Water levels at Stick Marsh and Farm 13 are just fine. The artificial bite is excellent. The shiner bite is very good.
The water level is lower than the folks who fish here in the winter are used to. The water level in the winter (Dec-March) is a high water level. Water is saved from the summer rains that causes the high water levels. This time of year (April) the water level is gradually dropped through May in plans for summer rains. The water level at this time is higher than when the lakes first opened in September of 1991.
Both levies of the canal that separates Stick Marsh and Farm 13 were out of the water when the lakes were opened. We used to hide behind the Northern most levy of the canal that separates the two lakes to avoid a thunderstorm coming from the North.
When the lakes first opened there was some hydrilla - not a bunch. Most of the fishing for bass was done in the areas without hydrilla. We fished the wood to catch bass. There was one area of Kissimmee Grass that was famous for a Buzzbait bite. There were lots of areas of floating vegetation that locked onto trees and made great mats for live bait fishing. The groups of cat tails also were good areas.
The wind muddies the water. The wind makes the fishing difficult. It does not stop the bite. The fishing is easier away from the wind.
The bass can be caught in Stick Marsh and in Farm 13 with a variety of artificial lures. What ever the lure a slow presentation is the key. Texas rigged soft plastics all the way up to 10 inches in length have produced. Spinnerbaits have produced. There is a top water bite trying to start. You can catch them on a top water a small portion of each day. Let the water drop just a bit more and the water warm a bit more and the top water bite will be awesome. All of which looks like it is going to happen.
It is Post Spawn and the bass are scattered. The bass are in groups, but, the groups cover a bunch of water. In other words; there is distance between the fish. They are not stacked like cord wood. They can be found in the same area. Trolling or drifting live bait works. Just deal with trees that stop the boat. Or, anchor, fish some, move a little and repeat.
Running across Stick Marsh is a No! No! Unless, of course, you want to collect insurance.
Every time I go to the ramp I hear about folks catching seven and eight pound bass. Catching that sized bass is common. And that seems to be what most of my clients end up with as a large bass of the day. There have been several trips with ten pounders. There are lots of large bass in Stick Marsh and Farm 13. I also hear about the big one that got away next to the boat. With equipment geared for Stick Marsh the task of getting the big one to the boat is more readily accomplished.
Give Hugh Crumpler a call 321-722-3134 or drop Hugh Crumpler an e-mail Hugh@HughCrumpler.Com and YOU could be next!
