Post-Super-Cold-Front Bass Fishing: VFJ18

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

ERROR ALERT!: TNFer, Larry Moffat, called attention to an error in the video. Very astute, and helpful, of him. On the sonar shots comparing the two years the fade-in labels "2017" and "2018" were accidently swapped. 2017 was the warm, or "normal", year; 2018 was the cold year. Thanks, Larry!

[@drewskyfasho]

Your channel has some of the best fishing analysis on KZbin, along with the tacticalbassin channel. Keep up the great work!

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

I'm tryin'. Wish I could do this full time. I have a list of topics to cover that, at this rate... my grandchildren will have to finish. :)

[@gtd360]

Hey just found your channel. I hope you keep it up you are doing a great job. I hope to someday see some things about brook trout someday. These fish are smarter than your average bass. Fishing with a ghillie suit might do it.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, BF. Thanks. I plan to keep it up. Just starting a new season here. Hopefully things will go a bit more smoothly on this second go. I would LOVE to do trout. I was a trout guy for a lot of years. Try this: Forget the ghillie suit, a clown suit will even work: On those flat calm pools, go ahead and just wade right in and spook them. Then, stand still until they get habituated to your presence; Ten minutes should do it. Move slowly, and, oh yes, you MUST dye your fly-line a dark color: I like Ritt Coco Brown. That line flash is a guaranteed spooker. Cheers, Paul

[@gtd360]

@@thenatureoffishing7591 I found shocking them works pretty well (did it for some surveys, and research). Never managed to get one on a hook though. And the ones up in the mountain of PA are beautiful, but coming across a eater keeper is sparse.

[@enuary]

Yes! another The Nature of Fishing video!

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

That's what I said too! Its nice to be back in the saddle.

[@CapeCodGirl77]

Awesome content, very informative. My brain has been like a sponge thanks to your channel. I thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, CCG77. Great to hear. Thanks! Feel free to share with your friends. Cheers, Paul

[@beowulf2285]

You make excellent videos. Thank you 👍🏽

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Thanks, Beowulf.

[@frankpalermo9307]

I'm hooked on your channel, no pun intended. Outstanding details and very eloquently explained. You have a gift, Bravo

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Thanks so much, Frank. Really happy to have you along. Yeah, this is the kind of channel I always wanted to see too, for a very long time. I miss the old Fishing Facts and In-Fisherman genre. Sometimes you've just gotta do stuff yourself. :) Thanks, again. Oh, and if you can, share TNF with like-minded folks. It'll help me/us get this channel off the ground. Cheers, Paul.

[@superslyko123]

I loved In-Fisherman. Damn we're old.

[@tacobassmike9757]

Sure hope it warms up there cant wait to see,another awesome and very educational vido of our best friends the large mouth....... Here in FLA the temperature is good. Would love for you to do a show down here sometime. Best of luck to you snd stay warm

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Thanks, Mike. The cold doesn't put me off much. I shoot video under the ice too. But, I've been sick the last couple weeks and haven't got out. I've put off my fishing videos so I can spend my time on my next documentary, and getting a Patreon page up. Hoping to get that doc out this spring. I'm getting close. -Paul

[@tacobassmike9757]

@@thenatureoffishing7591 Thanks so much for getting back from me. Hope you feel better snd really looking forward for your next video. Lol ice water thats something we drink here. Well God bless you snd keep it up. Mike (FLA)

[@unionse7en]

tip: If you "fair" the end of your tip ferrule mountings with some epoxy or resin, and then fair/smooth it well. the line rarely hangs on the tip. Most of the soothing can happen with a wet finger before it sets, the rest with sandpapers etc.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Thanks! Might be especially useful for braids, which if hung could be strong enough to break a rod tip.

[@JasonC1981]

Great video Paul! Those are some great looking bass you caught. Greetings from Wenatchee WA.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Thanks, Jason. Are you mostly in smallmouth country? I have previous few of them here. Miss em.

[@JasonC1981]

@@thenatureoffishing7591 yes lots of smallmouth and largemouth around here. I fish Banks lake and and Potholes Reservoir which is known for great largemouth fishing. It's great here since I'm on the dry side of the state.😁

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

That's great. Sounds like a nice place to be.

