RichZ wrote:
Chris Rennert wrote:

I just want to get your opinions on my approach to bass fishing (or
any fishing I do). The approach I use is to not only study the
biology of the fish I am fishing for, but also the biology of the
forage that the prey upon. I just ordered 2 books on crayfish biology
from Amazon. Am I getting to crazy with all of this. I figure if I
understand the prey, and their movements, I will understand the fish
and their movements better.

I have started to read about wetlands, and different types of aquatic
vegetation as well, and what types of bottoms certain aquatic plants
require to flourish, and what temps they start to grow. This is the
same info i found about Crayfish, when they come out of their winter
haunts, and start to molt, and then reproduce. I figure every little
bit helps.

Chris


I love your approach. I have long maintained that in order to really
understand bass, we need to understand who the fit into the complex web
of an aquatic environment. everything in that environment relates to,
and affects everything else in it, either directly or indirectly. That
why I spent so much time with my head buried in limnology texts 30 years
ago, and its why I make it a point to learn about the other species --
both fish and non fish -- that compete with, coexist with, or provide
forage for the bass I'm after.
Exactly Rich, Our fishery which includes 5 Lakes, and 2 Rivers, and
dozens of tributaries is so diverse and is so fertile the fish have so
many options. Bottom line , during the summer, walleye fishing is very
tough, it seems only the best catch bigger fish during the summer.
There is so much prey out there (Grounder Minnows (trout perch), rusty
crayfish, young of the year white bass & sheepshead,yellow perch,
bluegill, gizzard shad, and various other minnows. You then throw in
Largemouth, smallmouth, whitebass, and mature sheepshead and the
competition for that food is unbelievable. Our smallmouth fishery has
just exploded in the last 5 years. 10 years ago you were lucky to catch
one, or it was a fluke, 5 years ago you were catching them on reefs here
and there, and already this year you can see by the pics of our last
trip, that the fish are growing and flourishing. Zebra mussels have
invaded Winnebago big time, and the water is starting to clear. Still
our deepest weedline is at about 5 feet, and it is hardly a distinct
weedline. But we do have distinct reefs , that are from a fly spec to
hundreds of yards of rock. And all the above just describes Winnebago.
Now you have the Fox & WOlf Rivers, Lake Butte Des Morts, Little Lake
Butte Des Morts, Lake Poygan ,and Lake Winneconne. Which are all
different. There is so much to know, and that is my goal, is to
understand Largemouth and smallmouth movements based on the different
competitors, and prey.

Now I probably won't be able to apply everything I learn on this system
to other systems, especially in a competitive enviroment such as
tournament fishing, but I think it will help in my understand of the
fish as a whole.

I wish we could have some kind of classic here on this system, but we
already have a great Wisconsin excursion up north, but I would like to
get some of you guys on this water and see how you would fish it.

I tell you what, fishing has just completely consumed my every thought
for some time now, and I can't seem to consume enough information from
books, magazines, and videos, so if anyone has any suggestions on books
to read, videos to watch, or magazines to subscribe to please feel free
to post them here.

This is what I currently subscribe to:
Bassmaster, bass times, bassin, in-fisherman, & salmon trout & steelheader

Videos:
The whole in-fisherman series on Bass (SM & LM) & Walleye

Books:

Denny Brauers Jig FIshing secrets, Denny brauers tournament tactics,
In-Fisherm LM Bass, In-Fisherman SM Bass, Knowing Bass, Advanced Bass
Tactics, Doug Hannons Big bass magic, Doug Hannons field guide to bass
fishing, Bass Wisdom, various steelheading books, various float fishing
books.

Once a teacher told me knowledge was power, hmmmmmm... we'll see I
guess.. All of it is useless without application.

Chris