RoLo

I consider myself self-mentored, so if you can agree with most of what I believe, you're obviously a graduate from the "School of Hard Knocks" Roger

Okay buddy you got me good, but you'll also be a geezer one day soon ;D Welcome to the Bass Resource forum Yeah, I live on Walk-In-Water, but due to boat troubles and lousy service from Hoppys Marine, Haines City, I haven't been on any water in 3 weeks. Anyway, The Walk has been very slow during December and January, but about three weeks ago the bass fishing really began picking up for Lois & I, and I'm sure it's only better now (barring a cold-front). The best tournament weights of the year are normally produced during late April/early May. There's just too much ground to cover, so it would be best if you shot me a PM with your specific questions. Roger

I'm not sure I understand your question. As the water temperature rises, water becomes increasingly lighter and more porouos (less dense). Eventually it will be unable to hold ample dissolved oxygen to support life, the cause of massive fishkills. An oxygen-deprived bass is in big trouble, shows signs of stress, and will die unless he finds water with at least 5 ppm. My theory is this, if you could deliver 10 ppm O2 to that same bass, you'd remove signs of stress and the bass would no longer be interested in altering its location. Though I didn't mention it, there is an upper metabolic limit beyond which basal rates are racing, like a person on amphetamines. This I believe is the reason why bass living south of their natural range die prematurely of thermal burnout, but that's a whole other ballgame. Roger

The greatest thermal variance is in the uppermost layer (epilimnion), which could possibly range from the high 50s in the panhandle to nearly 100 deg in the Everglades. In Canada the hypolimnion budget is 39 deg F but in Florida it's usually closer to 65 deg F. In my opinion, bass don't seek temperature change and don't understand relief, but most anglers take exception to my view. When bass are shutdown by water climate, I picture them slowly losing altitude in the weed bed, finally ending up on the lake floor, it's physiological. From all appearances, only time provides relief. Under normal conditions, oxygen shouldn't be a problem and usually isn't. About 25 years ago the fishing community went through an "oxygen meter" craze. During that fad every article you picked up espoused the importance of dissolved oxygen content. Like most crazes, that one too faded into oblivion. When a body of water is stressed by low oxygen content, bass are forced to remain shallow, because deeper water contains less dissolved oxygen, not more. I don't know what they do, but I'll be home trying to recode my stock-timing model ;D From what I've read and heard, there's no shortage of anglers who can catch bass after a major cold-front, but I'm not one of them. In my view, barometric pressure is purely coincidental to other more important events (not a popular view). Let's break it down: The difference between a normal barometer and a low barometer is about 0.77 lb / sq in. If a bass moved just 1.8 ft upward in the water column, the drop in body pressure would be identical to a major swing in barometric pressure. Somehow I can't force an interest in barometric activity. Lois and I have hauled ling and whiting from water over 100 feet deep. When they made it topside, their eyes were bulging out of their head and their stomachs were in their mouth. Now THAT'S pressure For the natural lakes in Florida, your most productive depth range is right on the snot. But not if you were fishing the TVA impoundments. If you asked me to guess, I'd have come pretty close. I would've said between noon and 3 pm (max solar gain). As for August, 85 deg and clear blue skies, that's a broken record Lee, I'm mad, we've got a shootout in progress and my boat has been in the shop for 3 weeks. I was supposed to pick it up today, and now it's Thursday. They finally read my work order and now I'm waiting for a livewell impellor. Whatever happened to service? Roger

Before your brief hiatus from the forum, I remember you mentioning the mismanagement woes on the Colorado. It looks like man will never learn that "no management" is often the best management. In the final analysis, they'll probably realize in retrospect that their beloved chubs and suckers actually benefitted from populations of pike and smallmouth. Just recently I was speaking to a fellow who lives in my retirement community. He hails from Ohio and was telling me about some reservoir there where northerm pike completely wiped out the walleyes (yeah right). Then I asked him, "So what are the pike eating Larry?" I'm not sure he got it. Roger

The spawning season in Florida can span a period entailing up to half a year (December through May, some years into June). In my opinion, the spawn is not tied to water temperatures as most believe, but is tied to photoperiod similar to the vegetable kingdom. That's the best question of all, and one that fishermen prefer to ignore. Maybe I've got it all wrong, but I don't think we should picture any lake with bass shuttling back-and-forth between shallow and deep water. Instead, we should picture a lake with bass simultaneously found in all parts and all depths above the thermocline/oxycline. The most catchable bass are those who happen to be located where current conditions are most suitable. In due time, optimal fishing conditions visit every part of the lake. Alas, if all your bass came from the 6-foot contour line that's sure to create the illusion that all bass migrated to the 6-foot depth line (well maybe...or maybe not) Hey, nobody likes a wiseguy As opposed to popular view, I think that the suspension phenomenon dovetails into my belief that bass resist depth change. Bass have a swim bladder (not all fish do) and that would indicate that they were not designed for frequent or rapid depth change. If a bass lying 6 feet of water begins to punch out across the lake, he'll remain suspended until he rejoins the bottom in 6 ft of water. Suspended bass are notoriously difficult to catch, and that may be largely due to their preoccupation. 4. Why do some bass choose to stay shallow year around and some look for deep water? Some bass are just stupid I guess ;D I don't know the answer, but it's a marvel of Mother Nature. She has ways of gleaning maximal utilitization from every lake. Roger