[@christophersawczyk]

Thanks for a great video. After watching, minute 17:30 to 19:15 I understand the effects of a bass metabolism due to cold weather, low energy, being discriminatory, etc. You worded it perfectly, but now Im wondering if perhaps you could have thrown a slow moving jig, closer to them, to adjust to their "state" you discussed. why the crankbait ? I'm looking forward to your discussion about presentation. In regards to bites at the end of your retrieval, happens to me throughout all seasons, and other species as well. It was my speculation, that they were following my offering, but something was off just a little for them not to commit. Ive watched underwater footage of a fluke swim and follow a jig for a long while until either deciding to turn off or eventually strike. Also, how the heck you can tell make from females. I only can tell when I catch a hog and assume it's a she..lol Love to hear your thoughts

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hey, Christopher. Thanks. And thanks for suffering through all those ads. Five of them! Yeesh! I was a bit shocked to see that many stuffed in there. I'm going to adjust that. Yes! I could have thrown a slower moving (less horizontal, or more vertical, presentation). And I brought some of those options with me. But the main point of this outing was to go ahead and give the bass the chance to surprise me. Those "winter" conditions, coming so early, gave me the opportunity to see if the bass might still respond to seasonally appropriate horizontal retrieves, despite the conditions. And I even went s bit further down the horizontal road, getting side-tracked by those bass chasing bluegills at the surface. This had me breaking out gear that asked even more of those "winter" bass: a bulged tandem SB, a buzzbait, and a walking topwater, just to see if the bass could do it. I pretty much knew it was futile, it certainly felt silly, but I had to try. Ended up burning my time, but certainly gave horizontal presentations a better than fair shake. The unseasonable conditions also gave me the opportunity to introduce to viewers the idea of photoperiod-entrained endogenous (internal) rhythms, that exist in all living creatures. But how they manifest themselves isn't easy to tease out, without looking mighty closely. (That's where the majority of my professional research experience was spent, in fact. And that burned several hundreds of thousands of dollars, and more than full time work ). The scientific literature, and some of my own experiences, have suggested that internal rhythm based spikes in activity occur in cold water in late winter/early spring, in several fish species, including bluegills and LMB. But, so far, this hasn't shown up in the fall, at least at the same temperature range; (It may occur earlier though). It's rare to get the chance to check this out. In mid-October here, my bass should be whomping CBs. So, if "winter" comes in mid-October, should we fish history? Or conditions? Most of the time, fishing conditions is the best bet. And it appeared to be the case here too. In general, I often use active horizontal retrieves, not bc they are the best option, but bc they offer a measure of the fish's aggression/activity/willingness to chase. In this case, sure, I could have used slower, or more vertical presentations and likely caught some bass. But I chose to make my adjustment by finding better conditions, instead. Decisions are always a gamble. But chasing heat is not new to me, and in the end it would be more telling if I could show that there were bass willing to chase where the water temps were higher. And that turned out to be so. And again, that wasn't new ground for me. Much of my fishing is done this way, running "experiments" to see if I can tease out something that exposes bass behavior: Behavior being the intersection between the fish's physiology, and the environmental conditions and circumstances. This is why I mostly fish alone too lol. The warning my brother used to give was: "Don't follow Paul into the woods. You'll come home all scratched up at day's end... and have no idea why." This channel is my opportunity to share with others what drives me, without them having to get too scratched up. :) That is, if they can manage to sit through the talk. Can't help it, there are a lot of variables to consider. How did Thoreau put it: There is only as much beauty available to us in nature as we are prepared to appreciate; And not a grain more." I must add, be careful how much you "prepare" bc there really is a lot to "appreciate". :) Thankfully, some factors are more important than others and when and where they weigh in depends on circumstances at hand. My job has been to get to know these factors, both the scientific background, then ground-truthed through my own experience. Truth is, taken in the whole, its all a lot bigger than I am. But, I'm givin' it hell! :)) Yes, I've had fish follow too, more a warm water thing I would suspect, and either fail to commit, or, often, commit at boat-side. And I think for the same reasons as in the video: speed and/direction change, approaching the surface (an "ambush point"), and likely it's time to decide before that "maybe food" gets away. :) Can't wait to talk presentation! Males vs females? I cannot tell either, except to make a guess by palpating for developing ovaries. They can be pretty apparent, and they sit well back from the stomach, just above and slightly before the vent. I have a graphic I used in VFJ#10 at 7:11 that shows where each lie. But, again, it's guesswork, esp on the males. Is it a fat male, or a non-reproductive female? Dunno really. Cheers, Christopher. Thanks for the excellent feedback and chance for conversation. Lots to learn from each other.

[@jimmycrackorn9218]

Awesome videos....so glad I found this channel. Is there anyway to go over bass behavior during lunar cycles?

