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NOW'S THE TIME FOR THE GIANT STICK MARSH BASS!!!
 Spawning activity is going strong and the giant Stick Marsh bass are at their heaviest weights of the year! Full of roe and associated body fluids, up to two (2) extra pounds can be expected for the 8 lb. and larger females. Of course, not every angler is going to catch one of the giants of the Marsh. But, the percentages are better at the Stick Marsh simply because there are so MANY super big bass in its waters.
The beautiful fish held by Irwin Chu was taken from five (5) of water on a shiner just before Xmas. Jim guided the Chu family to a prime spawning area adjacent to a shallow grass line and stump field for this giant. This bass was nearly as large in girth as she was in length. She was a perfect example of what we call a 'football' bass -- one that grows so fast in the fertile Stick Marsh waters that their length growth fails to keep up with the body mass growth.
On 6 January, coincident with the passage of a major cold front, Jim landed the 11-lb. 1 oz. monster bass shown here. Fishing alone while looking for new guide trip spots, Jim 'lucked' into the huge sow in two (2) feet of water in what would appear to be a great spawning zone. Due to water clarity and bottom coloration, beds cannot generally be seen, but the zone has all the necessary attributes. She took a slowly fished Junebug Yum Dinger soft jerk bait, worked right at the surface. In that two feet of water gave the big girl no place to go, you can only imagine the turbulence, flying water and mad action she produced. In trying to get the camera's timer to work properly, Jim wound up with a few shots that were not expected (defined as 'the timer didn't function and the camera shot when the button was pushed'). One of these muffed shots, also shown here, actually shows the pure mass of the giant bass better than the holdup photo.
So, if you are looking for 'that one big bass' of a lifetime, now is a great time to give it a shot. From now until mid-February is peak spawning time. You cannot effectively sight fish, so concentrate your efforts on shallow water with grass and wood. Work a soft plastic lure slowwwwly. You never know when that big bass will just 'be there'. You don't need a guide, if you have your own boat. Just work the south end of the Farm 13 side and the west side of the entire impoundment. You certainly DON'T want a guide who fishes in front of you. Guess who gets his lure in front of her first and will probably get that big sow?!
If you just want to catch lots of bass, rather than just try for a giant, stay in 5-7 feet of water with submerged grass. Work the soft jerk bait or a spinnerbait. There are a lot of good 2-6 pound fish in the south end of the Farm, on either side of the center north/south ditch.
If we can help with guide service, or just information and questions, please contact Jim at jporter@stickmarsh.com, or 321-951-7841.
Today's Weather for
the Stick Marsh Area
Past Fishing Reports
Farm 13/Stick Marsh Information Guide
Email questions to jporter@jimporter.org.
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