How to make a fishing gauge: Bad/Fair/Best

[@bigjohn860]

The mood of my wife lets me know when to go fishing.

[@LetsCrappieFish]

😂🎣

[@Captain_Kdawg]

Lol😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@josemarrero7982]

Been using this as a reference since i got into fishing! 😂

[@jimplantinga6288]

Right! Now we need a Gauge to tell us when the "catching" is good...LOL 😅

[@joedirt9600]

😂😂

[@briangrigsby4688]

Steve, I hope you are still reading some of these comments. I am a teacher in Southern Indiana. When I saw your video I thought it would be a great classroom experiment. I love to fishing and many of my students fish as well. They loved making the fishing gauge and they watch it daily. The only bad thing is that we can't go fishing when the fishing gauge says it is good!! Thanks man! Hope all is well!

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

that's great that you introduced this to your class. this is something I remembered from back in my grade school teacher.

[@mikebarnett4471]

Field trip?

[@davemacgyver573]

Little Johnny says it's also a great gauge to decide which day is best to play hookie. Lol

[@davidpritchett855]

Class we will be doing some field experiments on the feeding habits of.bass for the afternoon

[@thebentonfamily2310]

I know this is a old video, but I needed a reminder for the fishing jar trick. I knew it growing up in Louisiana. We always learned it the old way maybe because we was poor. But, we didn’t know it. This old school stuff is more reliable than any electronic out there.

[@tommycollins7254]

I to have been making these fish gauges since I was a kid, great fun, I have them at work and it draws a lot of interest! Keep up the good work Steve, YOUR A GREAT AMBASSABOR FOR OUR SPORT!

[@Robert-kk1cn]

Nice ! The Best time to go fishing is whenever you can !

[@BobWiley-dn2gf]

Because its gooooooodddd fer ya 😉

[@theoutdoorswithdave2352]

I realize this is an older video, looks cool. Although I really don't need it, all I need is the urge to go fishing. Good fishing, bad fishing(if there is such a thing) it's all good to me.

[@ronniepaulinc]

there is such a thing, Barometric pressure changes all day long. Fish use a bladder of air to maintain depth. knowing if we are above or below 29.92 and if it is rising or falling makes all the difference.. As pressure rises the fish feel bloated and do not want to eat. But as pressure lowers they fell hungry . Where that pressure is tells you where to fish.. Below 29 they are at the top of the water above 29 they are at the bottom. FUCKING SCIENCE THE SHIT OUT OF DINNER!

[@josemarrero7982]

@@ronniepaulinc pretty explanatory to me man, simple also. Thanks for the tips. Been fishing for 4 years now and juss learning about this 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@brettoetting]

@@josemarrero7982I also notice morning and day bites are worse around 3/4 to full moon. I believe the fish can see better and feed on bright nights, so they’re not hungry/aggressive early on those days. I don’t pay attention to barometric pressure but I’m going to try this trick, which was just shown to me by my dad’s neighbor.

[@josemarrero7982]

@@brettoetting makes absolutely perfect sense for sure. I am waiting for it to get a bit warmer here in New Jersey to try this theory! Can’t wait. Thanks for the tips and response. Blessings. 💯

[@texast2595]

​@@ronniepaulinc I realize your comment is a bit old (but to be fair you commented several years after the comment you were responding to) Anyways I think you missed the point outdoors Dave was making. He wasn't commenting on whether or not barometric pressure was a thing or not in fishing. He was stating that there's no such thing as "bad fishing" because whether you catch anything or not it's still loads of fun and peace and quiet just being in the outdoors.

[@dereka8041]

I did this about two weeks ago. Within a week, I could see a difference in the water level of the inner bottle. I've tried to check the level, everyday. I'm going to use this contraption more, in the coming months.

[@Just-InTimeRepairs]

I altered the rules for reading my gauge to: "If the water is red, go fishing."

[@countryboycharlie9793]

I made one and now two...I remember my grandpa having one inn his kitchen window to go fishing by and he always caught fish 🎣 I’m 60 now was 10 back then lol 👍👍

[@davidknight1612]

I've known about these since the 60's when I saw it in my great grandmother's house, she told me all about it, have one to this day and it works!!

