Stick Marsh & Farm 13

Over the last week we have experienced considerable changes in weather, water flow, and cooperating bass. The fishing has been good but the banner days that we experienced over the last few weeks has definitely slowed down. What we have found in the spillway area as they raised and lowered the gate on an almost daily basis was the fishing was good in the early AM and then again later in the day. One of the changes in the spillway was the result of a large backhoe removing all the vegetation from the shorelines both in the spillway area inside the cable, and down the west side outside of the spillway. Much of the cover that a lot of bass were hiding under has been removed, but it did not chase the bass away except while the machine was working. Jeff Goins from West Virginia and his father spent a couple of days with me and both days we found fish willing to bite the baits presented. One of the techniques that Jeff used was the drop shot and with the reduced current it proved the ticket to several bites and bass in the boat. In addition Carolina rigs, chug bugs, and soft jerk baits worked in this area. As we moved out into the Farm we found bass using spinner baits in addition to T-rigs, soft jerk baits, and weightless Senkos. There were bass in the SE area of the Farm, along the eastern N/S irrigation ditch, and at the pump house. Neither day produced a huge bass but they did manage to catch some in the 4 to 6 pound range. Jeff's father lost a big one inside of the cable but without getting it in the boat makes the size anyone's guess. Over the last week the Senko has proven to be our best bait, producing when all else fails. It accounted for catches from 25 to 40 bass per day and it produced rigged Texas style, Carolina style, and weightless. One of the things that we found on yesterdays foray was several 3-5 pound bass on the north end of the center N/S ditch. Carolina rigs worked best but we also got a couple with the chrome/blue rattletrap. There has been some shad busting taking place in the SW of the Marsh but it has been sporadic and the bass in the area have been small. We tried the SW area of the Farm and really didn't find much although sporadic pickings of small bass were there. The south end of the center N/S ditch seems to have cooled and the bass caught in that area were also small. The pump house is working well if the current is clearly visible but if it is not strong the bite is very sporadic and the fish have been on the smaller size. The front cut into the Marsh has had little to no current although the exit gate is still clear of water. There is simply too much water north of us for the water in the Marsh/Farm to flow out. The most prevalent question that I get in e-mails and from clients is, "What is the history of the Marsh/Farm? When did they first develop it? When did they stock it? When was it opened to the public for fishing?" The following is a response to these questions directly from St. John's Water Management. Steven J. Miller [[email protected]] Thu 9/11/2003 9:47 AM The Stick Marsh was first flooded in 1987 however water levels did not exceed 3 feet until 1988. At this time the area was contained entirely by remnant farm levees and inflow to the area occurred only from rainfall and runoff from Fellsmere Farms. In April-May 1990, construction of the northernmost levee and Structure S-96B was completed. S-96B allows discharge from the Stick Marsh to occur to the the north. (My add - Exit gate in the NW corner) Prior to completion of this structure discharge had occurred through a privately owned culvert structure. In Aug 1993 the levee that borders the east side of the Stick Marsh was completed along with Structure S-96D. S-96D allows for discharge into the Stick Marsh from the Blue Cypress Water Management Area. (My add - Spillway in the SE Corner of the Farm) In 1988 the FGFWC (My add - FGFWC = Fish & Game Fresh Water Commission) stocked the Stick Marsh with 20,000 largemouth bass and 50,000 bluegill-redear sunfish. This stocking simply supplemented an existing fish population which was already present in the internal canal system that was flooded. To protect over harvest of the largemouth bass the FGFWC implemented a "no harvest" regulation in Jan 1990.   I hope this answers all your questions. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can provide any further information. Highlighted areas are my additions to the response and are for explanatory purposes. In addition to the above mentioned fish I have been told that they did put in some sunshine bass, (cross between white bass and striper), and I have in the past in fact caught some. They also put in some redfish of which I know of none caught. However, to my knowledge they are none of either in the Marsh/Farm at this time. We have a crappie, (specs) population that is phenomenal, lots of catfish, some chain pickerel, some mudfish, some gar, and a odd duck fish called a needle fish. The lake abounds in wildlife, from numerous species of birds, several different types of turtles, several different types of cats, otters, and of course a very healthy population of gators. The marshes that surround here also play host to many different species and we occasionally see deer, wild hogs, and different types of snakes. All in all, we not only have a fantastic fishery, but we have a living zoo in which we play. See you on the water. Say hi if you get the chance.