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« July 2010 | Main | September 2010 »

August 30, 2010

More Pollution, Better Fishing?

I found this newly released study rather interesting, both because of it's result as well because of a reference within the study.  Do fish growth rates correlate with PCB body burdens? by Andrew L. Rypela and David R. Bayne in the August 2010 issue of Environmental Pollution.

Indiana has may waters that are PCB contaminated to some degree, several to a very high degree. This is also the case with many of our rivers in certain industrial areas and the smallmouth bass that reside in them. According to the results of the study, there was a correlation between growth rates and PCB body burdens, and it was positive in largemouth bass, spotted bass and black crappie studied. Obviously we're not going to argue for heavier pollution loads in support of higher growth rates of our fisheries, but if the results hold up, you can have some assurance that just because you fish in a PCB polluted waterway, it probably isn't negatively affecting the size/growth of the fish in that waterway.

As for the reference within the study I mentioned, this research was carried out on Logan Martin Res. down in Alabama. The article goes on to state:

"In fact, Logan Martin Reservoir supports a championship-grade black bass fishery. The Bassmaster Classic Tournament (one of the world’s most prestigious angling tournaments), has taken place at Logan Martin Reservoir three times, all of which were during the 1990s, a period when PCB concentrations in fishes were 3 times higher than they were during this study (Mitchell, 2006)."

I just thought it was pretty cool for a research study to include mention of the Bassmaster Classic fact relative to the subject at hand.

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August 28, 2010

Michael Murphy On Crayfish

Tyler Z found this little gem which was recently posted to the Wired2Fish Channel. It's former Indiana angler and Purdue grad Michael Murphy talking about crayfish, a subject he studied extensively while getting his fisheries degree.

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August 27, 2010

Choices, Choices...

So, you are a largemouth bass and you're given the option of three food items: bluegill, channel catfish and goldfish. Which do you eat first? What would be your second choice? A new study provides some answers.

EFFECTS OF ALTERNATIVE PREY AS A BUFFER TO PREDATION OF CHANNEL CATFISH (ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS) BY LARGEMOUTH BASS (MICROPTERUS SALMOIDES) is the title of the thesis paper on this subject by Shelley Nellis. Turns out it would suck if you were the goldfish in this experiment, as they were the first to go when bass had the option. Bluegills were next on the list, followed lastly by channel cats. It appears to all be related to handling time, a component of Optimal Foraging Theory we've dealt with numerous times on the site (do a site search for more info).

Do keep in mind though that small catfish and bullheads can be like candy to largemouth bass in certain locations or at certain times, so mimicking these critters isn't all bad. Lots of literature out there covering this, some of which we've also posted to the site (more searching). Looks like I'll need to add more glow orange bass baits to the tackle box this winter :) 

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August 26, 2010

Nice Bass Taken This Week

Andy Worden with a largemouth that tipped the marina scales right at the 5 pound mark, caught wacky worming earlier this week. The fish was released immediately after weighing.

Morse Res. continues to be a sleeper among smallie anglers, once again putting out a nice fish. This time, Bryan Johnson with the 19" SMB caught on a jig Sunday evening.

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August 25, 2010

Indiana Kayak Fishing Club

If you haven't looked through the fishing news lately, you might just have overlooked a small but growing trend in tourney angling - kayak fishing. The belly boat tourney scene is big in California, and kayak tournies are starting to catch on in numerous locales. You can check out some of the recent news links below:

Indiana has a dedicated legion of kayak anglers who chase bass throughout the rivers of Indiana, but you might not realize that we also have a kayak club that focuses on fishing and who is about to hold their first kayak fishing tourney. Below is some information I received from member Justin Kivett, along with a few pics he sent me for those who might be interested in trying this growing sub-culture.

"I am part of Indy Yaks Kayak Fishing Association located here in Indianapolis. http://indyyaks.com/  This is the link to out website. We have two kayak fishing outings every month from April to October through out central Indiana and will be holding our first ever kayak fishing tournament on Sept 11th at Westwood lake. The calendar on the website shows all of our outings plus we have a monthly meeting every third Tuesday of the month at Gander Mtn in Greenwood. If you are interested in more information about the Association and need more detail you can contact myself or Dan Sutton via our website."

