Paul Roberts

Good stuff here. Catt, the studies I'm referring to were done in the field, not in a lab. A very good one, pertaining directly to this question, is Ralph Manns "The Territorial Imperative" in InFisherman Bass Guide 2003. In it he writes, "Many anglers and biologists assume black bass have a strong territorial instinct because territoriality is common in most large animals. Yet scientific literature contains few reports of territorial behavior in bass outside of nest-guarding behavior during spawning or reactions of hatchery bass or those in aquaria. Underwater videos often show bass schooled or aggregated, with no evident forceful interactions to separate one dominant bass from another. He goes on to describe his own daily feeding of bass in his own pond, and how this altered their normal hunting patterns to crowd into a small area to receive the handouts. Here they set up in a formation and became territorial (over real estate the prime location being proximity to the feeding location). It's not that bass can't be territorial, but that it takes specific conditions to set up and, even rarer, to maintain it. Maybe the word is being used by anglers in a loose fashion, like ambush in describing bass hunting behavior. Bass are not ambush predators in the strict definition of the term. Reaction strikes interest me and I do want to know why. So, I'm picking it apart a bit more. I'm not convinced that territoriality explains most reaction strikes. I think it is more common as an extension of feeding than one involving real territoriality. I guess my point is, or thought is, that reaction strikes happen more often than territoriality in bass and other fish. Where these get intertwined is in areas of high concentrations of food, and competition, where a fish might have to race another fish to a food item. But this isn't necessarily territoriality. However, it can have a territorial component, as in Ralph's study and some others where concentrations of food were maintained for a long time. But this appears to be rare in the wild and doesn't go far in explaining reaction strikes (which are quite common) in my mind.

Unless there was a lot of unrecorded early stocking, the Perry fish came before the Florida strain recognition, and craze. Plus, in most waters, I believe the hybrids tend to be maladaptive. It's the pure Florida's that attain such size. Age structure is probably a good part of it. Think of the fish that were caught and went unrecognized back then. Interestingly, both the 20# Florida entry and Perry's fish were pre-summer fish (June and May).

It's definitely Oncorhynchus. If the anal count is too high it might be a Chinook -the spotting looks more Chinook like, but, with the tail shape and spotting, and that face -that's a coho. Has there ever been a Coho/Chinook cross? I've caught some steelies that made me look twice, being awful coho like in the face. It's NOT Salmo -no way.

Don't feel bad, I NEVER do well ice fishing in the summer!

I guess I view reaction strikes differently. Most bass aren't territorial, so they have nothing to "defend", unless they are in an area with very highly concentrated prey. Researchers have been able to create situations where bass become home bodies and will defend territorial space near the food source. But this isn't all that common in most waters. I have seen what I see as "reactionary strikes" in a number of species. Probably the most obvious one was many years ago during a sportsman's show in a shopping mall. A vinyl-lined swimming pool had been set up and filled with hatchery rainbow trout. (If you know 'bows you know they can be very "reactionary"). You paid a buck for 5 minutes, and the pool was elbow to elbow with "anglers". The trout were in a panic and created a whirlpool zipping around that pool. When you paid you were handed a cheap fiberglass rod with a short section of black nylon braid tied to the tip top. The "bait" was a small square piece of flat vinyl "nauga-hide". I wasted the first buck realizing there was no way in he!! those fish were going to "feed". I watched one guy get ejected for trying snag some. Interestingly, there were some fish caught as I saw a few carried off in plastic bags, invariably being clutched by a very young angler. As I watched I saw a small child not paying attention to her bait and inadvertently dragging it across the surface, and some of those spooked trout would suddenly and seemingly impulsively break ranks and chase it. On my next buck I let the bait sink and then accelerated it in front of the onrushing horde, and a trout struck. I purposely didn't hook it, and did it again, and again finally impaling one. I've recognized such strikes from stream trout up to giant steelhead, and found I could elicit strikes from even spooked steelies, esp with fly tackle. I think a reaction strike is simply an extension of a feeding response, but an impulsive one brought on in a number of ways: competition with other fish, and/or proximity to a lure that might escape. This can be brought on by lure speed, action, and positioning in relation to cover, structure, current anything that restricts the fish's perceived ability to react to the lure. It's often a matter of positioning and timing, and can be affected by water clarity.

That's Weakley's 25.1. Muddy's just a big dude. Actually, all his fish look small. Burley is no fool.