[@shaunmurphy1536]

Hey Steve Thanks so much for sharing this. I have always been told the Barometer pressure plays a pretty big role in when fish are biting but I now have got to try one of these out. we've been fishing the Ohio River down around Marietta Ohio and the Muskingum River up near Zanesville Ohio and we've been pulling some nice Flatheads out bank fishing. love your videos I've sat down and really enjoyed watching them..Shaun

[@glennmeadows6892]

Cant believe you done this vid my grand paw swore by his wow brought back alot of memories on this one lol

[@steventuell3253]

ive been watching your videos for a little over a year now steve and i just wanted to say thanks for all the tips and knowledge you have shared i really appreciate it i also took your advice on tangling with catfish rods and ming yang reels great advice for anyone looking for a trophy cat rig i would be lost without them so thanks again steve

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

thanks steven good luck this season

[@BlackWarriorLures]

Okay, I gotta try this! Old school. It'd be great to keep a fishing log as well. See what you catch on the good days versus bad days and such.

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

yes sir, a fishing log would be interesting, keep us posted and thank you for the comment.

[@ThomLessard]

This is fantastic! I'm going to make one right now and start paying attention to patterns with the weather. That way I might be able to guess the pressure while in the field.

[@dumpsterfire6351]

Or check barometric pressure on iPhone anytime

[@nathankiser2266]

I never stop learning tricks of the trade thanks again for your knowledge you share with us!

[@SteveWagnerGooglePage]

great, cheap and fun! will use this in the upcoming year. I am also going to share this with my boy scouts and let them have fun making this. keep making videos Steve! you have taken my catfishing to a whole new level. I cant thank you enough! always looking forward to your new posts. cant wait for the weather to turn around to start dragging and drifting again.

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

please share some result with us when you can, it was about the age that i was in the boyscout that i learned this too. thanks for the comment Steve.

[@johnbaker4847]

Lotsa people have those wall guages at home (temp, humidity, barometric pressure) but no one pays attention to them. Great way to interest kids about weather & science. (AND FISHING)

[@mathewstotts33k]

That's a pretty cool idea and I never had any idea that barometric pressure affected the fishing I guess u learn something everyday

[@steventuell3253]

thanks steve with the tips and techniques ive picked up from you over the past year i believe this season will be the best so far good luck and thanks again

[@stephenrussell7171]

We have a saying in uk,a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.

[@timlist4173]

Cool Idea, Worth a try to see if it works for your area.

[@mikeelder6298]

There was a friend of the family that ran a bait shop way back in 1966 when I was just a little kid that I remember had one of these in his bait shop. Now I'm going to build one. I'm retired now and I'm going to get to go fishing a lot more.

[@jamesbarron1202]

My grandpa a die hard trotliner used to use one of those but he also kept a bullfrog tadpole in a goldfish bowl. He said when the tadpole was active the fish where biting. He claims the tadpole was more accurate. Bullfrogs are hard to find anymore where I live in Texas. They where everywhere when I was a kid

[@bigmacsmalegmailcom]

Frogs/toads are totally Gone in some areas of the US. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_in_amphibian_populations

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

that is even cooler, keeping tadpoles in it, awesome will def have to try, thanks for the comment james

[@stupidman9774]

bull frogs are most affected by the chemicals YOUR STATE WILD LIFE AGENCY USES TO STERELIZE ALL MALE AQUTIC SPECIES IN PRIVATE AND STATE OWNED IMPOUNDMENTS. THEY DO THIS EVIL WORK TO BRING YOUR NATURAL FOOD SUPPLY TO LEVELS OF EXTINCTION. THE FDA,wda, arc, and hundreds of other 3 letter federally funded govt agencys are doing the same thing humans to reduce human numbers by 90% in less than 100 years.

[@bigoljoe1829]

@@stupidman9774 Name checks out lmfao get outta here

[@dannymeeks3801]

Gray Herons are a big culprit!

[@wally6278]

I have 2 questions for you.. 1st question.. That is a narrow Mouth mason jar correct? 2nd question.. Could this be used for hunting Deer?

[@yourface3154]

Are the deer swimming in your area?

[@RockHounder-jn8hs]

this made me think of my grandpa telling me if the cows are all bedding down its good fishing i love this thanks for sharing

[@idratherbflyingthesaucer6270]

Thank you sir for time and video it hasn't fallen on deaf ears. In the process of gathering materials as I message. 👍😁

[@leonardpineflower2333]

Hopefully I get a response considering when vid was made lol question: does the 2 inchs of the bottle neck, submerged, need to be empty or do I get the water level on the inside as the outside??? Haha dam hope this makes sense. Thanks!!!!

[@contreeman]

got the most and the biggest fish in the pouring down rain. i know for a fact these works i always looked at moms barometric guage before we went fishing.

