George Welcome

Disolved oxygen is the answer more than likely: Both gar and carp thrive in areas of low DO concentration whereas bass aren't as tolerant of it. DO levels are a transient thing so you might see it in one area of the lake one day, and in another area the next.

The spin, or actually wobble, is desirable. The bait will go back and forth, left to right, as well as the tail pulsating. This is normal.

Just came across this : tried to send it via PM but wouldn't take the link. Sent you an e-mail

Saw Avid a few weeks ago and he was fine. I have not seen Lightning Rod anyhere on the internet.

Without getting complicated, it's what causes galvanic corrosion of metal parts of the motor when it is in an area where electricity is present in the water.

Sounds like a possible electrolysis mark. Does the boat stay in the water at a dock? Have you used it in salt water? Have you used it on the upper St. Johns? I doubt that it is a stress anything.

Sometimes just the impeller won't do. Replace the whole assembly and seals.

Excellent report and sentiments!

1: Bass are immediate catch and release - they did allow for one year the keeping of one bass but that proved to be a mistake. 2: Stick Marsh/Farm 13 is one lake - the center divider levee is there to force more water flow through more of the lake. 3: The marsh side simply kept the name it had had for years. Any remnant of orange trees, (the SE corner only) were from 80+ years ago. Most of it was cypress, palm, and a dense brush, wax myrtle. The farm side was farm #13 of Fellsmere Farms, which was a radish field. The lake was closed in 98, (or 99), for a resurfacing of the road and a new ramp. Although the road is still dirt it is far better than it was. Since then the parking lot has been paved, and the ramps extended. After all the many storms most of the trees have been chopped off at the water line as it existed at the moment. There are still some palms standing in the NW of the Marsh. The random chance of connecting with wood on the Marsh or the southern end of the Farm: Very good.

Are you talking about the Stick Marsh?

A boat failure that wasn't Granpa, his son, and grandson out for a professional guided tour of the lake. The guide, (me) goes to start the big motor, but it's a no go. After several negative attempts we get a hour and a half tow to the ramp. A twenty foot boat doesn't go on a trailer easy without power so an attempt was made to get her started once again. As I turned the key my eyes looked down to see the lanyard sitting on the deck. Once replaced the motor started instantly. It seems the grandson was playing and had pulled the lanyard off. However, the professional, (me) didn't follow the abc's of troubleshooting a non-starting engine. These customers remind me every year now before leaving the ramp, to check the safety switch.

The particular worm you are seeing is more than likely a nematode (round worm). Now you have something that you can look up.

The most often statement that I hear as we start our way across the Stick Marsh is, "wow, I thought this was a much smaller lake". As we round the point of the separation levy they get the full impact as all 11 square miles is in view. "Where do we start?" is the next common question. There are times that our trip is set up to learn safe navigation and Sunday was one of the days. I spent the morning on a combo trip of, "where's safe?", and "where's the fish?". The first thing to point out is that at this time water levels are up and it is relatively safe to run on the Stick Marsh side of this lake. However, caution must be maintained as this side is the land of stumps, brush, and floaters. Also there are routes that are far safer than the rest. On the Stick Marsh side there are areas that historically produce better than others. The northwest corner which still has plenty of stumps and trees is many times is an area that produces 100+ fish days. Twin pines, an area named as such because there was a pair of identical palms, is located more in the middle of the Stick Marsh, and is a dynamic area many times. In the south central area just inside of the divider ditch is another such area, as is the SW area of the Marsh. All of the Marsh is of the same depth and it is all covered with stumps and brush. As one rounds the point of the center levee and enters Farm 13, what's below the surface of the water changes completely. This side of the lake was at one time a radish field belonging to Fellsmere Farms known as farm #13, hence the name. This is the side with the structure and is crisscrossed with 3 N/S submerged irrigation ditches, and one E/W main feeder ditch. On the east wall there is a irrigation pump station that is still active and provides water for the farm. Water can flow into the Farm from the spillway located in the SE corner. If either the pump house is working or the spillway is flowing, the moving water can produce days of catching that approach disbelief. The south end of the Farm, from midpoint on the west wall, running diagonally to the SE corner has as much if not more wood and brush, than the Stick Marsh. This area needs to be learned if one is going to keep their equipment intact for another days fishing. Again, as with the Marsh side, water levels are up concealing a lot of the wood, however, unlike the Marsh side, the south end is never safe to run. The next question is "where's the fish?" At this time they are into full summer pattern, which means they are going to found in the deeper water. This doesn't mean that the deeper water is where you will catch them. What this does mean once located they will be caught when they move into the adjacent shallower waters to feed. The trick is to find their holding area and with 11 square miles to cover this can be a daunting task for the fisherman that only gets out here occasionally. However, if you do locate them and then have the patience and persistence needed, the following can be your reward. Believe me, although it looks quite warm, which it was, when catching a fish like this all the heat disappears. The guys treated me to a pizza lunch, and promised that the Marsh/Farm was now on their list of lakes to fish more often. Fortunately for me, it was their boat and vehicle that got dirty on our lovely 6.5 mile long hit-a-bump road, so their was no boat cleaning on the schedule for me. Yesterday, Don Willis and I headed out to, (I hate to say it but!) a secret fishing hole. Total number of other boats on the lake throughout the morning equaled none. Once in a while it's great to just get off to the peace and privacy of such a place. I hadn't been out here since before the hurricanes, and it would be Don's first trip on these waters. Starting a daybreak on this lake of crystal clear water, things were nice and call. Don worked a rattle trap as I worked a Senko, and it immediately became evident that the rattle trap was going to be the winning bait. Of course, Don laid claim to biggest fish this trip but I would rather show a picture of me, in Don's pond yacht as we didn't take his picture for fear of breaking the camera. As noon approached and the heat level rose we opted for the cool of air conditioning and headed back to the ramp. Although we only had about 15 bass for the morning, (most of them Don's), it was a morning that we enjoyed greatly. See you on the water. Say hi if you get the chance. Oh! I do have a few openings! Want to go fishing? Note: Neither picture are of days fished, but rather representative of fish caught on those days. In both instances my camera was forgotten on my boat.