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, Jimmy. Thanks! Another fisher who likes the details. Short answer to your question is... yes. The longer reply is... I've spent a bunch of time looking into lunar influence: in the scientific literature, the angling literature, spent three spawning seasons observing and taking data on the spawn, and spent two seasons, so far, shooting video footage of spawning behavior. Phew! :) Problem is, I have a docket of material to get through ahead of it. Lunar influence is definitely on the list, but... not at the top. If you haven't got there yet, see my first, introductory documentary, on the Spawn. In it, I give a short synopsis of lunar influence during the spawn. At this point, it appears that the spawn is the most promising place to expect lunar influence. The rest of the year, what little is out there, fails miserably when scrutinized statistically, despite the lore that circles the subject. It's a fascinating topic, truly, but... in my present understanding... not for the reasons most fisherman recognize.

[@bobbycampbell8657]

Thanks again for another great video. I've learned a ton about bass behavior from your videos. There are a few that I have watched multiple times.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, Bobby. Thanks. Great to hear. That's what I was hoping, that they will be referenced again and again. Every time we go out there's always a new twist. But the fundamentals are still at play. More to come.

[@hitaputt]

Hi Paul, Thanks for doing this, I just power watched about 6 of your videos and learned a whole bunch. Have you ever done a video explaining how your tube is set up and how you would recommend someone get started with a tube? Thanks, Mike

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, hitaputt. Golfer? My dad was a serious, although really fun, golfer. Anyway... thanks. Glad you enjoy my kinda content. I can't really do it another way. :) I would love to, and plan to, do one on float tubing. I've been at it a while so I think I can do a bang-up job on it. I'm not much of an "un-boxing" reviewer mostly bc I like to actually spend some time with things before I can actually say much really useful about them. Luckily, I've been fishing (and related stuff) for a long time. I've joked with others that my first review might just be on my 1981 Skyline 6005 spinning rod... or maybe my 1986 Shimano Bantam Mag reel. :) In all seriousness, yes, I'm dying to get to float tubing. It's on the list. Cheers, Paul.

[@SquatchT4R]

It appears to be a little bit of a premature winter in a lot of places. Lots of lake flooding here in Texas. Most are closed around me, and by the time they open it will likely be full blown winter. I’m hoping the fish are able to fatten up enough. Afraid that the newly flooded areas will give the bait fish too many places to scatter into. Here’s to hoping, right??

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, Charlie. It sure was here. I'm just breaking out my winter rigs today -my lighter spinning and casting rigs. Yeah, it might. That's one way we get big year classes of bass in my ponds, flooded shoreline cover. Mature bass often move in onto those flooded shorelines, even in cold water. And your bass should collect up at certain places. Pick a spot that is not too choked, and start checking the best (most choked) of those isolated cover spots. That's probably how I'd start. I'd be moving too, covering water. Yes, here's to hoping. Hey, hoping is what keeps us coming back. :)

[@bassinpropaganda9210]

You blow me away with your analytics great job, you are the new Bass Professor. If you ever get a chance get you info published. I would get great joy reading the materials you cover. Keep it up and thank you. By the way do you think you can cover extreme water temps one day. I live in AZ and some of these Smaller bodies can get in access of 94 degrees.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, BP. Thanks, glad you like the details. I've already got a ton of writing done, and plan to get things out in written form eventually. I plan to do extreme water temps; It's definitely a part of bass fishing. In the meantime, you could check out VFJ#5 (in the Video Fishing Journal Playlist). It was shot following a real hot spell. Although we dodge the bullet in that video, it does address summer conditions. We'll see how this summer pans out. We do get summer air temps in the upper 90s here, so we'll just have to see how it pans out. Our water temps rarely break 90 here though. What do you see on your waters when water temps get that high? Cheers, Paul

[@fishinks5320]

Hi Paul, great videos. One thing I've been curious about are the so-called "spawning colors" for sunfish like bass and bluegill. Is that actually a thing, or are the colors of a fish strictly dependent on the amount of sun they are exposed to?

