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ABOUT THE FARM 13/STICK
MARSH
Created in 1987, central
Florida's Stick Marsh/Farm 13 Reservoir is synonymous with trophy bass and
other fishing. This approximately 6700-acre reservoir (3000 in the Stick
Marsh and 3700 in the Farm 13 portion), near Fellsmere and
Palm Bay,
Florida,
has been the hottest bass lake in the country during the past decade. Early
in its life, it was heavily stocked with fish, both bass and crappie. In a
test, some 5000 saltwater Redfish were also introduced. Although unable to
spawn in freshwater, the original Redfish population has given up some
catches. Jim Porter took a 12 pounder in 1995. Since its opening in early
1990, the Farm 13/Stick Marsh complex has proven phenomenal, to say the
least.
Possibly the best bass and crappie angling in the World exists there. At the
invitation of the Fla. Game and Freshwater Fish Commission and their Farm 13
Program Manager at the time, fishery biologist Fred Cross, Jim Porter was
the first 'civilian' to fish the complex. His job was to "evaluate the
fishery from a professional fisherman and writer's perspective". Needless to
say, his findings were remarkable!! 10 Crappie at 2.6 pounds; bass in the
15-18 pound range; Sunshine Bass to 10 pounds; Bluegills and Shellcrackers
averaging OVER a pound -- a fantastic fishery of World-class proportions.
ST.
JOHNS RIVER--FLORIDA'S BASS FACTORY
by Jim Porter
(This is Part 1 of the St.
Johns River trilogy)
(Author’s Note: This is
Part 1 of a 3-part trilogy on
Florida’s
famous St. Johns River. Parts 2 will address the major deterioration problem
of the upper headwaters area and the restoration project underway to save
it. Part 3 will then address a major by-product of that restoration project
- the fabulous Farm 13/Stick Marsh fishing impoundment. Stay tuned - same
bass-time, same bass-channel!!)
In the world of bass
angling, there is a name synonymous with the great expectations of trophy
Largemouth's at the end of taunt, singing lines and straining rod tips. It
has been immortalized in song and written word, and many have been the
stories of it told around crackling campfires in the dark, cool of the
night. It is a 'living' legend and probably the most famous bassin' water in
the World--the fabled St. Johns River of Florida.
Lying in the North-Eastern
quadrant of the Sunshine
State
and stretching nearly one-half its length, the St. Johns River is the
longed-for 'Mecca' of bass fishermen everywhere. The fact that, year
after year, it continuously produces such excellent angling results, has led
many to deem it 'Florida's
Bass Factory'. And well the name fits! It is one of those rare bodies of
water that produces both quantity and quality, along with never-ending
expanses of breath-taking beauty.
The 300+ miles of the St.
Johns River are a study in diversity and fishing options. Whatever type of
fishing water the angler desires can readily be found along its meandering
course. And, as with any celebrity, this famous river has a character and
series of personal traits all its own.
To start with, the St.
Johns flows from South to North, a bit of an oddity in itself. Its
headwaters, just to the South of the city of Melbourne, begin with the
convergence of three canals which drain surrounding farm land. Before the
canals were constructed, the natural drainage of that same large marsh area
marked its beginning. From this point, which is slightly less than 20 feet
above sea level, it starts its sluggish flow to the Atlantic Ocean at
Jacksonville. The first quarter of the St. Johns, up to Lake Harney, is
dependent upon rainfall for its flow, with a small bit of assistance from a
few springs and some natural water table seepage. In times of drought or
reduced periods of rainfall, this part of the river often goes nearly dry
(usually between March and June). This upper portion of the river (remember,
South to North!) is characterized by a lack of defined banks and boundaries,
thick aquatic growth and seemingly endless marshland. Between
Lake
Poinsett,
due West of Cocoa, and Lake Harney, the term 'marshland' gets a capital 'M'.
The main trace of the St. Johns is nearly indistinguishable and forms a maze
of drainage arms and sloughs. While the fishing is excellent here, it
presents the readily apparent danger of the angler becoming disoriented and
lost.
This headwaters portion of
the St. Johns offers excellent angling experiences, especially when its waters are
low, but still navigable. Low water levels bring the bass out of the endless
miles of vegetation and to the edges of the main channel and the deeper
holes. Although, comparatively speaking, few real trophy bass (over ten
pounds) come from the section, the sheer numbers of one to three pounders
are often staggering. However, the population will be erratic from year to
year, based on previous periods of severe low water levels and the resulting
interference with the spawn.
From Lake Harney on North
to Lake Monroe, the river starts a major transition. The banks are well
defined and high and the rampant aquatic growth starts to thin dramatically.
And, it is in this stretch of water that we find one of those 'personal
traits' of the St. Johns.
Geological finding show
that this portion of the river, and extending up to just above Lake George,
was once an inland arm of the Atlantic ocean. At some time, eons ago, the
level of the sea dropped and Eastern barrier islands were formed. Through
many thousands of years of rainfall, the waters gradually became
predominately fresh. However, the remaining marine salt deposits in the
ground continue to effect the region to this day. Run-off waters and springs
bring a degree of salinity to the fresh water, creating an area that will
support both fresh and salt water fishes, animals and plant life.
