Stick Marsh & Farm 13

Submitted by George, Imagination Bassin Guide Services Date Fished: 10/15/03 Water Temperature: 80 Water Clarity: 2-3 feet We have been out on the lake 4 out of the last 6 days on 1/2 day ventures and have the found fish in the same area again and again. The one twist to that is the fish have been moving slowly and steadily to the west away from the west N/S ditch. When we first starting working this group of fish in the south end of the Farm we found the majority just west of the ditch and the hydrilla on the south end was a clearly defined mat. Over the last couple of weeks the mat has become broken and is dropping back, and the areas that were wide open have hydrilla growing quickly. Getting further back into the areas that were matted is producing fish and good sized ones also. Our last trip was yesterday and although brief we managed to get 13 fish before pulling out. All but two came on soft jerk baits and most fish are coming right up through the heavier areas of hydrilla. Our most productive color has been watermelon and the plastic a 7X Yamamoto cut-tail. We have found this to produce better than the standard flukes and split tail shad. Each of our previous trips have had catches in the 25 plus range which for a half day isn't terrible. Dick Hulcher and friend are down from Jacksonville and when I talked with him at the gas station this morning he informed me that they caught more than 25 in the area that we had been fishing. Unfortunately he also told me about a monster bass that broke him off in the heavy hydrilla. They are out there today so perhaps they will get her today. Upcoming weather: we have our first major front coming in this week and it should drop the water temperatures. The last mini front which was last week brought them down but they came right back up with the heat this week. I would anticipate that this front should get these bass up and feeding with the cooler temperatures as they prepare for the upcoming spawn. See you out there. Say hi if you get the chance.