The most often statement that I hear as we start our way across the Stick Marsh is, "wow, I thought this was a much smaller lake". As we round the point of the separation levy they get the full impact as all 11 square miles is in view. "Where do we start?" is the next common question. There are times that our trip is set up to learn safe navigation and Sunday was one of the days. I spent the morning on a combo trip of, "where's safe?", and "where's the fish?". The first thing to point out is that at this time water levels are up and it is relatively safe to run on the Stick Marsh side of this lake. However, caution must be maintained as this side is the land of stumps, brush, and floaters. Also there are routes that are far safer than the rest. On the Stick Marsh side there are areas that historically produce better than others. The northwest corner which still has plenty of stumps and trees is many times is an area that produces 100+ fish days. Twin pines, an area named as such because there was a pair of identical palms, is located more in the middle of the Stick Marsh, and is a dynamic area many times. In the south central area just inside of the divider ditch is another such area, as is the SW area of the Marsh. All of the Marsh is of the same depth and it is all covered with stumps and brush. As one rounds the point of the center levee and enters Farm 13, what's below the surface of the water changes completely. This side of the lake was at one time a radish field belonging to Fellsmere Farms known as farm #13, hence the name. This is the side with the structure and is crisscrossed with 3 N/S submerged irrigation ditches, and one E/W main feeder ditch. On the east wall there is a irrigation pump station that is still active and provides water for the farm. Water can flow into the Farm from the spillway located in the SE corner. If either the pump house is working or the spillway is flowing, the moving water can produce days of catching that approach disbelief. The south end of the Farm, from midpoint on the west wall, running diagonally to the SE corner has as much if not more wood and brush, than the Stick Marsh. This area needs to be learned if one is going to keep their equipment intact for another days fishing. Again, as with the Marsh side, water levels are up concealing a lot of the wood, however, unlike the Marsh side, the south end is never safe to run. The next question is "where's the fish?" At this time they are into full summer pattern, which means they are going to found in the deeper water. This doesn't mean that the deeper water is where you will catch them. What this does mean once located they will be caught when they move into the adjacent shallower waters to feed. The trick is to find their holding area and with 11 square miles to cover this can be a daunting task for the fisherman that only gets out here occasionally. However, if you do locate them and then have the patience and persistence needed, the following can be your reward. Believe me, although it looks quite warm, which it was, when catching a fish like this all the heat disappears. The guys treated me to a pizza lunch, and promised that the Marsh/Farm was now on their list of lakes to fish more often. Fortunately for me, it was their boat and vehicle that got dirty on our lovely 6.5 mile long hit-a-bump road, so their was no boat cleaning on the schedule for me. Yesterday, Don Willis and I headed out to, (I hate to say it but!) a secret fishing hole. Total number of other boats on the lake throughout the morning equaled none. Once in a while it's great to just get off to the peace and privacy of such a place. I hadn't been out here since before the hurricanes, and it would be Don's first trip on these waters. Starting a daybreak on this lake of crystal clear water, things were nice and call. Don worked a rattle trap as I worked a Senko, and it immediately became evident that the rattle trap was going to be the winning bait. Of course, Don laid claim to biggest fish this trip but I would rather show a picture of me, in Don's pond yacht as we didn't take his picture for fear of breaking the camera. As noon approached and the heat level rose we opted for the cool of air conditioning and headed back to the ramp. Although we only had about 15 bass for the morning, (most of them Don's), it was a morning that we enjoyed greatly. See you on the water. Say hi if you get the chance. Oh! I do have a few openings! Want to go fishing? Note: Neither picture are of days fished, but rather representative of fish caught on those days. In both instances my camera was forgotten on my boat.