Consequently, American and Hickory Shad, Mullet and Striped Bass inhabit the
waters on a year-round basis, representing permanent breeding populations
rather than migrants from the sea.
An interesting fact found
by Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission biologists is that the fresh
water fish, particularly the usually well-traveled Largemouth bass, do not
migrate from the Northern portions of the river into the Southern sections
past Lake Harney. The salt content seems to form a natural barrier.
Consequently, the headwaters are entirely dependent upon the success of the
spawn to sustain populations.
However, the salinity does
have its positive influences. The stretch of river between Lakes Harney and
Monroe is a principle spawning ground for the tremendous numbers of big
American Shad, which annually make the long journey from the Atlantic. The
months of December through March find hundreds of anglers casting small jigs
and spoons to partake of the harvest.
The portion of the river
from the city of
Astor to the South end of
Lake George is noted for
its excellent Largemouth bass fishing. Bass seem to congregate in this
stretch. The reason, and it seems quite logical, is that this is the least
salty water in the area. The salt-contaminated waters from the Lake Harney
basin become somewhat diluted by the time they reach this point and, as we
will cover in a moment, the waters in Lake George are highly saline. The
mouths of the many small feeder streams, and the points and deep holes in
the bends of the river, are great places to teach a plastic worm and a crank
plug to swim. Areas of lily pads are excellent in the Spring and early
Summer months, especially if grass is also present. Largemouth's readily
spawn and feed in the beds of eel grass which predominate the flats. Look
for that grass and you are almost certain to find the fish. Other good bass
locations are the numerous piers and submerged pilings along the main
channel and the banks, particularly if a good current is flowing. Locate a
good drop-off next to some pilings, toss out a three-inch smoke grub lure
and hold on for great school bass action. This part of the river has also
given up numerous trophies.
Lake George is the widest
and largest lake on the St. Johns River. Approximately 12 miles long and six
wide, it has a very remarkable physical feature--the bottom, averaging about
ten feet deep, is nearly uniform throughout. Lake George also has an
significant salt content, primarily from the large Salt, Silver Glen and
Juniper springs which discharge through massive saline marine deposits.
Additionally, if there are strong, sustained Northerly winds, the incoming
tidal flow from the North can reach the lake. A little-known fact,
attributable to the salinity, is that blue crabs and shrimp can be taken
from Lake George and the three areas of the feeder salt springs.
Lake George provides
excellent Largemouth bass and Brim fishing, particularly along the
vegetation areas of the East shore. Other good places are the mouths of the
spring runs. Crappie fishing is very good and can be exceptional when
drifting the open water areas in mid-Summer. Striped bass, both stocked
hybrids (called Sunshine bass by many) and a few ocean veterans, provide
spectacular angling experiences when they start their surface feeding in
huge schools. Look for the Stripers in the area of the old military practice
bombing range, just to the East of the main channel markers. It is a time of
frayed nerves and tangled rods, to say the least.
Coming out of Lake George
and heading North, the river narrows again for a piece, and then widens into
Little Lake George. The Croaker Hole, a large spring with a significant salt
content, adds its waters here. This is another area that is very good for
numerous types of fish.
Just North of Little
George, another major change occurs. The 125-mile long Oklawaha River, the
largest tributary along the St. Johns, empties a vast amount of pure, fresh
water into the system, significantly diluting the salt content. Flowing out
of man-made Rodman Reservoir, the Oklawaha is a fishing paradise unto
itself. Its mouth, like all moving water areas, calls fish of every type.
The river channel is a beautiful stretch of water that often pleases as much
with scenery as with its fine fishery. Rodman Reservoir is also a premier
bass angling location, but we must save that for another time.
From here, North to the
City of Palatka, the river is narrow again. The banks are high and well
defined, with a number of mid-channel islands. The depth undergoes a major
change in this area, with portions of the main St. Johns channel reaching 35
feet. Some of the creeks, such as Cross and Dunn's, have holes reaching 45
and 50.
Near the mouth of Dunn's
Creek, we find the
Seven
Sisters
Island
area. For my money, this, and the nearby
Turkey
Island,
holds some of the finest potential for large quantities of bass in the
entire St. Johns River. The water flow around these obstructions causes a
marked increase in the current. That additional movement, in this otherwise
rather sluggish river, provides an excellent feeding ground for all predator
fish. Watch for areas of eddy water along the outer shorelines and along the
mid-stream obstructions. Fish them thoroughly. In the Summer and Fall, look
for surface feeding bass here.
Dunn's Creek, the
connecting link between the river and Crescent Lake, is an excellent place
to find lots of bass. Although heavily fished, it is a constant producer.
Look for fallen trees and grass beds, particularly on the points in the
inside channel bends and in small, connecting run-off basins. Because of the
water depths in Dunn's, deep running crank plugs are often a prime lure near
the channel drop.