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, FKS. Thanks. Fish coloration is a complex topic, as fish really do have the equipment to be nearly chameleon -like. They adjust colors for camouflage in variable lighting, and for social reasons. Sunfishes, like other fishes, do have "spawning colors" though, that are mostly social markers that identify gender and mood. Spawning colors in sunfishes are quite variable across species. LM's are the least obvious, but do have color changes related to spawning. In general, actively spawn-minded bass, esp females, become highly marked -I call it "leopard spotting", or "watermelon striped". Some make me chuckle they are so round-bellied and look for all the world like those round striped watermelons. :) SM males are highly variable in coloration, signaling mood. Bluegills are particularly complex in their spawning colors, colors that signal mood and gender. Males are generally bold in color (in various shades that signal aggression, and may be involved in thermoregulation), and females are generally an even iridescent blue/green/yellow and less patterned than males. Interestingly, male size is so dominant in bluegill spawning, that some small males will mimic females by coloration, darting in to mate with a female already engaged with a territorial male. The original term for this, named by the graduate student who first described this behavior, was "Sneaky F'ers". They're now just known as "Sneakers". Paul

[@ChuckCooper]

wow, you're really unraveling bass secrets here. thank you.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, Chuck. Working on it! I'll never get it all, but I'm givin' it hell. I blame it on a little rock bass I caught when I was 5. :) Cheers, Paul

[@Larry77777]

Hey Paul: Those undercuts along with the warmer wind pushed water gave the bass some ambush advantage. The underwater footage is great to see. Anyway, I have come to observe that you are a stickler for details, so allow me to point out labelling mixups in your video: At 5:44 the 48.1F was incorrectly labelled as 2017. At 5:49 the 54.4F was incorrectly labelled as 2018. The audio portion was correct. A great comparison study using that pond of yours!!

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, Larry. Ugh! That hurts to see. Thanks so much for telling me. I'll have to add to the description. Can't edit on YT. :( MY content could potentially be confusing enough, as it is. You're the only one who has commented on it though. Paul

[@BrownfamTV]

Have ya considered a boat like the sea eagle 285 inflatable pontoon boat. I love mine.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, Alan. I haven't seen that one. Nifty. Lots of options out there it seems. The ability to stand while fishing is certainly a big advantage. Thanks!

[@BrownfamTV]

It will get your feet out of the water for sure

[@AlexanderBronskyFishing]

Do you have any books I can purchase written by you? Thanks! Awesome video as always!

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, Alexander. No, not yet anyway. When I get the time I plan to do so. Best, Paul

[@toddgaines9446]

I could use your expert opinion. Lakes and Ponds around my area( Southern Indiana) have just thawed out after about 2-3 weeks under ice. Outside temps are slowly creeping back into the mid to upper 40's. I am impatiently waiting to get back out and do some bass fishing. What water temp should be my trigger that it's time? Love your videos, keep'em coming.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

As soon as the ice breaks! This can be a surprise to a lot of bass fishers. But, intrepid anglers are finding that there are bass to be caught all year round. I remember walking a pond bank and having a guy say, "Bass? Oh, you'll have to wait a while yet for those." I then caught one, and had to break it to him that that was #17 for the day! "Last Ice" has been known to ice fishers as the second best fishing of the ice season (behind First-Ice"). What I suspect is happening, and there's some physiology research that suggests this too, that fish come out of winter energized, with an endogenous rhythm kicked into gear. But, early on, you'll likely still have to be patient with those ice-out bass. Each water body can be different, of course, so you may want to hop around some to see which ones are in gear. Lures at this time are Ned Rig, Hair Jigs, and small light Blade-Baits and Lipless cranks, and hard Jerkbaits. As the water gets into the upper 40's, you can start experimenting with increasing your horizontal speed. Fishing lipless cranks, of all sizes, really comes in at this time. By the time things break 50F, things are often cooking. Burning a lipless, with sudden stops, can be really killer. Good news is, the sun is high enough to be able to heat things quickly, if given half a chance. Sounds like you are pretty much home free! Me... it's darn cold right now, so I'm going to try to get my last under ice videos for the year. Guess there's always something to do out there. Cheers, Paul