I used to, for pike mostly. Do you ever fish for bass through the ice?

Sorry, I couldn't resist. My guess is the BR member posting about the 28 believed it himself, and wasn't trying to BS anybody. My guess is it was the photo of 12# fish (in Bob Lusk's article about that lake) or another of similar size that got around, and rumors flew.

Maybe the Perry fish was due to an unknown stocking of Fl strain fish? LOTS of stocking occurred in many species all over the country very early on (starting in the late 1800s), and most records are obscure, likely most are lost. Got to admit though, that Perry fish is an oddball, an outlier. The only other fish on the list that Matt provided caught outside of TX, CA, or FL are single fish from Mississippi and Japan -both relatively recent catches, and probably both FL strain. Yeah RW, that is one heck of a bass. All those CA monsters are just amazing. It's a good story too. I like the idea that fishing, and those fish, mean more to those guys than money and fame. Guys like Weakley, Crupi, Long, Muddy (you know, that 2.8 from Mauch Chunk he never told us about 'til now).

Ok here it is. Burley, eat your heart out.

Hey, I've seen that picture on the web! Muddy and his 2.8lb bass from Mauch Chunk! (Didn't look like a 2.8 to me though). Lemme see if I can find it. I'll need some time...

Interesting idea. But, remember a 20# bass is likely over 10 years old so you'd need a climate effect over long term. Also, someone here once brought up the very interesting question about the legitimacy of the Georgia record, mentioning that Florida strain bass are not native to that part of Georgia, meaning Perry's record would have been a northern strain fish. As far as I know there are no northern strain bass surpassing the 15# behemoth from MA. All 15+# bass, I believe, are pure Florida strain, whether from FL, TX, or CA. Interesting anyway.

That's a very pretty hen Coho. Late, isn't it? Some years, not every, we had good numbers of large Coho's and I just loved them. They are aggressive, strong, and jump. The big males would dominate a tailout and I loved swinging a big streamer down to them. A wake would show and you'd have to wait for the bulge to overrun the fly. What fun. Even those that were rotted and black might take a crack at a streamer, unlike a chinook. We caught 'em from the lake front all the way to Linear. One year a bunch of big ones (9 - 12#)appeared off the mouth of Mill, and you could see them riding up inside the waves. They took streamers swung up those waves, and there they had room to run. Very cool.

A couple years ago I ended up with "bass elbow" and the Doc told me not to use it or I'd end up in surgery. I switched to left handed rod handling (casting with the right as usual) and after some re-programming of my left hand/arm (it wasn't easy), I fished effectively for a full year like that. It took that long before I could go back to fishing with the right.

There are a bunch of good threads over the last couple months. Also, search back through previous years.

Research and writing. I've got a bunch of papers to get through, people to contact, (and tackle to organize), before the end of Feb when the north sides of my ponds open up and the bass begin to appear on them. It's not that much time really.

I didn't know either. Thanks for letting us know.

Depends on how much stuff you need/want to carry. I use a backpack for shore fishing, 'cause I tend to carry a lot of stuff. I do have a strong recommendation. I haven't found a "fishing" type pack I like. I really like the backpacks from outdoor gear stores like EMS or REI. What I look for is something that has many small compartments in the front to organize all the terminal gear and peripherals. Any backpack will hold 3600/3700 boxes, but for me it was organizing the peripherals, and comfort, that matters. It also has to hold a water bottle and lunch. A good one of the type I'm talking about can be on the expensive side, but not too much more than a "good" angling pack, and there are MANY to choose from and they do go on clearance.

Here's a photo of a 15" male closely guarding a bed. However, none of the bluegills in this photo are in immediate danger, and they know it. Several are picking about the edges of the bed for loose eggs, off to the side and rear of the bass. The largest 'gill is in the most potentially dangerous spot, but he's too big to be concerned. The three bluegills behind the bass are in a very common arrangement, a semi-circular array directly behind the bass -the very safest location near that bass. Although the photo doesn't quite give the coverage in front of the bass, rest assured there are no 'gills within his strike window. It's pretty common to see 'gills move out ahead of a cruising bass, circle around behind, and watch it leave the area. Bass cannot catch 'gills at will, they must use honed judgment, appropriate actions and approaches, and take advantage of opportunities. As much as bass are "honed" to hunt bluegills, conversely bluegills are well honed to evade bass.