Crescent Lake has long been
a great bassin' location. Its eel grass beds beckon to the spawn-ready,
lunker females. Grimsley Cove and Wiedernach Point are two of the prime
areas to concentrate, although I have yet to find any cover area in Crescent
that wasn't pretty darn good.
Dead
Lake,
at the lower end of Crescent is also an excellent bass spot, especially when
you can locate run-off water flowing into it.
Journeying further North to
Palatka, the St. Johns
again makes a major change. Now, it broadens out into a wide, lagoon-like
basin and holds that characteristic all the way to
Jacksonville.
In places, it is as much three miles across, with its depths gradually
decreasing somewhat, as it approaches its joining with the ocean. Numerous
feeder creeks, such as Rice, Deep, Cedar and Six Mile, provide excellent
early-Summer bass fishing in the vegetation areas near their mouths.
Additionally, the lily pad fields and grass beds along the side flats can be
exceptional. Look, particularly, for vegetation growth near deep water and
current flow. These are the places that the careful angler can often find
huge schools of bass lying in wait for passing groups of bait fish. In late
Spring and Summer, Largemouth's will surface feed strongly on these bait
fish schools, but, generally do not move with them. Once schooling activity
is noted, it is a reasonably sure bet that the bass will remain close by on
a cover or structure feature. If you cannot find any readily noticeable
cover in the area, chances are good that the bass are holding over a shell
bed. A heavily weighted plastic worm will usually allow you to pinpoint the
shells. When you do, lay the anchor over gently and be prepared to catch
fish for a while.
Down river (but still
heading North), towards Green Cove Springs, you will find Black Creek
entering from the West. This is a good-size feeder creek and contains some
areas of unusual depth, often as much as 80 feet. There is a good
possibility that these exceptionally deep holes are the result of collapsed
limestone deposits or caverns, since the bottom is very hard in many places.
Whatever the case, Black Creek is a fine bass fishing area, possibly as good
as there is in the entire river system. Do not fish this creek on a 'hit or
miss' basis. Go into it prepared to stay at least half the day. Work the
grass beds, the tree blow-downs, the points, the mouths of run-off sloughs
and the edge of the channel drop. Black Creek has an excellent bass
population, if you will but take the time to locate it.
Just before coming to
Jacksonville, on the West side, we find Doctor's Lake. It is a broad expanse
of water, with fine grass beds along its sides and on high spots out in the
open waters. Additionally, there are numerous boat houses and piers. All of
these features have been known to hold good bass concentrations. Doctor's
Lake is noted for its production of trophy bass. One section that I have
noted to be very good is the mouth of the Lake. When the tide is running
out, bass will gather near the banks, just inside the bridge, and feed on
the moving water.
As we approach
Jacksonville, the St. Johns starts to constrict, turns to the East and flows
into the Atlantic. Nearly all the tributaries are tidal salt marsh streams.
Some will hold bass but, as we get nearer to the ocean, they dwindle
rapidly.
A word is in order
regarding the lower (Northern) one- third of the river and the effects of
the tidal influences. Bass generally do not use the same holding and feeding
locations on both an incoming and an outgoing tide. When the water is
moving, they will select positions in eddy water or behind some obstruction
that shields them from the flow. They will still feed actively, but do not
want to fight the currents. We should keep these points in mind when we
first locate good bass concentrations and note the tidal conditions closely.
Under similar conditions, we can expect to find the fish there again, but,
if the tides are reversed, they will not be.
Throughout the St. Johns
fishery, there is a transitional period from Spring into Summer. A few late
spawners will still be found in the shallow grass beds, but the majority of
the bass have returned to the deeper grass areas and drop-offs close to deep
water. Early and late in the day, when the sun is at a less-penetrating
oblique angle, they will venture into the shallow zones and are susceptible
to surface lures, spinner baits and shallow crank plugs. But, for most of
the day, a plastic worm worked in the deeper and thicker vegetation is the
way to go. In those sections having exceptionally deep water and sharply
sloping banks, a deep crank plug is often a sure ticket to success. When
surface schooling activity is found, top water lures and spoons are
excellent choices. When the school goes down, search for them with the
plastic worm.
The beautiful St. Johns
River continues to earn its reputation as the bass fishing paradise of the
World. Let us hope that the progress of Man never changes it.
'THE ST. JOHNS RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT –'SAVING A FRIEND'
by Jim Porter
(This is Part 2 of the
St. Johns River trilogy)
Lying just to the West
of the cities of Melbourne and Palm Bay, the St. Johns is given birth in a
large marsh drainage area encompassing some 900 square miles. Over the past
three decades, both the marsh basin and some of the close-by lakes have
experienced serious environmental problems and degradation.
There appear to be two
primary culprits: drainage modifications to the marsh; and, farming
(agriculture and livestock) run-off.
In order to obtain more
usable lands, the farming industries and the Army Corps of Engineers
constructed canals and modified existing river channels to allow rapid
drainage of the natural marshlands. These actions resulted in a `conveyor
belt effect', wherein the rapidly discharging waters and all that they
carried were sent directly into the main river channel and near lakes. Under
normal (Mother Nature's) circumstances, these waters would have passed
slowly across thousands of acres of marshland, allowing suspended soil to
settle out and chemical elements to be absorbed by plant-life before
reaching the main drainage. But, that was no longer to be the case.