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Folks... While you're at it, to really flesh this experience out, you should also watch VFJ's #2, and #9. All three hit the fall crankbait bite but, more importantly, together they highlight the environmental conditions that run the show for our cold-blooded friends. In #9, we have a "normal" Fall and a classic fall crankbait bite; Should probably watch this one first. In #2, we have those classic Fall conditions hang on into November. What do you think happens? In #18, we have Winter come early. What do you think happens? Watch all three. It'll help chip away at our understanding of why biologists call temperature "The Master Factor". No, that doesn't mean it's the only factor, far from it. But, it's an underlying piece of the puzzle that has a major effect on bass behavior, and how we fish for them.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, McNubbins. Great question. It’s one I’ve been wanting to do a video on. Not the effects of elevation per say, as it isn’t directly relevant to most bassers. But what’s very relevant are the advantages the elevation and topography here provide in terms of teasing out bass’ behavioral responses to weather changes: temperature, lighting, and barometric pressure; Those primary conditions & circumstances. Looks like I’m going to have to bump this topic up to the front of the cue here. Thanks for the prompt. To your specific question: Ayup, I live at 8600ft elevation. My ponds are at 5300ft. I can actually see them from my house through binoculars. And, yes, I have looked into the effects elevation might have on aquatic systems. And… yes, you are right that temperature appears to be more significant than oxygen when considering elevation. In terms of oxygen, as elevation increases, partial pressure decreases, so air and water can’t hold as much dissolved oxygen. The amount is measurable, in direct comparison (at same temperature and other qualities). At both high and low elevations, tumbling streams, and stillwaters with much wind exposure and/or in-house vegetation, tend to be at or near saturation much of the time. The actual values though (in mg/L say) are lower at high elevations (~20% lower at 5000ft compared to sea level). How does this affect aquatic critters? Here's what I've been able to gather: -Fishes are known to be able to acclimate to low oxygen. Can bass do this? Presumably so, but might possibly be moot, in light of the LMB’s natural relationship with oxygen, coupled with the growth and max sizes seen in bass here at 5300ft elevation. -LMB, in particular, are highly flexible in terms of oxygen requirements, and tolerance to hypoxia; Amazingly so. So they happen to come pre-adapted, one could say, to low oxygen levels from the get-go. If you were going to choose a predatory fish to introduce at higher elevations, LMB would be a good bet. And, apparently, they do indeed do just fine. There is a limit of course, because, as we go much higher up, the climate changes. Because of the abrupt topography here, I can be in alpine tundra, perpetual snow fields, and even a few glaciers, and then home again, within a single day. But, climate, mostly temperature, is the limiting factor there. It’s all trout country from here on up, and it shades from brown and bows, to brookies, to cutthroats. -Bass growth here does not appear to be much different than in other northern bass populations. Our state record (11-6) is right in there with other northern LM records. As we go north, though, the size of record fish gets smaller. The smallest state records come from the northern plains states, just north of me. Elevation appears to be a lesser factor. Climate (temperature), productivity/fertility, and possibly management, are the key factors. In a few instances, of freak-sized northern bass (ME, MA, CT, MI), unique prey sources and unique localized climates also play a role. If there is a notable difference in my waters compared to lowland waters, it lies in how quickly we can lose and gain heat up here. Thin, high elevation, air allows more solar radiation to come through, increasing rate of heating. Thin air also gives up heat quickly. This, along with related climatic effects, and the fact that I concentrate my efforts on small shallow waters, provides a unique place to study temperature effects on aquatic systems, and behavior specifically. Again, behavior is the interaction between the animal’s physiology, the “machine”, and the environment around it, specifically, changes in the environment. In this way, I found that I’m in the right place to chip away at the variables, to get a better picture of how bass respond to environmental changes.

[@darrylshisler2636]

I know an odd sounding question, what gear do you wear to stay warm and dry? please include footwear and flippers. The reason asking is I recently purchased a seated floating tube and the local sporting stores had no clue in informing me. (Let me say the frustration I with, and I quote, “if you’re serious about fishing, you just need buy a bass boat”. Store number 2 response. “I don’t know anything about that, but we do sell kayaks and boats”. ) I do own heavy insulated water proof booted waders, but fear they would be way to heavy plus the size of boot I don’t think would support swimming flippers. I enjoyed your video and especially being able to test theories in such a realistic way. I also want to give you encouragement by continually appreciating your work and by applying the understandings, that you generously share, I have been able to benefit greatly in becoming a better angler.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hi, Darryl. Good to hear from you. And thanks! Glad to have another fishing nerd along. Ha! Float tubes, yaks, and boats all have their place. I have plans to do a piece on small-water fishing craft. A float tube is the most maneuverable and stealthy of ways to access... an entire small water body. If this is your first tube, I suspect you're going to love it. Feels weird at first, I did. But in short order I was pretty excited to have access to every square inch of real estate, and with such precision boat control. Now, it's like a part of my body. You'll see. Very... intimate fishing. Maybe that's why I spout stuff like "Honey" and "Sweet Pea" to my fish. :) Winter tubing: Yes! I really need to do something on tube safety. They are VERY safe, on relatively flat water. I don't even think about tipping over. The big dangers are white-caps, and... snagging your anchor, with wind, or in leaning over and... yanking! Don't do that. Dress: I wear heavy socks, thermal underwear bottoms, soft pants (don't need em bunching up or poking me as I can be on the water all day long), breathable (uninsulated) chest, or waist high (my seat sits high enough), stocking-foot waders. For footwear I bought a pair of neoprene "Flats" booties. Mine came from Bass Pro. Those in the fly-fishing catalogs can be pricey, but my BPS ones were $20 (a bit more now I see), and I've used them, including hiking in in them, for a decade now! Can't beat that. Pretty pleased I am. Upper wear is usually synthetic (poly) thermal long sleeve, either a fleece shirt, or down vest (if its really cold), and a lightweight rain shell (the camo thing you see me in). Again, if it's cold I also wear fleece fingerless gloves and a fleece hat. Kicking around can heat you up, but clouds, wind, and the dropping sun can chill me pretty quick. You'll have to see what your conditions mean for you. Your space, especially dry space, is pretty limited, so you have to be thoughtful, about ALL your gear. But then, the truck isn't usually too far away, just an inconvenient distance. A las, float tubes are slow. My fins are Creek Company float tube fins -the black and gray ones. These are the only ones I've ever had. They are full length fins, which provide strong propulsion and instant responsiveness (precise control). Some have complained that those little ankle and shorty fins don't work as well, but I can't speak to that. Definitely do some research. There are some pretty cool tube forums out there. I see CC doesn't have mine on their site anymore, but I see they are still available on-line in the stores. I've found CC responsive when I've needed replacement parts: I recently replaced the ankle straps when I lost one overboard! Don't ask. :) I also once lost an entire fin; It fell overboard along a steep bank when I jumped out to relieve myself. (I've been thinking about just getting catheterized, but my wife would probably stop supporting my fishing.) I lost that fin on the far side of a pond and, let me tell you, two fins are needed! :)