Gum (varnish) in the fuel system. Carb rebuild time.

Sno Bowl - will clean it right off. Inexpensive!

Is there a sign now that designates the north pond as 10 HP? It was for a long time no motor. Haven't been out except once, since they blocked the lateral canal and lowered the lake.

"i have no clue what lakes to go to. does anybody know of any good lakes around sothwest Florida? im in naples. my boat is all set up and ready to go... but i dont know were to go with it now lol any help would be appreciated. thanks." Duh? You asked for help. There is someone that can very possibly help you.

I like that one Bob.

Contact this guy - Club Number 4629 Club Name Gulf Coast Bassmasters First Name Franklin B. Last Name Sullivan Phone (239) 595-0383 EMail fbsullivan@comcast.net URL Region Southern City Naples

Same area. If the fish are holding we do go back to the same spot. Of course all of the spots that I have learned over the 13 years out here are revisited by season.

Anything dark - it doesn't matter as long as it is dark.

Before the excitement of the chase ensues there is a lot of planning and preparation in hopes of ensuring a successful day on the water. I rise at least two hours before the scheduled rendezvous time in order to get the boat prepped for the days outing. There is fuel to be gotten, drinks to be put on ice, and equipment to be prepared for the much anticipated seeking of our wily adversary. Once all is ready it is off to the ramp to meet the days clients. Most of them have been preparing for this trip for a considerable period of time, making accommodations, airline reservations, auto reservations, and in general prepping their gear. Their excitement level is difficult to control as they ready for their day on the waters of Stick Marsh/Farm, a lake that is reputed to have some of the finest fishing in the world. Today I met Troy and Ray Rogers at the ramp at daybreak. This was their second trip to these fabled waters. After a two hour drive from Winter Haven, Florida the guys were ready to wet the lures and bring some bass into the boat. We started the day using three different baits to see what the bass would prefer if anything. Ray worked a popper while Troy worked a frog in hopeful anticipation of a top water bite. I picked up my rod rigged with a Yamamoto Swim Senko on a 4/0 Gammy, and weighted with a 1/4 ounce torpedo. The first fish of the day which came early on showed us the today would be a day that the slow retrieval of the Swim Senko would be the enticement that they preferred. The hot rod on the boat belonged to Ray with the bar being set by this 5.5 pound lady. During the course of the morning the catch would be repeated again and again giving us a accumulation of 45 bass in the 4 hours spent on the water. Although Troy worked hard to better his big gal caught on his last trip he never quite got there. The numbers were there, but size avoided his baits throughout the morning. Several of Troy's bass came on a 10" power worm. Heading in after a very successful trip, I headed home to do the inevitable: clean the boat in preparation for my next trip, answer e-mails, and put together a report of the days occurrences. My life is a series of early rises, the daily challenge of finding our wily prey, and a lengthy follow-up to insure that tomorrow will yield what today's efforts did. Water temperatures are up as we come into the summer months, and as has been the case in years gone by, the fishing is in a word, fantastic. If you find the bait, the forage, and the bass, the catching will be something that you will rarely experience on any other body of water. This time of the year look for the deeper water directly adjacent to shallow and work slowly. Once you catch one, you probably are on a bunch so slow down and work the area thoroughly. Don't be in a rush to move on as a bit of work and perseverance can send you home at days end with a smile and memories of an experience to be treasured forever. See you on the water.

