Monday, 11/27,2006: Thirty six bass to 4 pounds out of the south central area of Farm 13. Rattle traps were the bait that the bass preferred and with the wind not too much else was workable.
Tuesday, 11/28/2006: Forty three bass to 3 pounds our of the north central areas of Ansin/Garcia. Spinner baits were the bait that proved most successful, and again wind and weed levels dictated the bait.
Wednesday, 11/29/2006: Took a trip to Orlando BPS to get a transducer for bow unit. I ended up buying a new unit, some hooks, and wandering around looking at inflated prices on most gear. No fish caught, but at least it was dry in the store. Don Willis kept me company on the 5 hour trek.
Thursday, 11/30/2006: With the new bow unit replaced, and a trolling motor change out, I thought it would be prudent to check the equipment out before my next trip. Early morning rain gave me a late start. Called Don who was willing to venture forth, so it was off to Garcia, (saving me the trip down the muddy dirt road). With all equipment functioning properly, and wind sock deployed, we went to work with a combination of jerk bait, spinner bait, and Senkos. Jerk bait and Senko did the producing for our short trip. Six bass in all with the biggest @ 2 pounds. A mid morning rain chased us to the ramp and ended the equipment test run.
Weather still is the bane of our fishing existence, with both wind and rain punishing us as we chase our elusive quarry. The good thing is there is no such thing as too much wind as we do have the backup lake of Ansin/Garcia. Not near as many big fish come from Garcia, but when the wind gets up into the 20's it is still fishable. With its grass lines there is a good deal of wind protection on Garcia, and with the season coming into full swing the heavy overbearing hydrilla has dropped back giving a lot more areas of possibility to fish.
However, my first love is the Stick Marsh, and as many have witnessed with personal experience, it is the lake of big fish and phenomenal catches. The south end of the lake has been showing an increase in bass as this is one of the primary areas for upcoming spawns. Each year the trek southward is soundly predictable and if you get to the right area the bass are plentiful and big.
Presently the bass are showing up at the outside wood with some small bucks inside surveying future nesting sites.