Large quantities of
suspended soil were deposited directly into the headwaters of the river,
resulting in extensive silting. What were at one time 10-foot depths with
clean white sand bottoms in the St. Johns headwaters are now shallow, muck
and slime-filled areas, often impassable by even small, shallow-draft boat
traffic.
And, with the use of the
reclaimed land, there came the artificial fertilization input to crops and
the natural fertilization outputs from the animal excrement of huge cattle
operations. In its simplest form, the fertilizer (nutrient) element
resulting as a residue was phosphate-based.
Phosphate is excellent
for stimulating the growth of agriculture products, but it also serves the
same purpose when applied to aquatic plants. Its introduction in
concentration results in an explosion of aquatic vegetation, particularly in
the hot summer months. The growth often become so thick on the surface that
sunlight cannot pass and photosynthesis (a by-product of which being oxygen
production) cannot take place. On the upper St. Johns, the massive and
impenetrable vegetation infestation has even stopped much of the usual
boating activities.
In the case of the St.
Johns River marsh, a major program is underway to stop the degradation and
return some portion to its natural state. This effort, an excellent example
of how local, State, and Federal agencies CAN cooperate with the proper
incentives and leadership, is actually working.
There are four basic
goals of the restoration project.
-
Re-acquire substantial portions of the drained
marshlands from the private farming enterprises; a very sensitive
undertaking, but the key ingredient of the program.
-
Plug the drainage canals and force the run-off
waters to once again flow through the cleansing marsh for suspended
materials settlement and for nutrient absorption by the marsh vegetation.
-
Reduce the existing vegetation in the
St. Johns River and its
effected lakes, using a number of non- persistent herbicides, both in
spray and pellet form.
-
Attain and maintain the corrected condition
without totally eliminating the livelihood of the farming elements.
All the farm land could
not be re-acquired and some still remain active. Therefore, some drainage
and run-off aspects simply could not be fully eliminated and had to be
controlled in some creative manner. This is being accomplished by the
construction of a series of large `retention reservoirs', into which the
drainage and run-off waters are pumped. Once the waters make their way from
the intake point to an overflow spill-way at another point, settlement of
the suspended materials will have occurred to a large degree and most
dissolved chemicals will have been absorbed by the reservoir vegetation. An
additional benefit is that the reservoir waters can be pumped back into the
farming areas for irrigation purposes during time of drought.
The program is
working!!
The massive vegetation
mats of the upper headwaters area of the St. Johns River are under control.
Acceptable fishing and boating conditions are returning, as well as the
aquatic life associated therewith. While the shallow area resulting from
earlier silting cannot be corrected, continued silting has all but been
eliminated.
With these successes,
the script is written and the stage is set for saving a few other `friends'
out there. The plan to re-fill the artificially-dug lower Kissimmee River
channel and re-route the waters back into the old channels and the natural
marsh will obviously go a long way towards saving Lake Okeechobee to the
South. And, once the disputes over Okeechobee's farm water retention
reservoirs are resolved, the final touches can be applied. Likewise, the
75,000 acres presently under consideration for use as a `nutrient uptake
zone' in the Everglades can be expected to make major strides in countering
the effects of Man and his ever-continuing `progress'.
THE
ST. JOHNS RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT
FLORIDA'S BEST FISHERY ??'
by Jim Porter
'(This concludes the
3-part St. Johns River trilogy. Don’t forget to take care of our waters for
our kids’ futures!!)
One of the key elements
of the project to save and restore the upper St. Johns River is to construct
large `retention reservoirs' into which to pump the highly fertile and
sediment-laden run-off waters from the surrounding farmlands. These `holding
areas' are used to allow the local vegetation to absorb the fertilizers and
other chemicals from the waters and to permit settling of the suspended soil
prior to reaching the St. Johns, itself. Recent indications are that the
overall project is proceeding smoothly and the angling successes have
exceeded expectations. The construction of the reservoirs to contain and
allow natural cleansing of farm run-off waters, coupled with an extensive
stocking program, is providing high quality, man-made fisheries and
waterfowl hunting areas.
As a side-benefit, the
on-going St. Johns River Restoration is in process of creating marvelous
opportunities for the outdoors-person. In the following pages, we will look
at these resources and their outdoor recreation potential. Additionally, we
will give you detailed information on one which is already active.
There are five retention
reservoirs in the plan which deal directly with the farming and cattle
activities: the St. Johns Water Management Area (also called the Farm
13/Stick Marsh Reservoir); the Blue Cypress Water Management Area (also
known as the Garcia Reservoir); the Knight Property (no formal name given
yet); 3-Forks Reservoir; and, the Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area.
