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Fishing Farm 13

stick marsh ★★★★★ 5 16 reviews
5 1

lake farm 13The St. Johns Water Management Area (SJWMA), known to most anglers as the Farm 13/Stick Marsh, is a 6,500-acre impoundment located along the east coast of Central Florida in northwest Indian River County. Water depths range from 4 to 8 feet. Boaters unfamiliar with the SJWMA are advised to navigate to fishing locations with extreme caution due to the number of man-made and natural hazards present. Facilities include a double lane concrete boat ramp, airboat launch site, restroom and paved parking lot. Closest towns/cities are Melbourne, Palm Bay, Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fellsmere. No gas, food or bait available on site. Popular sport fish include largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and several catfish species.

Stick Marsh fish for largemouth bass will be on a hot weather pattern good catches are still possible for those who can adapt to the changing conditions. Those on the lake at first light will likely have the most success before the morning sun intensifies. Many local anglers prefer the late evening bite, especially after the thunderstorms have dissipated, as the best time to fish for bass. As midsummer approaches, look for bass to be distributed widely throughout the reservoir, oriented to the shallow tops of underwater levees and woody structure along the western and southern shorelines. The intersections of the submerged north-south drainage canals in Farm 13 should also hold good numbers of bass. During the onset on the rainy season, anglers should also key in on water control structure outflows, as bass will school up in these areas to feed, often generating a strong bite.

Angler surveys conducted between January and April 2007 of this year did indicate a noticeable drop in an effort, catch and success for all sport fish including bass. This time of year, the diet of largemouth bass typically consists of threadfin and gizzard shad. Artificial lures that imitate shad, including top-water, shallow-running, and deep-diving crankbait, should be anglers’ best bets. As always, golden shiners are the live bait of choice for anglers searching for trophy bass, followed by plastic worms.

Black crappie (speckled perch) fishing can be rewarding this time of the year for those anglers willing to seek them out. Look for them in and around a deep-water structure, such as in Ditch 7 or along the drop-offs of underwater levees and ditches. Small jigs (1/32 and 1/8 ounce) with twister-tail or tube style tails and minnows should be productive in deep water and along grass lines. Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) will be found feeding and spawning along the perimeter levees and tops of submerged levees. Live crickets, worms, and grass shrimp will be the baits of choice, followed by beetle spins, and small jigs. Catfishing on this reservoir is usually quite good, with traditional baits and methods all being productive.

Stick Marsh Reviews

Stick Marsh blowout

Stick Marsh
★★★★★
Bill put me on good bass action all day at Stick Marsh. What a great day and good fishing. We landed over 30 with several whoopers. Will use Bill again.
- MrMaikranz

Capt Bill Goudy Excellent trip

Stick Marsh
★★★★★
I highly highly recommend Capt Bill Goudy who I booked via bassonline.com. He was a great fishing guide, coach, and host to the Florida outdoors. He had just the right amount of involvement and led us to the largest Bass we had ever caught or seen in person. I will be using him again. He is also great with kids and showed the patience and good nature you would expect from someone you would like to go fishing with.
- WAYNE KELLER

Florida Bass Fishing

Stick Marsh
★★★★★
Did a day on Stick Marsh with Captain Mark "Turtle: Hilles. It was a great experience and wonderful day. Caught some great bass and lost a few. Mark is a great guide and really knows what he is doing as far as putting us on fish and advising us on technique. He is very personable and fun to be with. Any future Florida bass trip will always be with mark!!
- Bob Cwalina

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