What is "Different"

[Bonefish]

Something I have thinking about lately is how different bass react from season to season and from lake to lake. Bass are poikilothermic, meaning their blood becomes the same temperature as their environment. Their metabolic process adjusts to changing temperatures as well. Even the heart of some fish changes size and chemicals in their blood change to prepare them for the cold winter months. Even though it is true that a bass’s digestion and movement slows during winter months, they still feed. That is why largemouth bass are caught on Dale in the winter as well as smallmouth. In northern lakes largemouth bass are still caught through the ice. It has been proven, larger bass are caught during the winter in northern lakes. Studies have shown at 40 degrees bass need to consume only one third as much food to maintain nutrition as they would at 70 degrees. So, why do we still stand a good chance to catch a lunker in winter? One reason maybe prey is least available in winter. But, bass still need to eat in winter. As food sources decline in winter, bass may become more sedentary, but if food becomes available, they will still travel and eat.

Something else I have been thinking about. Why do fish react and behave differently from one lake to another? I find this fascinating personally. If you have fished Laurel and Dale, even though they are deep and clear, the bass react and behave differently. Even their coloration is different. Because diet, water color, and structure is different from lake to lake, makes bass look, react and behave differently...even the DNA of bass maybe different from lake to another. Why it is some lakes are topwater lakes while others do well on bottom-bouncing jigs? Why it is some lakes are good at night and others are not? As you know, lure colors may vary greatly from lake to lake. Maybe that is why tackle shops have displays with lures for a particular lake. There is money to be made for local guides and local fishermen when tournament time comes around because they know how fish react and behave during a given time of year or weather pattern for that lake. That is why guides are so valuable when learning a new lake because they understand the movements of baitfish and the movement of bass for that given lake. Bass react differently as to water clarity as well. They may be more aggressive in shallower dingy water than deep clear lakes. That is why so many fishermen have trouble understanding bass habitat and feeding patterns in deep clear lakes. You have to remember what bass are feeding on during any month of the year. To do that you must understand how the baitfish are relating to the microorganisms and zooplankton, which is their food source. And, where you find the baitfish will be how their food source (microorganisms and zooplankton) reacts to sunlight, darkness, water clarity, current and weather patterns…even the crawfish how so many different colors from lake to lake. I know you as bass fisherman you have seen many different colorations on the bass you have caught. Why are so many lures and techniques used to fish? Because lakes and bass are different from lake to lake from north to south from east to west. Speaking of “different”, I still wish I had mounted the solid, black, three pound largemouth bass I caught out of the Kentucky River a few years ago. That fish was simply amazing to see with it’s blood red gills against a solid, glistening back body. As I sat there looking at this fish, I just could not kill it so I let it go...a true freak of nature.

[kygorski]

I believe water clarity has a lot to do with fish behavior.ontrary to what a lot of us think, bass and all fish don't think! They relate to circumstances they are in. I like clear water lakes, but prefer to fish in stained lakes, I personaly think they are easier. I use as an example two lakes. Clark lake in upper Michigan, its a no motors allowed lake[not even electrics] the water is so clear you can easily see 15 ft down with out trouble.There is no development allowed, no run off, and the limits are almost absurd. No live bait of anykind,one game fish limit. But its worth the hassle just to enjoy the wilderness. The second is a cooling lake in llinois for a coal fired electrical plant. More later gota go

[kygorski]

the cooling lake is a slightly elevated man made lake. there is limited fishing,once the parking is gone, you cant fish. he water temp is in the mid 90s in the summer. he water is deeply stained, and its almost always choppy, the wind cools the water somewhat.It has all te major fish species, including hybrid stripes and musky. At times the fishing is fabulous. size limits on bass are 20 inches.Its fishing only. Closed during the fall for water fowl h8nting.Power lake is mostly fished shallow, and fast, sunny days don't matter. Clarke lake is cloudy days, or very early or late. Natural colors on clark work best Line is a problem.on the cooling lake no problems on any line.There are several more cooling lakes in the area, one is nuculear and limited parking again.Clark is in a state scenic area.These are fairly large lakes. I'd fish clark matbe twice a year in the fall and spring. he cooling lakes any week day I could.

[kygorski]

id you ever get that Nissan motor I gave you running? ny luck with the downriggers{ guess my keyboard needs to be replaced].

[kygorski]

'll never go back there,too old! but the few times I was in the Sylvania tract,was like a trip into the past.My favorite times were in early fall,the colors are beyond descrirtion, Most of the tourists are gone, and the hunters and winter sports guys are not there yet. My uncles house was about 25 miles away[also on a lake]. I tried several times to buy a small tract of land there with lake access, and finally gave up and moved to the boon docks" in Cumberland county.All the family are gone from "up north" now. My cousin had a stroke, and is in a nursing home,his brother moved to florida.The only things that remain are memories. Ever hear a trumpeter swan? hold a baby loon? see the northern lights? snow drifts 10 ft high. A lot of it is still there,,the only thing required,youth and health[PS bring money. feed the Indians}

[Bonefish]

Mr. Ky, I did get that motor running, it has not missed a beat. I appreciate that act of giving every time I use it. I use it as a kicker when trolling. I have moved 4 miles from Aligator ll on Cumberland so I will be on the water a lot more this year. Thanks so much.

[kygorski]

that was a great little trolling motor on my semi vee, and it was fantastic on the porte a bote,.But through neglect I ran into some carburation problems, tight lines amigo