[@darrylshisler2636]

I understand the need for two, I was recently kayak fishing and some poor decisions on a reaction I ended up breaking one side of the paddle. We had paddle about 4 miles down the shore line from drop in. My saving grace was that I made the decision of working harder by paddling into the heavy wind to take advantage of the natural drift while fishing to take me back to drop point. Fortunately it did work to my favor and still made it back before dusk. Later into this summer I severely injured my left shoulder over exerting an odd angle push (mechanic) requiring surgery to rebuild the entire rotor cuff. Paddling for the next 6 to 9 months is not an option. (Actually fishing has had to come to a stop for two months) my first thoughts were, it is no longer a want but now a need to have the setup you fish from. I hope to get back on the water before icing, but I fear north east Ohio is not too behind the weather you have experienced. By the way, the photo you shared from your home above the clouds was beautiful! A nice bonus view. I am using my down time to further my study of understanding how fish live/react. I came across a book title that was praised high for its in-depth study of bass. “Knowing Bass” written by Keith A. Jones PhD. My search for this book has found prices from $150.00 used to almost $3,000.00 like new condition. All that to ask, have you read this book? If yes, is the knowledge shared worth the investment. (My budget only supports the lower of the price range with wife’s permission. Lol) seriously though, I am inspired by your studies and value your input.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Ouch! Ugh... yeah, connective tissue damage can really take time to heal. I'm an archer too and have had to be darn careful with my shoulders. Still, I've had a tweaked cuff for a good 6months now that has me doubly careful, and hoping for the best. I've also had a couple bouts of epicondylitis ("Golfer's Elbow"), which in my case was caused by wrestling large bass; My Doc's first case of "Bass Elbow". I had to learn to fish left-handed. That was... interesting. In some of my first video's I was still fishing lefty, so I was commenting to that effect here and there in those videos. No one did ask why I was seeming confused as to which hand was to handle which job. :) I do have Keith Jones' book. Bought it when it first appeared. It sold out, and the price sky rocketed. However, a little while back they made another printing, and it went back down to $20. Keep your ear to the ground. Is it worthwhile? Tough call. For me, a definite yes. It's really the only truly scientific treatment of bass written for the angler audience. It will definitely give you stuff to think about as you fish, or lie in bed at night thinking about the trip you'd just had. :) I've heard some people say that it was "over their head". It's a bit technical and scientific, but presented for a lay audience pretty well. As with any reading, though, background is helpful to get the most out of things. The book focuses, mostly, on the sensory systems in bass (and other fish that might shed light on bass). Keith Jones work (following his university research stints) has been in the lure development world, So, the book's focus is primarily how fish perceive and, to some extent, make "decisions". Anyway... No. I'd wait for it to be re-printed. There's so much practical ground to cover in fishing, that, unless you've covered that ground, you might be better off putting that money elsewhere. My... opinion, without knowing you, only.