Before the excitement of the chase ensues there is a lot of planning and preparation in hopes of ensuring a successful day on the water. I rise at least two hours before the scheduled rendezvous time in order to get the boat prepped for the days outing. There is fuel to be gotten, drinks to be put on ice, and equipment to be prepared for the much anticipated seeking of our wily adversary. Once all is ready it is off to the ramp to meet the days clients. Most of them have been preparing for this trip for a considerable period of time, making accommodations, airline reservations, auto reservations, and in general prepping their gear. Their excitement level is difficult to control as they ready for their day on the waters of Stick Marsh/Farm, a lake that is reputed to have some of the finest fishing in the world. Today I met Troy and Ray Rogers at the ramp at daybreak. This was their second trip to these fabled waters. After a two hour drive from Winter Haven, Florida the guys were ready to wet the lures and bring some bass into the boat. We started the day using three different baits to see what the bass would prefer if anything. Ray worked a popper while Troy worked a frog in hopeful anticipation of a top water bite. I picked up my rod rigged with a Yamamoto Swim Senko on a 4/0 Gammy, and weighted with a 1/4 ounce torpedo. The first fish of the day which came early on showed us the today would be a day that the slow retrieval of the Swim Senko would be the enticement that they preferred. The hot rod on the boat belonged to Ray with the bar being set by this 5.5 pound lady. During the course of the morning the catch would be repeated again and again giving us a accumulation of 45 bass in the 4 hours spent on the water. Although Troy worked hard to better his big gal caught on his last trip he never quite got there. The numbers were there, but size avoided his baits throughout the morning. Several of Troy's bass came on a 10" power worm. Heading in after a very successful trip, I headed home to do the inevitable: clean the boat in preparation for my next trip, answer e-mails, and put together a report of the days occurrences. My life is a series of early rises, the daily challenge of finding our wily prey, and a lengthy follow-up to insure that tomorrow will yield what today's efforts did. Water temperatures are up as we come into the summer months, and as has been the case in years gone by, the fishing is in a word, fantastic. If you find the bait, the forage, and the bass, the catching will be something that you will rarely experience on any other body of water. This time of the year look for the deeper water directly adjacent to shallow and work slowly. Once you catch one, you probably are on a bunch so slow down and work the area thoroughly. Don't be in a rush to move on as a bit of work and perseverance can send you home at days end with a smile and memories of an experience to be treasured forever. See you on the water.

A pond is a body of water smaller than a lake. In the United Kingdom, where the charity Pond Conservation has made some of the most extensive studies of ponds, the now widely adopted definition of a pond is 'A man-made or natural waterbody which is between 1m2 and 2 hectares in area, which holds water for four months of the year or more'. In other parts of Europe some biologists prefer to set the upper size limit at 5 ha, and in North America even larger waterbodies are often called ponds. The international Ramsar wetland convention sets the upper size limit for ponds as 8 ha. Although the size cutoff between ponds and lakes is partly subjective both are formed by ponding water. Ponds may be man-made or natural in origin and can be made by excavating a hollow in which water may lie, filling an existing depression with ground or surface water or by retaining water from a stream, or by forming a dam to impound the water in a valley. Ponds can be made by a very wide range of natural processes, although in many parts of the world these are now severely constrained by human activity. In some countries backyard ponds or garden ponds are popular and common. The techniques may be combined to form a reservoir in flat country by enclosing an area with an embankment. Such a pond, unless very small, is usually called a reservoir. In some cultures, the meaning has been extended to include small bodies of water impounded naturally. The many different definitions traditionally applied by freshwater biologists to ponds (such as a body of water where light penetrates to the bottom of the waterbody, a waterbody shallow enough for rooted water plants to grow throughout its area, a water body which lacks wave action on the shoreline) are very difficult to apply in practice, and may vary according to season, pollution or the presence of trees around the waterbody. For example, when a pond is too heavily shaded by trees for plants to grow throughout, does it cease to be a pond? If the waterbody is polluted, light may be prevented from penetrating to the bottom of even quite shallow ponds by dense blooms of algae - yet the waterbody is still a pond. For this reason more practical definitions based on size, which can be easily measured at all times and change only if the pond is physically modified, are now widely used. In the same way, lakes can simply be defined as waterbodies which are larger than ponds. There: now you can get as complex as you want.