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

thanks for the comment contreeman

[@ronniepaulinc]

when the barometirc pressure drops it allows for humidity to form into droplets and that creates rain. When his little device here lowers the water level in the coke bottle it is because the air pressure outside the bottle is lowering. IE Barometric pressure is dropping! Fish have an air ballast bladder that is affected by this same pressure. When the pressure is high or rising they are bloated and do not eat.

[@calebz1448]

​@@ronniepaulinc fish are affected by pressure differently at different water depths. Had an old timer walk past me in a trout park and say the pressure is dropping fish are biting deeper so I crimped on another split shot and caught my limit in the next hour after I had been there for 4 hours for 1 fish before. With higher pressure they won't want to feed anywhere but close to the surface

[@uriahcook2535]

Thank you, I always check the Barometric report before going out, now I have my own homemade gauge. Thank you Steve Douglas, lookn forward to your 2015 videos, you have the best ones.

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

thank you Uriah

[@ryanharrod1155]

I don't have a boat so I only fish from the bank. I always catch channel on chicken liver but I caught some creek chubs in a creek where I live and nailed a huge flathead. I have been trying to get another one ever since. I am not having any luck Steve. The chub was alive but I have been using bluegill heads lately bc of the videos I've seen on KZbin. Any pointers to help me out?

[@hellosweetheart3350]

Huge night crawler slowly real it in and you'll catch for sure

[@loydwhitehead6719]

Thanks, Steve.My dad had one of those but he never paid it no mind.He went anyway He just loved to fish.

[@ryanharrod1155]

That was really cool. Never done anything like that. Gonna try it out. Thx for the tip.

[@carnyxgear]

Observe the cow pastures as you drive down the highway. If the cows are eating, the fish are biting. It's proven science.

[@cardboardguy1444]

Roofcat_Strikes_Back yep it's true

[@D1NKERR]

Anytime is a great time to go fishing...if you'd like to catch, you should probably make one of these suckers...I'm going to for sure. My only problem is going to be finding the glass coke bottle. Great video!

[@AdventureIndiana]

That is great! Anything you make is way better than anything you can buy. I can hear this fish stories now

[@martymac5372]

I might just mention this, but unless the food coloring has alcohol or some kind of astringent, it might be a good idea to put about a teaspoon of bleach in the water to keep it from getting funky. Now having said that, I don't know if the bleach would have any effect on the level of the water in the pop bottle. Just a thought.

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

thanks I was goning mention that but I thought bleach and kids wouldnt mix. but thanks for pointing that out Marty.

[@TonyTruth]

Great job on the video . Appreciate the cool tool and for sharing the knowledge !

[@daletann5398]

I knew it was a trick out there some where,thanks a million, you rock , from one country boy to another one !

[@edwardmatthews6208]

You said after you shake the bubbles out of the bottle you will "notice in about a week", the water will rise in the coke bottle. I'm a bit confused here. If this gadget represents barometric pressure, shouldn't the water level react to what the pressure is at the present time. I think I will make one......Ed in Galveston

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

the time it takes to react could be anywhere from a couple of days or more but the reaction you may notice will either be negative or positive, but i said a week so folks would give it a chance to at least react in a noticeable way.

[@mjbarfield]

I'm going to need to try this I've always just used the Farmers Almanac fishing calendar

[@jayroper6830]

With work and life craziness any time is a good time to go fishing haha great video. Mine is already on a sill in the garage

[@ericharness1051]

Thanks for this great idea Steve. My boys and I have made 4 of them. I'm gonna send one to school with each of them and take one to work. if I can get the air bubble out and level with the water line in the jar is this a good thing?

[@10degreesnorth63]

would a gage work in a room that is air conditioned?

[@Somethingfunky12]

Do we use pond water or just plain tap water

[@mandovapehater6988]

Is it ready for use as soon as you get that bubble out?

[@paddlefootwt]

I'll have to try that, thanks Steve.

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

thanks for the comment paddlefoot

[@junyaahgarcia4410]

I would bet the water was way up in the bottle today. Only got 5 small fish where as a week ago we got 40. Definitely gonna be making one of these. Thanks for all your videos. You sir, are a fish whisperer. Haha.

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

thanks Jr.

[@cleverusername9369]

It's a lot easier if you fill the bottle with the appropriate amount of water, put the jar on top upside down, and flip the entire assembly.

[@phildowhip]

Just started mine today. Does it matter if you leave it in a basement window?