[@darrylshisler2636]

Thank you. I will keep diligent in finding a better price. My thinking, is that bass are one of the most common known fish that marks the pivot point of predatory vs prey. My hope is in understanding the science of bass, will also give me greater “static” knowledge on understanding the balance of the fishes underwater world in which it operates. I am fairly fortunate in that I have always practiced being functionally ambidextrous all my life so transitioning physically comes fairly natural. Of course it adds another thought element when buying reels... do I want left or right? 🤦🏼‍♂️ Thanks again for your answers, take care off that bass elbow and shoulders. I know now that as I get older, taking time to stretch before and during fishing will improve my later quality of life. I will look forward to your next video. Stay warm and safe! (I know that I would enjoy a more in-depth video of your set-up and safety precautions if you went that direction)

[@fgor]

Can you recommend a thermometer to measure water temperature? Thanks man, awesome video as always .

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hey, Felipe. Thanks! I use two different ones, besides the surface temperature on my sonar unit: What's called a "stream thermometer" I pick up at fishing shops, usually fly shops. These are glass with red alcohol in a protective case; $10-$20. To be sure the one I buy is calibrated, I look at all of them on the rack, to see if they are reading the same. These are adequate for fishing and I can clip one to my anchor line, or to a fishing rod to cast out, to get temperature profiles. I also use a better quality dial type thermometer that reads in single degrees F, and is calibratable. The one I've been using is called the Dial-Temp, that I order direct from Omega Engineering. The model I get is the K-79-4, that reads from 25F to 125F in single degree graduations. It's about $22.00. These can't be banged around so much, so I don't drop these down on an anchor line, or chuck em out on a fishing rod. Guess I'll have to do a piece on taking and using temperatures in fishing. I'm always a bit cautious in suggesting people run right out and buy a thermometer, bc of the concern that they might assume that a given number means something consistent, or try to "fish by numbers". There are specific numbers that have greater influence, and on a larger time scale, such as the upper and lower metabolic limits (~50F, ~80F), as well as spawn initiation (~60F). Temperature may rightly be called "The Master Factor", but it does not stand alone by any means. Security and food are primary, but heat influences physiologic performance of cold blooded creatures that influences (rather than controls) activity. Bass are particularly robust in terms of handling temperature change, and water is pretty stingy in taking and giving heat, so don't be too quick to write them off with the whim of some weather. It can take a heck of a change to knock bass of their horses, if they're onto vulnerable prey. Problem is, most bass aren't right on vulnerable prey much of the time. So it appears that they are more greatly influenced by temperatures when there isn't a big payoff in store. How greatly? I'm still trying to figure that out. What I've done is to take temperatures in many conditions, for years, to learn how water takes and gives heat. It's now pretty quick for me to assess heat, and then what it MIGHT mean. Taking temperatures, that mean something, takes time out of our fishing. Worthwhile? I think so. But so is keeping your lures wet. You'll need to decide where to spend your precious fishing time. I'd say most useful temps can be temperature profiles, and shoreline temps in relation to incidence and wind. As well as identifying just where you are on a seasonal basis, since we cannot be on the water all time tracking such stuff. Realize too, that the larger the water body the more complicated heat distribution can get. And, the smaller the water, the greater the likelihood of short term weather effects.

[@fgor]

@@thenatureoffishing7591 thanks for such detailed response, I really appreciate it. Another thing that intrigues me related to seasonal bass behaviour is if those key temperatures you mention, the ones that mark the start of a season for bass, are universal. What I mean is, I fish in South Mexico, and it's obvious that our winters are far hotter than yours, so I wonder if our bass behave the same way? What happens if our waters never reach 40° F for instance? Does that mean that maybe our bass spawn throughout the entire year? This questions instrigue me a lot because, all I see is American KZbinrs, and I prepare my visits to the lake based on that advice. But by the time I try to apply the knowledge on the water, bass are behaving in a totally different matter. Anyways, thanks again man, your channel is really inspiring and informative, keep it up.

