| Bass fishing is like any other sport, if you have | | | | oxygen content and the warmer the water the |
| the knowledge and the understanding of the | | | | less oxygen content. The more oxygen a bass |
| opponent it allows you to be more successful. | | | | can get usually during the warmer months the |
| You can look at it like Turkey hunting, the more | | | | more active it will be. Usually during the summer |
| the hunter understands the trails, water areas, | | | | when the water temperature hits the 80 degree |
| food areas and habits of the Turkey the easier it | | | | mark or higher, the oxygen in the water will start |
| will be for the hunter to locate them. The same is | | | | to diminish. |
| true with Bass fishing, the more you understand | | | | What does this have in common with bass |
| the Bass, the circumstances and conditions you | | | | fishing? Well, a bass will usually do one of two |
| face the more successful you will be at catching | | | | things in a condition such as this. A bass will drop |
| them. Here are a few factors of a better | | | | down to water that is cooler for a larger supply |
| understanding of the bass. | | | | of oxygen, or a bass will usually head for |
| SURVIVAL: Largemouth bass need three | | | | vegetation areas because of the constant |
| elements to survive: | | | | producing of oxygen that aquatic plants provide. |
| Food, Oxygen, and cover. | | | | This usually happens in spring, summer and early |
| If any one of these elements is not present in a | | | | fall. |
| body of water a bass could not survive, just by | | | | Here are some areas where ample supplies of |
| knowing why these three elements are so | | | | oxygen can be found: |
| important for a bass's survival will help you to | | | | Power. Plants- because of the constant discharge |
| become a more successful angler. | | | | of oxygenic water. |
| The first element we talk about is FOOD. Believe | | | | Deep. water areas- the deeper the cooler water |
| it or not, shad is NOT the 1st choice of a bass. | | | | a better supply of oxygen. |
| Shad is a very common food for the bass as well | | | | Around. Trees, Sump, & Log areas-because |
| as other natural baits, however the number 1 | | | | of the porous wood will hold oxygen. |
| food choice of a bass is a crawfish (also know as | | | | Rivers-. because of the constant flowing of the |
| crawdads, crayfish, etc.). A few years ago a | | | | water. |
| study was done where 100 shad and 100 | | | | Vegetation. areas-remember, the deeper the |
| Crawfish were in a tank of water with all species | | | | cooler water a better supply of oxygen. |
| of bass (Spotted, Smallmouth, Largemouth) and | | | | Mouths. of Creeks- again, because of the |
| Surprise the crawfish were eaten 8 to 2 over the | | | | constant-in-flow of fresh water. |
| shad. A couple of reasons for this are that the | | | | Wind. Blown Banks- a constant oxygen source, |
| crawfish are a very easy prey for a bass to | | | | these are just a few areas there are many |
| catch and they are fairly easy for bass to find. | | | | more... |
| Studies show that there are actually more | | | | And the third element is COVER. Cover is an |
| crawfish found in vegetation areas than around | | | | extremely important element when it comes to a |
| rocky areas (or as some may know as Rip-Rap). | | | | bass for many reasons here are a few of the |
| A bass will eat just about anything at any given | | | | most important ones. |
| time such as: Mice, Ducklings, Frogs, Rats, Snakes, | | | | One reason would be for protection. A bass , |
| Worms, Salamanders, Grubs, Lizards, Insects, | | | | being known mostly as a "Ambush Fish" will use |
| Leeches, Baitfish, etc. This is one reason there are | | | | cover such as vegetation, rocks, stumps, trees, |
| so many different shapes and types of artificial | | | | fall-downs, structures, docks, holes, etc....to dart |
| baits on the market today. | | | | out after it's prey. A bass really is a |
| The next element is OXYGEN. Oxygen is an | | | | lazy-by-nature type of fish and will extend the |
| element that any living creature needs to survive. | | | | least amount of energy for the greatest amount |
| The main reason a bass fisherman angler should | | | | of benefit. Bass fish are known as territorial fish |
| pay attention to oxygen is that a bass requires it | | | | and will not travel a long distance. |
| to survive. By knowing water oxygen content in | | | | A second reason a bass fish needs cover is |
| various areas and angler will develop a better | | | | because a bass does not have eye lids like you or |
| understanding why a bass acts the way it does | | | | I and prolonged exposure to the Sun's rays, a |
| under the many different conditions. When a bass | | | | bass will eventually go blind. The next time you |
| has a limited supply of oxygen, it tends to get | | | | see someone bass fishing; you will usually see the |
| more disoriented, and much slower or lethargic. | | | | bass being caught in a shaded area, and in and |
| The "Key" in understanding the rules of oxygenic | | | | around covered areas. |
| water is that the cooler the water, the more | | | | |