Justin Kivett



  

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August 24, 2010

Eagle Cr. Res - Saturday Evening

Finally took a fishing trip after several weeks without casting a line. Here's part of the reason I don't bother getting up early to go fishing any more: Sunsets are just as pretty as sunrises.

And of course, the biggest reason (beside the fact that I'm lazy), is that the fish bite just as good late as they do early.


   

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August 23, 2010

Weekend Tourney Photos

Is there anything better than morning right before take-off?

If you've never locked through a dam before, it is quite a cool experience the first time you do.


   

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August 21, 2010

Finesse Line Testing

I've been doing more testing of lines recently and thought I'd share some of the results. I gathered all my spools of finesse line that were rated by the respective manufacturers as 6# test. From there I ran them through a series of identical tests to see how they compared. All were tested "dry" and right on the spool. The chart of results is below (click on the chart to expand) with category descriptions below that.

 

  • Name: is pretty self explanatory. All lines were labeled as 6# test.
  • Diameter: Measured with a micrometer to 4 decimal point accuracy in inches.
  • Type: I tested regular monofilaments, copolymer and fluorocarbon lines.
  • Initial Stretch: Used a certified 3-lb. weight (1/2 the labeled breaking strength of each line tested) attached to the line via a small S-hook and tied with a Palomar knot. Weight was slowly released and line was allowed to stretch and maintain it's position for 60 seconds before taking a reading of initial stretch and converted to a percentage of starting line length.
  • Creep:  Creep is the tendency of a solid material to slowly move or deform permanently under the influence of stresses. It occurs as a result of long term exposure to high levels of stress that are below the yield strength of the material. In this test, the 3-lb weight was left attached for 24 hrs. After that period, additional length of stretch beyond the initial stretch length was measured and calculated as a percentage of starting length.
  • Total Stretch: Initial stretch plus creep stretch (after 24 hrs.).
  • Permanent Deformity: After the weight was removed, all lines were given 60 seconds to return to a non-stretched (relaxed) state and then their length was recorded. If the final ending length was greater than the initial (unstretched) starting length (all lines were), then the percent of permanent deformity was calculated. 

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August 20, 2010

DNR seeks volunteers for Hoosier Outdoor Experience, Sept. 18-19

The second annual Hoosier Outdoor Experience is looking for volunteers.

The event is Sept. 18-19 at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis.

The goal of the Hoosier Outdoor Experience is to introduce people to outdoor activities they may have never tried. During last year’s inaugural free event, it was hard to tell who had a better time, participants or volunteers. Some 13,300 children and adults enjoyed hands-on tries at more than 50 outdoor activities.
If you already enjoy outdoor sports and recreation and want to help others learn to enjoy them as much as you do, sign up to volunteer at http://www.in.gov/dnr/5412.htm.

Activities will be organized in six stations: aquatics, cultural, equestrian, outdoors, shooting sports and wildlife. Shuttles will take participants from station to station.

You can designate the activity with which you wish to work. Activities needing volunteers include kayaking/canoeing, bowfishing, fishing, shotgun, rifle, archery, mock archaeological dig, Jeep rides, disc golf, road bicycling, ATV rides and jet boat rides. Shifts are four hours each.

If you are member of an official activity provider organization of the event and want to volunteer, use the "DNR approved activity provider" link at http://www.in.gov/dnr/5412.htm. If you are unsure if the group to which you belong is a provider organization for the Hoosier Outdoor Experience, check HoosierOutdoorExperience.IN.gov or contact or (317) 233-1002. 

Parking, admission, activities, demonstrations and seminars at the Hoosier Outdoor Experience are free to the public, but online registration of participants is requested to assist with planning/staffing of activities. To register to attend as a participant, go to HoosierOutdoorExperience.IN.gov and click on the orange registration icon. Watch there for event updates or on Facebook at .

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August 19, 2010

How To Establish Bass Feeding Preferences


Reader Aaron Branch sent in this photo of a chunky smallmouth caught recently. The question is how perceptive are you in trying to figure out what this guy has been chowing down on? We'll give you a hint in case the answer doesn't just jump out at you right away.

 

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