Remembering an earlier briefing on the project, we knew that one of the key
elements of the project to save and restore the upper St. Johns River was to
construct large retention reservoirs in which to pump the highly fertile and
sediment-laden run-off waters from the surrounding farmlands. These `holding
areas would be used to allow the local vegetation to absorb the fertilizers
and other chemicals from the waters and to permit settling of the suspended
soil prior to reaching the St. Johns, itself. Recently, the St. Johns Water
Management District indicated that the overall project is proceeding
smoothly and the angling successes have exceeded their expectations.
The Farm 13 Reservoir
(6700 acres) is completed and has been open to fishing for 7 years. Early in
its life, it was heavily stocked with fish. It actually includes the old
Fellsmere Farm #13 agriculture area, as well as a wooded swamp called `The
Stick Marsh'. Since its opening in late 1989, Farm 13 has proven phenomenal,
to say the least. Possibly the best bass angling in the World existed there
from 1990 through 1995. It has declined a bit, but is still superb!!
Garcia Reservoir (7000
acres) is located to the South of the Farm 13 complex, just off Highway 512
and near where 512 and State Road 60 intersect. Garcia was recently upgraded
and now has paved parking areas and an excellent ramp. It is a rather
shallow body, once having been a farming area. A keen eye will see where the
old fence rows and drainage ditches (with there accompanying levees) were
located. Until you know the area well, take care in running a boat very
fast. Some of the shallow levees are just that - shallow. The Southeastern
portion, near the ramp was, and still is, wooded and heavy with vegetation.
So, most of the fishing is done in more accessible sections. The existing
fish population is good.
The main Fort Drum Marsh
Conservation Area (7000 acres) is relatively shallow and was not stocked
with fish. It did have an existing population, but nothing to boast of. A
200-acre `borrow pit' on the western boundary, however, was stocked to some
degree. It is not recommended at this time.
Another impoundment, the
Knight Property, is located due West of the Farm 13 area and open for
fishing. Reports are that is has an excellent population of bass and pan
fish. But, there is no way to access it other than by carrying a boat over a
levee. Therefore, small boats only are the rule. There are plans to breech
the levee sometime in the future. When that happens, we'll address this
location further. Access to the Knight property reservoir is off Highway
441, between Kenansville and Holopaw (near St. Cloud).
One additional reservoir
is under construction, but will be for water control only and not used in
the farming cycle. Expected to be the premier recreational fishery product
of the Restoration Project, the 10,000 acre 3-Forks Marsh Conservation Area
will be directly on the southwestern boundary of the city of Palm Bay. At
present, the facilities are under construction and flooding of the reservoir
is expected in 1999.
On the southeastern
boundary of the 3-Forks project and just North of the Farm 13 area, a major
bonus has been constructed. In a joint venture among the Florida Game &
Fresh Water Fish Commission, the St. Johns Water Management District, and
the Ducks Unlimited organization, a 2500 acre duck marsh has been developed.
Flooded only to a depth of 12-18 inches and specifically tailored to attract
ducks, this project is providing quality hunting experiences. Access is the
same as Farm 13, discussed later.
We first learned about
the quality angling in the Farm 13 Reservoir during a 1990 interview with
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FG&FWFC) biologists Fred Cross
and Dave Cox. This was the story.
When Cross indicated
that it was going to be `possibly the best fishing in Florida', it was
difficult not to get excited. His voice rose and fell with emphasis as he
described this marvelous place where angling dreams might at last come true.
Could this be real? (No place is that good, I thought.) As Cross continued
to speak, certain phases struck our nerve-endings:
-
stocked the bass three years ago-now four to five
pound average. 'and some of the original river bass population may exceed
ten pounds.
-
Bluegills average better than a pound-sometimes
catch one every cast.'
-
catching limits of big bass so easily that we
plan to put a total catch-and-release in effect.
-
everyone is catching their limit of big slab
crappie.
As the first FG&FWFC
manager for the St. Johns Restoration Project, Cross (Cox was his later
replacement) was anxious for us to see the early results of the project and,
since he knew that I fish a lot more than I write, to sample the exceptional
angling the project had created.
What else could we do,
but hurry and get the boat hitched up to the truck!! The site that greeted
us at the end of Canal C-54 and the Fellsmere Grade (on the border of
Brevard and Indian River counties) didn't look like much; just a muddy patch
of bulldozed dirt and a small, rather unimpressive canal. The absence of a
boat ramp made Fred Cross' advice to `take a boat that can be manhandled'
well supplied. The slope of the canal bank was a bit steep, but our 12-foot
aluminum rig was ideal suited and soon we were underway.
To our left was a high
levee. On the right, just behind a very low dike, flooded brush and trees
extended as far as the eye could see. This inundated area was aptly named
the `Stick Marsh' and had originally been a soggy swamp of little commercial
farming value. Consequently, it had remained in its natural state until the
retention area was flooded to a depth of approximately 8 feet. Now, it was
about to become the `right stuff', that from which legends are made.
At the end of this
two-mile straight section, the canal took a 90-degree turn to the West and
stretched out for what appeared to be another three miles, or more. The
Stick Marsh still lay to our right, but now it was accessible through
openings in the dike (the water was 3-4 feet lower then than it is today).
