Scott has moved on to bigger and better things what with his family growing and the responsibilities that come with that. I will certainly miss him working with me. He will however on occasion fill in here and there. For the hundreds that have fished with him, he thanks you for great times on the Marsh.

February has shown us that the health of the Marsh is in good shape as the bass came out of their summer/early winter haunts and moved into the bedding areas. Both numbers and size of the bass have been really good and my clients have left with smiles on their faces.

Ken Klasmeier of Pasadena, Maryland, and friend Ed Balinsky were out with me on the 2nd and had a very good day with a total to the boat of 63 bass. A combination of Senkos and SwimSenkos were the producing baits and the key was the dense wood at the south end of Farm 13.

Bob Tymon of Bridgewater, Connecticut, and his friend Ed Rosa were out with me on the 3rd spent the first of the four day trip with me on the Indian River looking for some of those salt water critters. An extremely low high tide and lack of flow on the outgoing tide made for a difficult day.

Ray Waltz of Limerick, Pennsylvania, and his friend Todd Fulmer spent the 4th and managed to catch bass in and around the south end wood, using a combination of Senkos and SwimSenkos. As with every trip so far this month the fish were deep in the south end and tight to the wood. If you could bump-a-stump you were pretty much assured success.

Bob Tymon and Ed Rosa rejoined me on the 5th, 6th, and 7th and proceeded to put a whooping on the bass with well controlled casts,  the correct presentation, and very importantly the bait that was hot. SwimSenkos produced bass after bass and Bob and Ed left with a 3 day total of bass to boat of 209.

Saturday the 9th found me on the water with my favorite fishing partner Scott for a 1/2 day foray. Fishing deep in the wood of the south end produced a good number of bass with the bump-a-stump technique, and to finish out the morning we went north to check out the back lot. Our big fish for the day came off a lone stick and was caught by Scott.

Yesterday Pat Riley and Ed Bailey arrived for a 1/2 day trip which turned out to  be a good call as the weather worsened as the wind moved in and  the sky clouded over. The highlight for the morning was an 8-pound lady that came as the second fish for the day. Ed handled the rod brilliantly and in short order we got the picture, weighed her, and returned her to her watery depths for the next angler to find.

It appears that things should continue in this direction so if your looking for some excitement give us a holler. I do have a few days open this month and a few in March. April, one of our hottest months with the strong possibility of top water action has quite a few days open, but the calls are coming in now. Give me a call - you will glad you did.

See you on the water.