Bass catching at Stick Marsh and Farm 13 has been difficult. The bass are there and there are more than ever and larger than ever. The lack of vegetation growing in the water causes the water not to clear up quickly after a good wind. With the bass near the beds (on the bottom) the bass will not come up to the surface and hit live bait. The bass do not see the live bait as a threat to the bed with the water murky. When anglers do get a bite the bass are worth the wait. However, due to conditions under the water (know as trees) the bass become difficult to hook and get into the boat. It can be done. It just doesn't happen without practice. There just aren't enough bites for the short trip angler to get a handle on the skills required to hook and land the bass. This is understandable considering most anglers don't expect bass this big. Most anglers don't expect the mass of trees under water. And as a result of the first two most anglers are in a big hurry to get they hook into the boat.
With March's arrival we should see less wind. I can't remember a month like this past February with so many days of constant winds in the 20 mph plus range. As March progresses the fishing should improve greatly. Another aspect of March's arrival is a warming of the water. At this time the water is six to seven degrees warmer in Garcia than in Stick Marsh.
Garcia has been producing numbers of bass. The bass are smaller - both in length and girth at Garcia. The important thing for anglers is that they are much easier to catch. Clearer water, warmer water and wind blocks on the lake combined with a low water level have caused the bass in Garcia to be easy to catch. Not to say you can't catch a nice bass at Garcia. Just to say that when you catch one at Stick Marsh and Farm 13 it's a lot larger. If Stick Mash did not exist I would have no problems fishing at Garcia.
Based on reports from friends of mine who are serious fishermen the fishing is better at Garcia than most lakes in Florida. Yes, Okeechobee, Kissimmee Chain, Butler Chain, Harris Chain, St. John's River, Toho, Walk-In-Water, and others are included in the list that Garcia is better than.
I fish for bass and only bass. I do no saltwater fishing. I fish for no panfish. Any other fish that my clients or I catch than a bass is an accident. I fish for bass when it's tough and when it's easy. My philosophy is that I am focused 100 percent on bass. That way I am able to produce best for my clients. As for trips, my philosophy is pretty simple. A client books a fishing trip. That client has made an effort in time, money, and determination to fish on a particular date. It's not my place to tell him I might get cold or my hair get blown so I think he should replan his trip. I am not going to tell the client that we might get wet or the fishing might be a little tough. My attitude is so what - we can still go out and do a pretty good job. At Stick Marsh and Farm 13 ANY bite could easily be the largest bass a client ever caught. And I am going to try to get them that bite and many more.
A little bit deeper into this is that I always my client what they want. How I plan to attack the bass depends on what they want. The answers vary but most of them fall into a group of wishes: lots of bass: one large bass; bass on artificials; a good time; Based on the wishes of a particular client I make recommendations as to which lake and how we should try to catch the bass. My recommendations are based on what the bass are doing and the weather prediction. By always fishing for bass and being 100 percent focused on bass I believe that I am in the best possible position to make recommendations and produce.
If a client wants to catch crappie I know three real good crappie producing guides. I would rather know them than be one. No offense - it's just my philosophy. I used to fish for any thing bit and was pretty good at catching a bunch of fishes. Now, I feel confident that I am excellent at bass and not so hot at others - and I prefer it that way. To continue this I don't feel as though I know every thing about bass and I am constantly trying to learn more.
There are some nice photos of recent catches. Garcia had the number of bass produced per angler per hour and Stick Marsh & Farm 13 had the larger bass. Give Hugh Crumpler a call 321-722-3134 or drop Hugh an e-mail Hugh@HughCrumpler.Com and YOU could be next.