[@SuperFourwinns]

I have never seen this kind of gage before. I always thought that if I could get away to go fishing that was a good day to go. Going get one made... Great video.

[@maxiemack6938]

Is it work for tropical island?

[@hempfourtwenty350]

Great video, I started one with my daughter. Great way to start the new year. 👍

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

thanks please share your result when you can, thanks

[@LAT-qk3vj]

I'm definitely going to try this. Lived your video and subscribed 👍

[@allwaterfishingclub579]

Cool bro i will try ir. But i do have a Question. Does it work for salt water to ?

[@Bandit53404]

Great just made 1 for the grand kids they thought it is awesome. I have a question we live in wisconsin along the Wisconsin river. A lot of man made ponds and little lakes shad is not a ready available bait what would you suggest ?

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

i would try to catch creek chubs, suckers, bream, or other native fish your allowed to use legally in your region. if thats not real available to you then some large minnows you can get at your local bait shop or raw shrimp from your grocer.. thanks fr the comment Bandit, i hope you and your grandkids have a good season of family fun.

[@Bandit53404]

Thank you Steve. I am very sure we will.

[@FishstixTv]

This is baddass 😆 will help me fig out were the bass are hiding or out and about thanx 🤙🏻👍

[@guitarstru]

Don't know if you will reply back since this is an old video but here I go. Growing up my dad had one of these and we went fishing a lot. I always thought the higher the water went the better the fishing was. When there is low pressure, I heard that the fish were not active. Hope to hear from you.

[@240LTS]

... Exactly the opposite. Shallow fish are more comfortable/active in low pressure. Less pressure on their swim blatter. .

[@nastytater557]

Thanks Steve for the info. I made myself one of these and I used the Yellow food coloring. Lol. It's probably about like the green,doesn't look right at all. But it's clear and I can see it good. Just curious,are ya positively sure it's when the coke bottle has less water in it that makes it best for fishing?

[@ronniepaulinc]

yes, the less water in the coke bottle the lower the barometer is. But prime time fishing is as the water is lowering. The whole reason this all works is the fish have a ballast tank of air that is affected by surrounding air pressure. So when the pressure starts to lower they start to eat. Waiting till the pressure is allready down givees the fish time to eat and acclimate to the new pressure.

[@bryannicholson843]

I made these 40 years ago with my grandpa and I know for sure the fish bite better when it’s farther up the bottle neck

[@bryannicholson843]

I live in Arkansas so maybe it’s different here

[@bryannicholson843]

And these have to be outdoors to be the most accurate

[@sixsixonemaxxis]

Are the SKIPPI JIGS still available to buy anywhere? I watched a old video you had about hem and they look nice and seem to work well to catch skipjack. Thanks

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

they will return soon

[@codyshi4743]

Would yellow food coloring work?

[@240LTS]

... Any color will work. .

[@abrahamrojas66]

Steve but i dont have food coloring is it still the same if i only add the water?

[@jarodmorris611]

+Abraham Rojas The food coloring is only to make it easier to see.

[@senseios8980]

Food coloring actually as he said has to do something with barometric pressure so i do t think it'll work the same it will give false readings

[@jarodmorris611]

+Kevinluis Estupinan the food coloring has nothing to do with the barometric pressure.

[@garypoe4411]

Do you keep records of barometric pressure and water tempratures?

[@chadsmedley3963]

Does it matter if it is inside or outside

[@bobhoffman8090]

made self fishing gauge really fun seems to be very accurate for fish of all sorts thanks Steve

[@adamsimpson984]

Does the pressure at the time of making this gauge need to be noted? I'm no scientist but if you make it on a day that is 2020, surely the pressure have to change in order to have any effect on the levels? Yes?

[@fishnmaster421]

Ive had mine made for about a month now. Very cool.

[@TeriyakiBoy]

Happy New Year! Thank you for the great videos!

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

thank you for the comment T, you have yourself a great year as well

[@jarodmorris611]

So, it's been almost a year and a half, how has it stood up to fishing results? Did you have success on the days it indicated should be good fishing days?

[@ryanbird126]

Will a plastic bottle work?

[@WingoTribe704]

This connected with the moon?

[@adambeckett6348]

Thanks Steve

[@adambeckett6348]

What size mason jar do I use

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

Adam Lee I think its a 1 Qt Adam

[@revolvermaster4939]

Looking at clouds, wind direction and what the cows & squirrels are doing told me when to fish

[@johnbaker4847]

for work, mark it "at work, looking out the window, call in sick(gone fishing)" 😂🎣👍

[@garyanddoris6022]

Gotta say that is pretty cool , have to try that myself and see the results...