I agree that pumpkin watermelon can do it. But *** carries the SK skirts used in the KVD jigs. There is a dark bluegil color that looks like a spawning male 'gill. One of these years I'm going to get a kit and make my own.

Oh, your quick! Re-read my last post, I modified it.

For my Colorado ponds and small res (cover is mostly milfoil and coontail) I start the season with 8#. As weed beds develop I go to 12#. By midsummer, when weedbeds are densest, I am using 17#. If you only had one rod, I suppose you could go KISS and go with 10#. More seriously... I'm not suggesting a menagerie of jigs, but to use the blanket info I offered to choose what you do buy based on the waters you fish (depth, cover primarily), and your tackle (line weights). I think this info is far more useful than off the cuff suggesting brands or colors. Something I know Catt can get behind. I used Arky's at one time in weedy ponds, only to find that a cone head is SO much better. Better to know that up front I think. When choosing a jig for YOUR water it helps to know what the important parts are, and choose accordingly.

I agree with Catt, but... I hear wapiti (hey bro -love that siren song too), it can be confusing. There are reasons for all those styles. Here are some basics (this is KISS too -just going in a little ahead of the game): The basic controls are depth and speed how deep you need to fish and at what speed. You control these by jig weight, line diameter, and trailer bulk/buoyancy. 1). To choose jig weights, first start with proper line diam for the given situation (depth, clarity, and cover, mostly). Here's a basic table (depth vs line test) to give you a ballpark for a slow horizontal retrieve (line weight is across the top): 4 8 12 15 3 1/32 1/16 1/8 3/16 6 1/16 1/8 3/16 ¼ 9 1/8 3/16 ¼ 5/16 12 3/16 ¼ 5/16 3/8 15 ¼ 5/16 3/8 ½ 20 5/16 3/8 1/2 5/8 You won't need to have jigs in all these weights as, again, you can adjust body or trailer bulk. Having jigs of 1/8, ¼ 3/8 and ½ oz can cover a lot. You decide what you need based on line tests you use and water depths you commonly fish. Don't get too excited at the outset; your jig box will grow over time LOL. Also, when you need to punch through dense cover, you will have to go heavier, much heavier -3/4 to 1-1/2 oz. 2). Choose a head style for the cover you are fishing: Cone-shape for weeds, bulbous (Arky) for wood, football for rock. 3). Choose a hook matched to your line strength. Don't go Flippin with 50# braid with a light wire hook. Don't try to stick a big bass with a heavy iron on 8# mono. 4). Choose trailers (think bulk or buoyancy) plastics, pork, or none at all. 5). Choose a color that mimics (imitation is impossible) prey, usually fish or crayfish. Or, just choose one you can't live without and fish it with confidence. Black, white (if you've got shad), and a muddy color will go along ways. In general, pick your jigs in terms of component combinations heads, bodies, and trailers. All makers produce good stuff. Find something that floats your boat, choose appropriate components, and fish em. The fish will teach you the most.

Back to the world of humans, eh Muddy? ;D The strike window isn't like mousetrap, touch it and the fish strikes -they do have a decision to make on the lure -often whether it's actually food or not, or one of those dangerous things (lures). But, here's a mindblower for you... Bass and other fish have an extension of he lateral line, going onto the lower jaw, called the mandibular pores. It's been known in ichthyology circles, for many years, that stimulation of these hairs can cause an automatic feeding response. These hair cells are used at the last moments when a fish is closing on prey, to accurately coordinate their suction to the movements of prey. (I've always wondered if the lack of life in a "killed" lure is why many bass don't take it after they've inspected it up close.) I've attempted to trigger this reaction in spawning females in the past, and believe I may have been successful a few times. I use a ribbon tail worm and try to tickle a reluctant bass' jaw. When I used to target spawning females (I watch 'em now) I found that they wouldn't always take a worm allowed to fall to bottom -maybe they see it too much from other anglers. or maybe as Randall pointed out in the other post Bass Depth-Activity Level-Lure Choice that those buoyant egg laden females find it too difficult to gain depth. Whatever, they often won't do it. A swimming worm swum above them can work like a charm. In this case the worm is silhouetted and it's right smack in the bass' strike window -above and in front of her. If it doesn't do the trick, and I can get really close without spooking her away, the "jaw tickle" is worth a shot. Touch her anywhere else though and she's gone! I'm more apt to simply come back later, and stay completely out of sight.

The first time I threw a complete fly-line was at night.