To our left was yet
another low dike and, standing in the boat, we could peer over it. What an
amazing and beautiful site greeted us. The area across the dike was Farm 13
and what appeared to be 6-9 square miles of shimmering blue water, slick and
cool in the quiet morning light.
Scanning across the
surface of Farm 13, we noted occasional clumps of flooded trees which seemed
to be arranged in orderly manners. These, we later found, were old fruit
orchards, which also happened to be interlaced with small (but now fully
submerged) irrigation canals. A long, straight line of brush stretched out
across one quadrant of the man-made lake and turned out to be the top of a
submerged levee paralleling an original main irrigation canal which
supported the previous farming operation. This canal now had 20-feet of
water for our fishing pleasure, with the submerged levee structure to one
side and the drop-off of the canal lip on the other. A review of an old
aerial photograph clearly portrayed this feature of Farm 13 and also
indicated numerous smaller canals and ditches intersecting the larger
waterway. Now-submerged roads, culverts and other features were easily
identified. By now, I would suppose you are getting the picture. Fred Cross
had directed us to a location with hundreds of acres of flooded brush, grass
and other cover; a multitude of submerged canals and their bordering dikes;
old swamp areas and potholes which now lay beneath the flooding waters; to
wit, an angler's dream, whether he prefers to toss a spinnerbait at a
brush-top or run a crank plug around deep structure. And, the place was full
of fish!
We started our quest for
bass at the previously-mentioned main canal separating Farm 13 and the Stick
Marsh. Surveying the dike and levee to each side, it was obvious that some
heavy dragline digging operation had occurred here; probably to increase the
canal depth in selected places and to obtain dirt to improve the levee. The
depth, we noted, was about 20-feet in the center of the canal. What we found
were a series of holes and drop-offs along the sides of the canal, bordered
closely by shallow grass beds.
In addition, there were
a series of large culvert pipes buried within the dike between the Stick
Marsh and Farm 13, allowing a common water level to be maintained (these
pipes have now been removed and the levee breached for boat access). A small
amount of current was flowing into the canal from the Farm 13 side and that
set up a feeding potential for fish along the edge of the affected Stick
marsh and its openings.
My partner and I did not
move from this first fishing location for an hour. During that period, we
caught and released 47 largemouth bass averaging approximately three pounds,
the largest coming close to five.
The lure choices didn't
matter-a Bang-O-Lure fished with short, rapid jerks brought heart-stopping
surface boils and occasionally two fish at a time amid the three treble
hooks. A plastic worm rarely, if ever, made it to the bottom before it was
inhaled and a hearty bass gave that familiar `tap-tap' we've all come to
love. A crank plug, properly selected by depth range, was impossible to
crank off a drop-off without a strike. A Rat-L-Trap coming off a grass flat
into the deep water was absolutely devastating.
Moving back into the
flooded brush and grass beds of the Stick Marsh, we found the depth to be
about five to six feet. Hydrilla grew in abundance, but was generally two or
three feet under the surface. (This was in the Spring; by mid-Summer, the
growth had reached the surface.)
Bass were abundant.
Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, worms, shallow crank plugs-you name it, it would
bring a smashing strike. And, the fish were noticeably larger in this
heavier cover, now averaging about four pounds and better. Weedless plastic
frog lures brought strikes of such ferocity that it would send cold chills
up the back of even seasoned anglers. A excellent lure, beautifully adapted
to this type cover and condition, was the new floating Rat-L-Trap. At a fast
retrieve, it ran just above the submerged hydrilla and drew vicious attacks.
Back out in the main
canal, we switched to small, dark beetle-spin lures and light tackle. Cross
and Cox was not wrong about the bluegills and crappie. Every cast brought
both of us one or the other, with an occasional bass mixed in. The bluegills
did, in fact, run very close to a full pound each and it was best fishing
for that species that I have ever experienced. The crappie were thick and
averaged about a pound, as well.
The early fishing was so
good in this Water Management area that the FG&FWFC had to enact a total
catch-and-release on bass to preclude selfish exploitation by a small group
of self-centered anglers. It is now planned to retain this release status in
hopes of creating a trophy bass fishery for the future (you are allowed to
keep one trophy bass over 24 inches today).
Between December 90 and
March 91, pre-spawn and spawning Crappie (also known as Speckled Perch) made
that angling so good that approximately 250,000 of the speckled fish were
estimated to have been taken. I expect this figure is low, in that everyone
was taking their 50-fish limit. (Some of the greedy even took limits out and
came back more the same day. No one eats that many fish, so we are certain
that many went to waste to satisfy egos.) This outstanding fishing continued
until 1996, when it took a nosedive for many anglers. Those of us who fish
the Farm 13 complex regularly found there were still large concentrations of
crappie, but new vegetation growths had given them more area to spread out
in and made them harder to find.
