Stick Marsh/Farm 13

[Lobster Monster]

I've never fished this, but Im going in the spring.  Have any of you guys ever fished this and have any tips or suggestions?  Is it as amazing as I've heard?  My uncle and I plan on using shiners, but what else really works here?

[Bassn Blvd]

If you've never been then I suggest you hire a guide.  Shiners are not needed but each their own.

[5bass]

[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] five.bass.limit.

[Steve P.]

Yes, I've fished it before. Was out there today. Our best fish was 6# even.

Yes, it can boggle the mind IF you are there when conditions are right AND you know where to fish. It's not simply a matter of picking a random spot and casting. A lot of people think that and end up going home very disappointed. Local knowledge rules here just like any other Fl lake.

You don't need shiners. Swim Senko type baits, Senkos, Jerkbaits, Traps, Spinnerbaits, 10 inch worms, and CHUG BUGS if you're lucky.

I can not emphasize enough the importance of watching the wind speed/direction the week before your trip. In Springtime, a good portion of the fishing will center around the wooded area in the South end of Farm 13.

With that being said, any wind from a N. NW, or NE direction over 15 mph will dirty the water you want to fish. If you're coming down and it isn't calm for at least 3 days prior to your trip, forget it. Watch the weather and reschedule when winds cooperate.

If you value your boat and it's lower unit, hire a guide. Larry Hauser is the best guide out there by far. No one can match his catches on this body of water. Saturday he had 15 fish over 5#s. Here's his site.......

http://fishinbigbass.com/

[avid]

The stickmarsh has fabulous fishing but it can be very very tough.   The first 5 times I went there I caught nothing.  That's right.....ZERO.

Since hooking up with SteveP a few years ago my fortunes have improved considerably.  We have had days where we caught over 40 fish each.  My Personal best of 8 lbs came from here.  I have been in the boat on three occassions where double digits were landed.  There have been some slow days, but only once in three years have I been skunked.

I have never fished shiners at Stickmarsh, but have seen others out there doing it with mixed results.

The ratLtrap is the number 1 bait out there as far as I can see.  No matter what else someone may throw EVERYONE has a ratLtrap rigged up.  Swim senko's are another reliable bait, that I have caught alot of fish on.  Then popping plugs.  The water is pretty shallow say 4-5' so tossing an unweighted senko can always be productive.

I have never fished with Larry, but I have seen him out there many times.  He is friendly and will always share what he knows.

Good luck and have fun.

avid

[roadwarrior]

George Welcome regularly provides us with Stick Marsh/ Farm13

fishing reports. His website will give you some ideas on what to

bring and what to expect. If I were going, I would be fishing with

George.

http://www.imaginationbassin.com/

8-)

[SoFl-native]

I've never fished this, but Im going in the spring. Have any of you guys ever fished this and have any tips or suggestions? Is it as amazing as I've heard? My uncle and I plan on using shiners, but what else really works here?

Go with a guide on day 1. Then try on your own after that. That is my advice.

[Steve P.]

Avid, why did you have to remind me of our skunk day? It hurts man, it just hurts! :'( ;D

I'm buying Roadwarrior a set of cheerleader pom poms!

[avid]

Avid, why did you have to remind me of our skunk day? It hurts man, it just hurts! :'( ;D

sorry man, gotta tell the truth y'know

[CFFF 1.5]

I agree that the marsh is a very difficult place to fish if you don't what you are doing or where to go. If you do decide to go it alone be very careful and always wear your PFD. The first time I went we didn't land a single bass in the 3 days we fished. We had a few hooked but didn't land any. Of course this was before the hurricanes of 2004 took out all the vegetation. The next two trips I made down there shiners were the bait of choice and we were catching around 30 fish per day with many more misses. Our best of the 3 day trip was 10lbs. We got lucky and found a spot out in the middle with two seperate bullrush piles and the fish were stacked up on these.

[Muddy]

Check your PM's George Welcome is the way to go. I have never fished with him, he has been a source of good info, in general for me.

 A couple of guys, from another local board were traveling form Conn. to Stick Marsh and asked if I knew anyone who guided, since I know George, I recommended him and they took him for a guide

They had a wonderful and successful time, they wrote and thanked me, like I know all that much

George wrote and thanked me, Seemed pretty good for all and so I continue to recommend him.