Nice post Paul, We all learn from everyone else, but what we do with that mountain of data has a way dividing us into different camps. I may be wrong, but I don't believe that it's 'sunlight' per se that spooks bass. On the contrary, I believe that bass welcome sunlight because it enhances their vision underwater. Instinctively, bass probably sense that they too are more visible and tend to locate on the edge of shade peering over sunlit water. If catching bass is more difficult in sunlit water, that's testament to the fact that sunlight is a benefit to bass. Bass in clear sunlit water enjoy maximal vision and will react to everything they see. We call that behavior spooky, but bass call it the cat's meow (we're at a disadvantage, not bass). I agree with that entire list, and might only add the use of neutral colors, nothing gaudy. But why are we toning down our delivery if sunlight is the culprit? Sunshine does not cause torpor or indifference, oppositely solar gain enhances the activity of sunfish (all life). On the other hand, a downtrend in water temperature can and will cause a downtrend in bass activity and bass disposition. It is a matter of degrees, and a short-lived cold-front with a small temperature differential (difference in air temp and water temp) will barely affect bass even in shallow water. Conversely, bass in deep water (rare in my parts) won't be affected at all by most cold-fronts, save a prolonged cold-front with a sharp temperature disparity. I was born in New Jersey and the lion's share of my bass fishing took place in Jersey, New York and Ontario. I've also lived six years in Georgia and going on ten years in Florida. Bottom line, I've been fortunate in being exposed to northern-strain, Florida-strain and intergrade bass. Aside from the obvious difference in growth rate, there's a significant difference between the attitude and behavior of northern-strain and Florida-strain bass, and it's not illusory, it's blatant. I'm not at all surprised, because I'm pretty much on my own upholding this premise. But just as you're from Missouri on the ramifications of a cold-front, I've yet to be convinced that fish experience any discomfort stemming from water temperature alone. Human beings are warm-blooded animals and need to maintain a body temperature of 98.6 deg F otherwise die. To warn us that we're getting out of safe range our body will produce discomfort (too hot or too cold). In stark contrast, bass have no body temperature to maintain, so there's no need for a warning system that causes discomfort. While ice-fishing on Budd Lake, New Jersey a yellow perch jumped out of the basin we shaved in the ice to store our caught fish. When I finally noticed the perch it was apparently dead and frozen to the ice. I had to kick the fish a couple times to break the frozen hold. To my amazement, about the 10 minutes later that perch was swimming in the basin, looking none the worse for wear. However, when water temperatures reach an extreme they're usually accompanied by other phenomenon. For instance, even though bass in coldwater may feel no discomfort, frigid water temperatures reduce their metabolism and digestion and depress their aggression, a time when a dead minnows may be more successful than a live minnow. Torpor causes no discomfort, it's no more painful than slumber. At the opposite end of the spectrum is hot water, and though it may not cause discomfort per se, warm water has a lower saturation point for dissolved oxygen. In Florida at least, oxygen is usually not a problem in water under 90 degrees, in any case, oxygen-deprivation is a secondary stressor exacerbated by warm water, but the warm water per se causes no discomfort. I'm not aware of any ichthyological study confirming the migration of bass triggered solely by thermal discomfort that was totally unrelated to other stressors such as oxygen-deprivation. I have read the results of poorly conducted studies that would leave the reader with that impression, but none that you couldn't easily poke holes in. I'll close with a little something I've learned about 25 years ago, and it's done a pretty decent job of keeping me out of trouble. It's founded on water temperature trend, but gives the angler a clue as to the current direction of that trend. POSITIVE Air temperature greater than the water temperature, regardless of the value in degrees. NEGATIVE Air temperature lower than the water temperature, regardless of the value in degrees. Roger

My first car (shotrod) was a brand new 1961 Ford Starliner costing $2,700 (Overdrive 3:89 to 1 differential - 390 cu in engine - pushbutton radio) 8-) Roger

