Stick Marsh Farm 13 Catching Report

[Hugh Crumpler]

From: "Hugh Crumpler"
To: "Hugh Crumpler"
Subject: Stick Marsh & Farm 13 Catching Report
Date: Sunday, December 08, 2002 6:20 PM

Water temperatures remain in lower sixties in both Stick Marsh and Farm 13. Artificial catching has become difficult. The bass will hit spinnerbaits, Rattle Traps, and an assortment of soft jerkbaits. The bulk of the bass are being caught on wild shiners.

The number of bass bites a fisherman gets is in direct proportion to the number of wild shiners that are out at one time and the number of wild shiners that remain in the water. A wild siner in the water draws bass. Always have at least one in the water.

Our clients have used as few as six dozen wild shiners in a day and as many as ten dozen. The bass are feeding prior to getting on the bed. They are moving in groups and the bite comes in groups. Keeping at least one shiner in the water keeps the group where you are.

Hook setting is one of the most important aspects of using wild shiners. It is critical to get the line tight and feeling the bass before setting the hook. While the average first time wild shiner user catches less than one in three bites they are catching about forty bass a day at this time. An experienced wild shiner fisherman, or one who uses his ear, hand and eye coordination to good advantage can bring the catch to boating ratio up to almost one hundred percent.

I hope your holiday season is a good one.

God Bless You,
Hugh Crumpler III