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Felipe, I have been curious about that same question, and have read quite a bit of the scientific literature on sub-tropical largemouths. I also had the opportunity to fish for them in The Philippines. Here's the gist of what that research suggests: Largemouth bass are not well adapted to sub-tropical climates. Sub-tropical bass populations have geatly extended spawning seasons, lacking the temperature drops that stave off, and synchronize, spawning in the north. Same is actually true N to S across the state of Florida, with spawning seasons much longer in S Florida, where it's dipping into the sub-tropics. The bass that do best in sub-tropical waters is the floridanus species (now considered a full species). Sub-tropical waters do not get very cold, and some will stay above 70F all year round, with the majority of the year above 80F. This was true in the Philippines lakes I fished. I took temperature profiles there and found mid to high 80'sF (30+C) temps from the surface down into 20+ feet of water. During the summer, those are mostly deep water fisheries. But, bass being bass, they operate in many lake zones. Interestingly, what research has been done, suggests that M. floridanus has very similar physiologic temperature restrictions as M. salmoides, with some potential stress occurring at temperatures in the mid 80s. The result, in the sub-tropical waters looked at, shows that bass grow fast but don't live very long, essentially burning out before obtaining the ages they might within their native range. Apparently, spawning is especially costly, energetically, in the sub-tropics. Many photos I've seen of sub-tropical bass often shows quite thin fish, this is common in the state of Florida too, during the summer months. It appears to me that many fish do not get enough food to compensate for their metabolic needs. The really big fat sub-tropical bass we see images of, and I got to see in one high altitude Philippines lake, tend to be mostly from high elevation waters that have more moderate temperatures. And, they being sub-tropical, they can crank out a LOT of prey with multiple or extended spawning seasons for prey species too. Still, "winters" were short in the Philippines, with temperatures cranking back up into the 80s pretty quickly. Although there hasn't apparently been any research done there, from what I could gather, spawning appeared to begin in right after winter and continued for half the year. According to research done in Puerto Rico, bass stopped spawning because they had to have a period of time to rebuild body tissues. Then, they got the call again and began spawning again. Thus, apparently, they burn out young. It seems the farther south they are introduced, the poorer they do, with the most viable populations existing at higher elevations. I'd be curious about the bass in your waters. Does any of this jive with what you see in your waters?

[@thelastcast5432]

When is there going to be a new video ?????

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

Hey, TLC. Thanks for asking. The short answer is, although I'm responding to questions and comments, I haven't released a video in a while bc I'm in the thick of getting my next bass behavior documentary episode out. Shooting for release sometime in March. After I get that off my plate, I can do some fun fishing-related stuff. I have a list of topics I’m dying to get to. Believe me, this hiatus… hurts! To kick off The Nature of Fishing, a couple years ago now, I took a year off of work while in transition between jobs. During that time, I shot and produced my Spawn Behavior documentary, and several of my fishing vids. Then, at the exact time I “went public” with The Nature of Fishing, YT imploded, and they essentially closed their monetization system to new creators. It took the entire following year for YT to right itself. During that time, I’ve gone back to work, part-time now. It actually hurts to work so hard with so little to show -at least I’m terms of growing TNF. I’m still out in the field, documenting bass behavior. That won’t change. Getting less fishing and editing time in though. That hurts. My priority for TNF is the depth of the content. I’ve spent a lot of years figuring out what goes on under that water, and that’ simply where my passion is. I have no plans on watering that down. The majority of my time for TNF is spent in field time (mostly filming bass behavior and the factors that drive it), research time (there’s always new material coming out that refines what we know), reviewing literally hours and hours of footage, and putting it all together to produce… the kind of stuff I’d like to see: High content, mostly feature-length pieces, that I’m satisfied with. I’m still getting about 100 subs a week right now, so I’m somewhat heartened that YT is still a viable option for me. Some pro video, and fishing, folks, who I consulted with early on, told me I should really be looking at other venues besides YT. I'm giving YT a shot first, bc I like the control self-publishing provides. But, I can't go broke doing it. My goals for the project are too labor intensive to be just a labor of love. One pro said, flat out, that this kind of content "should not be given away for free". Gee, this is sounding kindof... like a rant. :) It's not. Since you asked the obvious question, I’m just being up-front about where I'm at in this project -a couple of years in. So… back to the short answer: I’m close to releasing my next documentary episode. Yay! And I'll finally be firing up the Patreon page that I’d planned to set up when I first started TNF, and see if there is enough interest out there in the YT world to support this kind of channel. Cheers, Paul

[@BigNoob1012]

you live at 8600 feet? Thats super high up! Have you looked into how the altitude and oxygen level affect bass behavior up there? I understand you mentioned that you are fishing at 5600 feet, but still that is pretty high up. I assume that the elevation is more important due to temperature issues as opposed to oxygen/ altitude but regardless I was wondering if you ahd thought about it.

[@christophersawczyk]

Way to long between videos! Thanks again

[@thenatureoffishing7591]

It sure is. It's been killing me! Hope they are worth the wait. I'm afraid that as my production quality, and supporting visuals, increases, its going to take longer to get them on air. And there's LOTS more I'd like to be able to do along those lines.