Yes Anthony, even in crystal clear water I use PowerPro moss-green braid in 20 to 40-lb test. When I was a kid, my dad maintained a tropical fish tank. The guppies often swam around with a streamer of stool sometimes longer than the guppy. The disappearance rate of guppies with baggage in tow, was no different from the other guppies. Fishermen anguish over line-visibility, yet those same fishermen have no misgivings about split-rings, snap-swivels, weed-guards & treble hooks, which are far bulkier and far more intimidating than a single thread. As Maude's mother used to say, "picture this": A feeding bass notices a Heddon Super Spook. In the gin clear water he clearly sees the two large treble hooks dangling beneath the surface creature. The bass decides to accept the snap-swivel and both large treble hooks, but THEN he notices a single filament streaming from the nose of his next meal....That Does It, ALL BETS ARE OFF!! To be sure, bass are harder to catch in crystal clear water because the flaws in our lure delivery are also crystal clear. In gin clear water there are a few things we can do to reduce the hoax factor. Most importantly is to use a finer diameter line, but the reason is not to reduce line visibility but to obtain more natural, unfettered lure action. The effect of line drag is covert but cumulative. It's also helpful to use a smaller size lure, and one with neutral, non-gaudy colors. Finally, stepping up the retrieval speed in clear water also helps to obscure the flaws in delivery. Hope that helps. Roger

All prejudices aside, I'd much rather eat chain pickerel than black crappie :-* The only drawback is two rows of Y-shaped bones called "whisker bones". They can be cut-out but not without a loss of delicious flesh, or the fillets (fine bones included) may be ground-up for chowder. I've eaten more than my share of pickerel fillets, and would describe their flesh as white, sweet and tasty. BTW: That's a real nice pickerel you're holding there 8-) Roger

This thread was slowly beginning to take shape, but then when I returned last night I noticed that it grew a couple pages and the continuity had gotten a little ragged. PAUL, Early-on you mentioned that bass are "sunfish" which might explain their fondness for shallow water, sunlight and heat. You were onto something then. But now you're saying just the opposite, that bass are not affected by the cold air in a cold front, but move to avoid the sunlight. Never forget, bright sunlight without an arctic front will not create the same negative fishing conditions associated with a cold front, you need that cold air. I've decided to skim over a few key points that have gotten skewed or obscured. 1) Sunlight does not bother the eyes of bass, that's why Nature didn't supply them with eyelids. When bass go underneath a dock, they're not hiding from sunlight, they using the shade to conceal their broad outline (ambush). Bass, especially large bass prefer the bright midday sun for optimal visibility. 2) Althouth sunfish do not actually pursue sunlight or heat, they enjoy the solar gain and bright light a warm-front will bring to them. Again, sunny middays are deemed the best time of day to boat a trophy bass. 3) Water doesn't cool off as fast as air, but that doesn't mean it doesn't change the temperature of water (air's the only thing that does) Cold-fronts are accompanied by stiff winds that drive the cold air temperatures into the water surface via wave action. Due to the greater weight of the chilled surface water it promptly trickles down until it reaches its depth of equilibrium (equal water density). The process is quickly repeated, the new surface layer is chilled, then trickles down to its equilibrium depth. Bass ensconced in very deep water (rare in Florida) may not be affected for a day or two, and if it's just a minor cold-front, they won't be affected at all 4) To say that "a bass is a bass" no matter where you are is invalid. As you would expect, the optimal temperature range for Florida-strain bass (75 to 85) is about 10 deg higher than the optimal range for a northern-strain bass (65 to 75). This differential is the cause of many arguments. 5) Given adequate oxygen, Bass feel no discomfort in any water temperature, therfore they never have to relocate on the basis of water temperature. I seriously doubt that bass would even have a clue as to which direction to swim. The direction to warm water and cold water is a moving target, and it changes according to a host of interactive variables. 6) More important than the static temperature value is the direction of temperature change, which will determine the disposition of bass. This is one more reason why it's not logical for bass to seek a given temperature, which would be analogous to chasing it's own tail. . 7)Technically, largemouth bass are not schooling fish such as crappies and walleyes. But they do gravitate to the same foodshelves, jump coves and staging areas, so they're commonly found in loose "aggregations". Typically, the smaller the bass the larger the school, and the larger the bass the smaller the school. This is population dynamics and is based on simple math. With each passing year, the population of the year-class diminishes. In fact, the very largest bass in the lake will often be a solitary fish (last of the Mohicans) or may belong to a small pod of 2 or 3 bass representing all that's left of that year-class. Roger