If there is any drawback
to this fantastic fishing location which Man has recently created, it is
that I would not recommend eating the fish. I tried some of the pan fish
(all bass must be released) and they were great. However, it occurs to me
that the concentrations of fertilizer and pesticide chemicals, to include
resultant mercury increases, in the water must be extremely high and
possibly dangerous. However, Tim Miller, a FG&FWFC law enforcement officer
who works the Farm 13 area regularly, advised us that water quality sampling
to date indicated that the waters were clean and safe.
The Farm 13 retention
reservoir is located at the very western end of the C-54 canal, a part of
the border between Brevard and Indian River counties, and off State Road 507
between Palm Bay and Fellsmere. It is currently closed until early 1998 for
construction of new ramps and upgrades to the roads and parking areas.
Accordingly, DO NOT MAKE A TRIP TO THE FARM 13/STICK MARSH WITHOUT ASSURING
IT HAS RE-OPENED.
The Stick Marsh/Farm 13
area is still very young. From 1990 to 1995, the description of `best bass
angling in the World' may have been very accurate. I can tell you that my
boat had over 5000 bass caught and released in each of those years. 1996 was
great, too, but I have lost the logbook that I kept during that year and do
not have the numbers. 1997 dropped off a bit due to the explosion of new
vegetation that restricted access to many parts of the complex. We found
ways to compensate, but our catch rates dropped about one-third.
And, you know what?
There are even more retention areas planned for the St. Johns and as a part
of the Lake Okeechobee clean-up project that is just getting started. Life
can be wonderful!!
THE
ST. JOHNS RIVER TRILOGY - EPILOG
"I HEARD THE FARM 13/STICK MARSH IS DONE FOR"
by Jim Porter
"I don't know who told you that crock", I responded. "Let me look at my log
book and I'll get back to you."
The title comment and the response were Internet traffic items on a fishing
site discussion page that I frequent. One thing I have found in all my
years, both as a fisherman and as an outdoor writer, is that rumors beget
rumors. Someone made a trek to the famous Brevard County, Florida, fishing
Mecca and couldn't find the bass. So, the obvious excuse was that "there are
no fish left there".
Wrong!! I say there, boy -- WRONG!!!
I live 30 minutes (even less, if my fishing habit hasn't had a 'fix' in 48
hours) from the Farm 13/Stick Marsh complex in east Central Florida. And, in
1990, I was one of the first to fish it at the invitation of its Florida
Game and Freshwater Fish Commission Project Officer, Fred Cross.
Conservatively my wife, friends, special parties and I spend 100-150 days on
it. I have studied aerial photos of the area before and after it was
flooded. Plus, I made the first map of the impoundment in late 1990. I KNOW
the water well.
While the Farm 13/Stick Marsh complex has undergone many physical water
management engineering changes, the fish have been basically unaffected. I
will be the first to admit that the catch rates are down from the hey-day
years of 1990-1995. But, that decline has NOTHING to do with a decline in
the numbers of fish. It has to do strictly with the anglers' abilities to
adapt and adjust to the changing habitat.
LOGBOOK FACTS:
-
In 1995, my boat had more than 4000 bass come
over the side , averaging some 38 per trip out. And, the vast majority of
those excursions were under 4 hours and were comprised of 2 people.
-
The years prior to 1995 had generally the same
statistics.
-
Years 1996-1998 reflected gradual declines, with
1998 records indicating approximately 2500 bass being taken.
-
During 1999 and 2000, the catch rate for the year
was approximately 24 fish per trip, based on 2 people and 3-4 hours out.
-
During 1999 and 2000, we released 480 bass over 5
pounds, 290 over 6 pounds, 33 over 8, 22 at 10 and above, and a 15.2 pound
giant.
-
Our catches are made using artificial lures.
-
The BEST bass fishing is when the weather is the
HOTTEST.
So, you see, Virginia, the Farm 13/Stick Marsh really DOES still exist. And,
it exists, not just in the hearts of anglers, but in the proof that its
great fishing still abounds.
The problem, my dear, is the fishermen still think of the bygone days of
easy fishing. They remember how great it was when there was very little
grass for the baitfish to hide in and for the big predators to key to. They
remember when the hydrilla and coontail moss populations were so sparse that
the bass stacked on the few grass beds like the proverbial cordwood. They
remember when the big schools of 2-3 pound speckled perch gathered in the
20-foot water of the divider canal before the spawn because there was a lack
of good grass cover.
Yes, those days are gone.
The King is dead. Long live the King.
BUT, the new King is still one of the best fisheries to be found anywhere.
The Farm 13/Stick Marsh bass catches can still average 2 ½-3 pounds per
fish. The knowledgeable angler can still reasonably expect to catch 50 fish
per day. The trophy bass are still there in large numbers. In fact, I
believe the fishing is actually getting better.
Obviously, in an impoundment as small as the Farm 13/Stick Marsh complex, I
cannot divulge exact locations for fishing success. That would put 50 bass
boats and 3 canoes on each hole. What I will do, however, is try and explain
what the angler needs to look for and the adjustments he/she needs to
consider.
The impoundment, being near Florida's East Coast, is very prone to coastal
winds. While most anglers scorn wind as a nemesis, wind is actually one of
the angler's best friends. Used properly, the wind makes 100-bass days very
possible.