[@kobetaborsky]

Just finished my fish gauge.....Thank you for the idea!

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

Kobe Taborsky let us know how it works for ya.

[@markself1079]

Never have heard of this, but gonna give it a try. Thanks!

[@GreatNorthWeb]

i left an empty jar on my window sill. if light shines through it, the reading is "good time for fishing". Also, if the sun goes down, and the jar is dark, the reading is "good time for fishing". then I bumped the jar off the windowsill and it broke and all the shards had the same reading: "good time for fishing".

[@travissigman4898]

How long will one last? I mean, how often should you change the water out and start over? Thanks!

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

water will evaporate so just add to as needed or change the whole thing once a month.

[@travissigman4898]

Good deal. Thanks

[@Dbars19]

its still wild that modern fish finders dont have pressure reading on them

[@thumpman]

I use what we call a fishing brick. You take it outside and toss in up a couple feet and if it hits the ground you hit the water

[@billy8489]

Hi Steve made me a fish gauge like yours. This is neet. Let you know how it works. Now I'm gone fishing.

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

Billy Burchett good luck to you Billy

[@divineknowledge4607]

I just use the barometric pressure gauge on my wall 😂. Oh, also the wind direction and speed I also take into account.

[@jkg6211]

We go by modern technology/meteorology/etc. as well... but ya gotta admit ‐ they do look cool at our fishcamp, and also pay homage to our Grand/Great Granddaddy, etc. There's lots of things we old folk need to pass down to these young'ens before it's all forgotten...

[@divineknowledge4607]

@@jkg6211 you're absolutely right. An old saying that always seemed to work was "wind from the west the fish bite the best. The wind from the east the fish bite the least. Granted it's still barometric pressure related but of you don't have a gauge it works. Also pay attention when the water turns over in spring and fall.

[@jkg6211]

@@divineknowledge4607 Yep, we grew up back in the 60's hearing all the old-time weather and fishing sayings... they were hit or miss at times, but more often than not, generally accurate. What I finally discovered in my late 50's though, is that the "best" time to go fishing, is *when you can*... and the "best place" to fish, is *where the fish are*. ;)

[@divineknowledge4607]

@@jkg6211truth... Lol

[@mikecha1957]

Very cool Steve...

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

thank Michael

[@TomTCincyO]

I will work on making one tomorrow, but I am still going fishing when the waters high in the neck of the bottle

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

I hear Tom, the best time to really go fishing is when you can or want to get out of the house. thanks for the comment.

[@johncampbell1846]

never thought of that! thanks!

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

:)

[@heathschwab]

That's so cool Steve. Thanks being I got the kids fishing group I'll have to try. Have a good weekend god bless.

[@jacka55six60]

In the 70's my dad had a lunar table book. We caught some fish at the "wrong time" and he joked we should throw them back. Never a bad time to go fishing!

[@zbow1974]

i go when ever i want and for some reason all my catches are based on the type of bait and how and where i fish even in winter, i have never came home without some fish

[@abrahamrojas66]

Do I use water from the place im fishing or water from the sink or what?

[@ericwrenfrow8349]

+Abraham Rojas Just water. I believe the closer it is to where you are fishing the better... but don't move it around.

[@jarodmorris611]

You're putting too much thought into this. :)

[@garypoe4411]

And do you have a preference?

[@austinburnett9791]

Steave I have a a smaller mason jar than that and the bottle hits the bottom will that work

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

im not sure Austin, ive not atemped it with a smaller jar before sorry.

[@huntingandstuff9489]

You never know what you're gonna come across on KZbin in the middle of the night

[@turneynicholas]

I flip a coin to decide if its a good day to go or not if it lands flat its a good time to go

[@swoutdoors222]

I am so doing this ty Steve GREAT IDEA!!!

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

let us know how it works for you.

[@TwistedIntentions79]

Gonna make one right now

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

let us know how it turns out.

[@jimplantinga6288]

I think it's cool !! I'm making one for me and my fishing buddies also. I've got everything needed already...LOL Thank you!

[@squiggymcsquig6170]

My best indicator is beer money. When I have it, fishing's good.

[@laserbeam002]

Never heard this. Gonna give it a try.

[@waynemoody7354]

great Idea will try this when it warms up

[@SteveDouglastheCatfishDude]

let us know how it works when you get back to fishin in the spring Wayne. Good luck and thanks for the comment.