I agree with Russ, we tend to expend a lot of mental energy on peripherals and window dressing. That's fine & dandy, as long as we can keep our eyes-on-the-ball: (Fine-tuning location - Lure choice - Depth & Speed of Delivery) Where we do part company though is at the "depth sounder". That's my main man and without it I feel like a blindman without a cane. On familiar lakes, I can easily run my route without a GPS but need the depth sounder for closure. I want to actually see the structure or cover that brings me there. Also, I might decide to look for a wad of baitfish, to check-out the canopy of a newly fallen tree, etc, etc. Florida is currrently engaged in an all out war against hydrilla (what else is new). I gave a friend of mine the cooridinates to a healthy stand of hydrilla and the next time I seen him he said, "You got anymore good spots like that?". I knew immediately what that meant, and sure enough the next time I mounted those numbers, the sonar was not marking any hydrilla! Watch it Buddy, I still have a 10-foot pram and oars in my garage ;D She can go, where no bass boat has ever gone Roger

I don't think of these products as "attractants". I like the slime coat MegaStrike imparts and think fish might hold on a little longer if a soft plastic has a pleasant taste, but maybe not! : 8-) I'm sure you're correct. Today's angler has every advantage on his side, so in sympathy for bass I gift them that 2/5 second : ;D Roger

I don't think even you or I are that old Roger, but it's a great story, and who's to say you wrong? Ronnie Too many detectives, I can't get away with nothing around here ;D

When I first switched to braided line I used various clear leaders including Trilene XT, Fluorocarbon, Trilene Big Game, et al. Eventually I tried fishing without any leader and never looked back. If there's any reduction in the number of strikes, I completely missed it. A leader now, is the farthest thought from my mind (bass are bulls of the woods). So I guess my answer would be 0" leader Roger

I don't use any scent for bass fishing. Although whiskered fish like carp, suckers & bullheads have a keen sense of smell, bass are basically sight-feeders. Roger

Actually that's me in that photo, and that's my dad holding the bass he bought from my Uncle George. They never told me what it weighed, they said it was a secret.

Exactly. When either of three things happen, you can boat a northern pike using 8-lb nylon monofilament. 1) The pike is a hammer-handle (bay snake) 2) The lure is "outside" the pike's mouth (out of harm's way) 3) The line is nestled in the space between two teeth acting like a stripper guide (out of harm's way) Even if you're using 40-lb fluoro leader, the INSTANT the line is straiffed across the bottom teeth of an adult pike/musky, it's Goodbye Charlie. Ironically, you'll get away without wire until you hook-up with that Gator of a lifetime, then poof he's gone!! It's quick, it's silent but it's far from painless :-[ Roger

Truthfully Chris, there's no clear view of the angler's hand, which makes that photo a tad suspect Roger

The car in that photo looks like a 1957 Ford Fairlane, but George caught his bass in 1935...Imagine the odor Roger

You're welcome Paul. Well, we may not know what bass are doing, but their vertical position in the weed bed discloses a lot about their current disposition. In the unabridged report, post-frontal bass were observed firsthand with their noses against the bottom and their tail sections angled upward. Even without the article in front of me, and even though it was many years back, it's not something you could ever forget (at least I won't). The position and attitude of bass during a warm-front was described in detail, day-by-day (Day-1 - Day-2 - Day-3 - Day-4). Ditto for a cold-front. However, a full-blown warm-front is generally living on borrowed time after around the 4th or 5th day. With each passing day, the sky grows hazier and hazier due to the cumulative buildup of moisture, then around the 4th or 5th day a thunderstorm is generally in the offing, the death knell of the warm front. The wind direction ultimately shifts into the northern hemisphere and cold winds will usher in dry air and cloudless skies. This takes us back to Day-1 of a cold-front with bass ON the bottom, and the beginning of a new vertical cycle. I should indicate that vertical positioning is basically (but not exclusively) a summer pattern that applies essentially to the vegetative zone (littoral zone). It goes without saying, anyone who's been bass fishing for more than one season already knows that nothing is etched in stone. Nonetheless, I've found that an understanding of vertical positioning as it relates to frontal conditions continually unlocks important pieces of the ongoing "fishing puzzle" Roger

Let's just say I'm 'pike-crazy' : Lake Irr, Austria is the most famous water in the world for northern pike. Five of the all-time top 100 pike came from Lake Irr, Austria. One caught in 1980, tipped the scales at an unofficial 57 lb 5oz!!! Trust me, the guy in the photo below was not using fluorocarbon leader http://64.226.208.65/scans/_PikeWR.jpg Roger

Oh yeah Florida waters are filthy with bowfin, derisively called "mudfish". In all honesty though, bowfin hit the same lures as bass, strike like bass and their fighting ability is roughly on par with smallmouth bass! Nevertheless, bowfin are very muscular fish and a real nuisance to unhook, so I'd just as soon pass. Roger

Another Rage Tail Shad video>> http://www.***.com/descpageSFTSTRIKE-SKRS.html#

Re-welcome aboard It's funny, but I recognized your avatar and was looking for the explanation Roger