Wind makes waves. BUT, wind also produces moving water - induced currents,
if you will. The Farm 13/Stick Marsh is now inundated with lots of dense
beds of vegetation. That vegetation provides impediments to those water
currents, resulting in a 'funneling' or 'channeling' of the flow. ANY mass
in the area of moving water is an obstruction to that flow and the water
will break around the obstruction. Moving water diverted from its natural
path also creates eddies in the vicinity of the obstruction. Fish LOVE
moving water; especially where it flows through narrow passages or along
such features as old submerged canals. Fish LOVE eddies because they are
good energy-efficient holding areas. Moving water carries plankton and other
small aquatic life, which are the food staples of the small fishes. Small
fish gather on the flow to feed. Bigger predators gather on the flow to feed
of the small fish.
There are also a few active water-level control gates that feed into the
Farm 13 side, as well as one near the boat ramp area. Moving water does not
have to be wind-related.
'Nuff said on moving water.
There is a big difference between 'structure' and 'cover'. Structure is a
reference point for fish, for holding and/or for movement paths. Cover is a
concealment item, both for predators and prey. There is a LOT of cover in
the Farm 13/Stick Marsh. But, there is precious little structure. When you
find both together, things get right for schools of bass.
There are 5 predominate structure features in the Farm 13/Stick Marsh:
-
Submerged canals
-
The submerged levees adjacent to those canals
-
Small drainage ditches that connected to the
major canals
-
A few isolated piles of dirt or other debris
(possibly the remains of a burned shed or a pump house, etc.)
-
Old roads used by the farm equipment to work the
fields that once made up Farm 13
If you understand how to evaluate and approach structure for locating bass,
you need no more from me on that subject.
The 'cover' in the complex can be a real pain at times and a real blessing
others. During the dry season and the accompanying lower water levels, the
grass becomes the lure-fouling monster of the Ages.
BUT, when the rains comes, and the water rises --- tie yourself to the boat
seat, Gerty, them fishes are fixin' to get with the program!!.
Picture this situation: the water rises and gets 6-12 inches OVER the
vegetation growing in an area of heavy timber remains or along a submerged
structure feature. Now, think 'jerkbait, weightless worm, shallow
spinnerbait, buzzbait, topwater lure, BIG bass ---. Think real hard.
Now, a word on artificial lures.
A fish is basically dumb as a rock. He/she will try and eat most anything
that moves and will then fit in his/her mouth. So, the choice of lure is NOT
driven by brand name, color, or most characteristics presented by
advertising hype and fisherman hearsay.
Lure choice, whether for Farm 13/Stick Marsh use or any other locale, is
dictated by 3 factors:
-
Depth (you must reach the fish properly)
-
Adaptability to the cover/structure present (it
won't be hung or fouled all the time)
-
Speed (primarily a seasonal/Water temperature
issue)
We can't toss a deep crank plug into the middle of a surface grass bed and a
floating worm may generally be useless over 20 feet of water in the
bisecting canal. Sometimes the slow, subtle presentation of a slowing
sinking jerkbait works much, much better than the fast, noisy retrieve of a
TinkerToy-type buzzbait. Just because you and I 'like' a certain lure, or
caught fish on it over on Lake Kissimmee last week, has absolutely no
bearing on whether it is the lure of choice for the Farm 13/Stick Marsh.
Here are the lures we use successfully. I am listing some brands and models
for depth or style reference only. ANY lures, which duplicate these lure
types in depth and adaptability to cover, are acceptable.
Topwater: ½ and ¼ oz Rippler buzzbaits, dark color; 3/8 oz
spinnerbaits, single #5 Colorado silver blade; Jitterbug; Pop-R; Spittin'
Image; Zara Spook; unweighted worm pulled slowly across grass
Subsurface: Sluggo-type jerkbait; 6 inch worm with 3/0 hook and no
weight, fished as a slow fall lure in grass; Bang-O-Lure; suspending Rapala
Bottom Bumpers: Texas-rig worm, 4 inch straight-tail worm, dark
color, with 1/0 hook and 1/8 slip sinker; Carolina-rig worm, 4 inch
straight-tail worm, dark color, with 1/0 hook and ½ oz sinker; 3 inch Mann's
StingRay grub, smoke or dark color
Crank plugs (depth zone coverage from 6 inches to 12 feet): ½ to 1 oz
RAT-L-TRAP; 3-inch Fat Free Shad; 2 ½ inch Fat Free Shad; Swimmin' Image;
Rebel Wee R; 6 inch swimming worm rig (corkscrew action)
We sincerely hope this helps, not only in fishing the Farm 13/Stick Marsh,
but also in other areas the reader may visit. Remember, there are 4 primary
'truths' of fishing:
-
CATCHING fish is EASY; FINDING them is the hard
-
Dry lure catch darn FEW fish
-
The harder you fishes, seem how the 'luckier' you
gets
-
Mamma always said 'PLEASE, BE SAFE'
Good luck and good fishing!!!!
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