Stick Marsh & Farm 13

Plastics and spinner baits have ruled with the artificial bite, and the Farm side has ruled for the most bites. The spawn is in full swing and hopefully we have seen the last of the serious cold fronts. With the weather being as inconsistent as it can get shiners have been the overall winning bait and not only quantity but quality has been caught in the spillway area. Other areas bear watching however as the bass are showing up strong in other historical locations such as the south end of the Farm. Shock results have been outstanding and have been done over the last week or so. Large fish and large amounts of fish have been found by Bob Eisenhauer and crew, (FWC Biologists), along the ditches, in the NE area of the Farm, all across the south end, and down the west wall. Look for plastics to be the best artificial bait in all these areas. There have been some minor shad busts occurring in the area of the pump house and it is something to always have a eye out for. Being in the right place at the right time can mean a major bonanza of catching. Rattle traps and spinner baits have been the best producer in this situation with some reluctant winners on the top. Buzz baits have led the way as the top water bait so far but Chug Bugs and such should take over soon. As we slide into the end of the month and particularly as April arrives I would be looking for more and more of this kind of bite.   We finished up our 24th trip out there yesterday and to date the fishing has been pretty darn good with few exceptions. There have been a few days where wind and rain and cold front has shut the artificial bite a bit, but the shiners have stayed strong through it all. I spent one day on Garcia with Rick and Bob Taylor and our second fish of the day was the big one for the day weighing in at 6.5 pounds. Scattered pads and other grasses proved to be the best areas. Jeff and Jack Jacobs made another trip and brought their dad. Fishing shiners in the spillway made for a fantastic three days fo fishing with many big fish caught. Ron Fodor and Gordon Keiser had the same kind of trip with Ron winning out with another over 10 pound bass. Dave and Gina Fletcher came for another return bout and Gina walked away with top honor for the day with another Marsh giant. Bruno Bogdewic and sons came for another trip with us and added more lunkers to already previous successful trips. Watch for the shad busts! With April just around the corner they will get more and more. April is always a good month with the big gals chowing down after the spawn. The shad get active feeding on the plankton and the bass go crazy close to the surface feeding on them. It's Chug Bug time extreme. Here's a good read on what you can expect in April on the Marsh: http://www.imaginationbassin.com/Bassdozer.htm See you out there. Say hi if you have the opportunity. George and Scott