Fishing Farm 13
The 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.
Farm 13/Stick Marsh Reviews

Beb Bass Fishing Stick Marsh Capt Mike G took my teenage sons out for a 6 hour trip. rough day with steady wind and occasional rain, but they still managed 30 Bass, one personal best and stories that lasted the rest of the vacation. couldn't have been a better experience. John Finnegan - NY 


May 5th 2017 StickMarsh Had a great time. myself and my Friend caught 11 fish all but one 3lbs or better on a 4 hour morning trip to StickMarsh. The largest was 6lbs. My friend had never fished for Bass before he got 5 of them. The Guide was a took us to a honey hole right away and we began getting bites right away. He obviously knew the lake well and we enjoyed his stories. I will be looking for Dean again the next time I go on a guided trip. 


Capt. Mike Groshon, Stick Marsh Bass Adventure I took my son fishing with Capt. Mike for his Birthday. What a great trip, caught about 20 Largemouth Bass missed a few but several in five pound plus category. The weather was perfect and Mike put us on the fish at all times. He was great company and a real Gentleman. I would recommend him anytime for a great day of Big Bass fishing. 


Turtle delivers again We had another amazing half-day morning in the stickmarsh with Turtle. My first cast of the early morning delivered my personal best now 7lb bass! My 2 kids and I caught over 30 bass and the bulk of them were in the 3-5lbs range. This was our second trip with Turtle and each time out he put us on the bass. I highly recommend Turtle! Tommy Thalman 




6-Hour Trip to Stick Marsh with A great time on the water at Stick Marsh with our guide, Mark Hilles (a.k.a Turtle). The promised pre-trip call dialed in the conditions and recommendations for the following day. Mark was on-time, even suggesting an earlier start than the planned 7am departure to get a jump on things. He provided solid advice on techniques and had all the gear necessary to handle any conditions that might have been present for a novice or more experienced bass fisherman. He was patient and was always offering to lend a hand, yet very willing to let you do it yourself for a balanced approach to guiding. Mark put us on the fish and we ended up boating about 15 bass between the 2 of us during our 6-hours on the water. Missed several more. All-in-all a productive and fun time. Looking forward to another trip when I'm back in the area. 


AAA++++++ Great place to book a guide through,very friendly. Our guide Mark "turtle" Hilles was awesome!!! He took the time to speak to me before our trip to find out exactly how I wanted to fish and what I was looking for, and he delivered!!! Very knowledgeable and friendly!! I will definitely return to fish with him again and recommend this company and it's guides to anyone!!! 










Stick Marsh Bass Fishing for a first timer Captain Mark was very professional, patient and courteous. He delivered the goods with a sound plan for locating fish in a tough bite. My wife caought a 6lb + largemouth which was an amazing fish. Collectively we landed 30+ bass from 2 a- 6lbs. Excellent results for this adventure. Bass On Line provided a quality, efficient experience booking our trip from Portland OR to FL waters. We will definitely do this again. 

CLICK HERE TO WRITE A LAKE REVIEW




