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I would only kill exotics that might tilt the balance of natural bodies of water. The snakehead is a perfect example. The Florida Fish and Game tell you to kill everyone you catch. Don't throw them back. By killing natural predators it might lead to an over population of other fish, and cause major problems in the lake environment.

I have a friend that fishes the Stick Marsh 3 or 4 days a week. He has lost two props, a transducer, bent several trolling motor shafts and had his lower unit welded twice, all this calender year, and he knows the place well!!!!!! An expensive place to fish but the rewards are sooooo gooooood! The first time I went with him he had 36 pounds best 5, and I had 28 pounds. We caught 37 fish, with 15 over 5 pounds and two over 9 pounds.. The big fish was 9.7 pounds. Not everyday is that good but many are! All catch and release 365 days a year and absolutely no tournaments. A special, special, fishery, and the state is about to double the size of the whole place. Future looks bright for the Stick Marsh for some time! If you go for the first time, dont run the boat hard, its a dangerous place.

Slow down a little, but keep it moving. One thing for sure is don't just stop.

Lake Burton, just such a great looking lake.

This morning was tough along Weston Road. Wind was howling and the bass bite was slow. Caught three small bass at a culvert over a two hour period.. Tonight at Vista View Park in Davie, the bite was a lot better. From 5 to 7:30 I caught 12 with several in the 2.5 range. Weightless senko type bait did the trick. All bites were on or near the bottom. It ended up a lot better then this morning.

I would go all along weston road, north of Griffen and fish the lakes along the Weston Road. Fish the office side of the lakes and no one will bother you. Fish behind any homes and the cops will be there quick. Those lakes have a good supply of decent size fish. Look for culvert pipes, water may start flowing with a little rain, Pad Fields and drop-offs. There is also some Hydrilla in spots. Fishing has been off a little in Weston because there has been a giant explosion of tadpoles recently, millions of them in all the lakes and the old dump site. I think the fish are stuffed full of tadpoles, and not as willing to bite. Good luck if you go, watch for snakes in Weston, they have been out.

Catt, I could not agreee with you more. In Florida with all the thick vegitation, 90% of the time I'm grabbing Texas or Wacky rigged plastics. Once in a while I'm throwing top water.

Stick Marsh is 42 on the list because there are no tournaments allowed, can't find the Potomac. 30 pound + limits are normal for this place. No fish even allowed in a live well. Just loads of big monster fish. It should be higher, but that's just my personal opinion.

The Stick Marsh in Felesmere, Fl. will hold its own with anywhere in the country. If you want to catch a mess of big fish its definitely the place to go. Day in and day out there are more double digit big fish caught there then anywhere in Florida. My personal opinion.

Culvert pipes are one of the best areas to fish from the bank. If there is water flowing you may hit a home run in that area. If your fishing a worm or 4" senko type bait, remember to slow down and let the bait fall on a slack line. Lift it off the bottom and let it flutter back down. Most bites come on the fall or sitting still. Be a line watcher and if you see any movement take up the slack until you feel some weight, then set the hook hard. Good luck, the more you do it the better you will get.

All these body of water have bass in them . They are all connected by the flood control systems. So fish, snakes, gators ect. all move throughout the system. Good luck and fish any and all structure. Watch for snakes this time of year.

Fish go through periods when they would hit a block of wood with a nail in it. Then there are other times when they will not mess with a shiners. It's just all part of fishing. Like all living creatures, if they are hungry enough they will eat something! Try throwing a different bait that they haven't seen. Down size, fish slower and let them have a good look. Let it sit for several minutes, then a quick jerk and let it sit again. It's like watching paint dry, but you will catch fish. Patience is an important part of fishing.

If you don't need long casts try the zoom trick worm wacky style. Watermelon red, black are my colors. It doesnt cast as far but I get more bites then with a senko.

Bill is one well respected fishman from the old days. He could fish almost any body of water and do respectable. He has 50 years of experience behind him. Nice guy and good fisherman. He does take forever to land a 2 pound fish!

Dons a great guy, he will not do you wrong.

One of my always go to baits is a weightless 4" senko type bait, in any and all shades of watermelon. Throw it along a depth change and let it fall all the way to the bottom. Then jerk it up off the bottom a foot or two and let it flutter back to the bottom on slack line. It produces in cold or hot water and anything in between. Its a great little bait, just dont over work it. Most bites occure on the fall, or when the bait is sitting still. Work a ledge to death. Predominant depth changes hold fish under all types of conditions. They will use the ledge wall for cover, camaflage, shade, ambush, safety, and a staging area. If I find a 4 foot or more sudden depth change it is like a magnet for fish. Spend time in this area, and fish it parrelell to the change. You will catch fish, almost guaranteed!!!!!!!!

Michigan, its a great site for help and information for sure. Just one note of warning, whenever you think you have them dialled in, they will make look like a novice again. Its all part of the game! Keep pounding away at it, and you will keep learning something new everyday. So much to learn and so little time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have watch guys including myself, back the boat in the water with the rope untied from the boat to the trailer. Nothing like watching the boat float off on its own to points unknown.

Long casts and very stealth baits, trick worm, 4" senko, centipedes, flukes and some small top water. Stealth is a key, stay off the trolling motor as much as possible and turn it on slow.

Glades, thanks for all that info. Good stuff there. I fish the place a dozen times a year. Loads of big fish in there that never see a boat or hook. It can be frustrating and also very rewarding. One clump of weeds produced two 8 pound fish on back to back casts. That was some day. Thanks for your report.

I fish from the bank at least 5 days a week. In south Florida the banks are full of vegetation and pads. Fishing a hard plastic with trebles is out of the question. They would get hung up, and pulling them out shoots them back at you at unbelievable speed. I have gone to the hospital with trebles buried to the top of the bend several times. I learn the best from practical experience, sometimes painfulyl!!!!! A fluke weightless, senkos, frogs, plastic swimbaits, or worm is the way to go. Texas rig them and they will come through the thick stuff with little problem. Fish love them and your a lot safer then with trebles. Keep the medical bill down!

I have gone there many times. The store is always clean and well designed but poorly stocked with the things I need. The store in Dania has a much better selection of products. I go there more frequently.

Nice job son. That's a good fish anywhere in the country.

For me it is never a constant. If I have confidence in the bait, color, size and weight, I may stay with the pattern for a long time. If its a new bait, that I had not spent much time throwing, I will get rid of it quicker then a Squirrel in a nut house. Confidence goes a long way, almost to the point of boredom. I am often guilty of staying with a favorite bait way too long.

The gill plate technique works great and almost every fish lives to tug another day. Master this technique and help promote our sport.