Knowing Bass: The Scientific Approach to Catching More Fish

[doctorloomis]

I just received a brand spanking new copy today. I’m looking forward to reading this legendary book! I have heard great things about it.

[Dirtyeggroll]

It’s a good read. If you do not have a biology or chemistry background, you  will likely continue to learn from it with multiple reads.

[Mshutta]

Where'd you find it? I've been trying to find a copy for a while!

[jbsoonerfan]

5 minutes ago, Mshutta said:

Where'd you find it? I've been trying to find a copy for a while!

I just looked on ebay, must be a heck of a read. 

[parker7219@yahoo.com]

Knowing Bass: The Scientific Approach to Catching More Fish    I'm looking for a copy sale or pdf Version.

Thanks Dan

[garroyo130]

Try to temper your enthusiasm. I may be alone here but this book was a bit of a let down for me. Much of it read like a biology book about sunfish with bits and pieces related specifically to bass and bass fishing. There were some interesting sections for sure but certain things such as 20 pages dedicated to whether or not bass feel pain didnt provide particularly useful information. 

[MIbassyaker]

53 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Try to temper your enthusiasm. I may be alone here but this book was a bit of a let down for me. Much of it read like a biology book about sunfish with bits and pieces related specifically to bass and bass fishing. There were some interesting sections for sure but certain things such as 20 pages dedicated to whether or not bass feel pain didnt provide particularly useful information. 

 

That's fair.  The book's reputation is such that it's easy to develop outsized expectations about what it is, and be disappointed to discover what it is not. It really is only partly about fishing.

 

The Book's value, as far as I'm concerned, is that it is the definitive resource on many of the underlying factors about the largemouth bass species -- it's physiology, perceptual abilities, and response to stimuli as verified by experiment -- that we make assumptions about every time we fish, whether we realize it or not.  To be sure, it does take some additional reflection and thought to make practical use of many of these details, though.

[islandbass]

I can’t believe those outrageous prices. Insane! You’d think it was the last bible on earth like in that book of Eli movie.

 

Glad I have my copy. It’s a nice addition to my small library of good books bass related or not. 

[Catt]

If you believe there's a scientific approach to bass fishing then read it.

 

I would suggest learning your ecosystem & predator-prey relationships.

 

But then I'm just a dumb Cajun ?

[frogflogger]

There were a couple of things that made it worthwhile for this old guy. But then I enjoy reading when not fishing.

[BayouSlide]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

If you believe there's a scientific approach to bass fishing then read it.

 

I would suggest learning your ecosystem & predator-prey relationships.

 

But then I'm just a dumb Cajun ?

Nothing dumb about that. But understanding the biologic aspects of the bass can jump start that learning process. It's not necessarily an easy read, I'm in the midst of it after obtaining a copy, but it's fascinating and full of info that can be applied in our pursuit of this amazing species. The writer is not just a scientist, he's an angler himself.

[Catt]

@BayouSlide I don't put much stock in research done in an aquarium & a controlled environment.

 

Read Bill Murphy, Doug Hannon, Buck Perry, Tim Tucker, Larry Larsen, Al Lindner, & many others with on the water experience.

[WRB]

I think the bass behavior Dr Jones did was to support his beliefs and Berkely products.

Good read for understanding the physical behavior, but his "science" isn't always supported by the experiences we all have actually fishing for bass.

Knowledge is good, just don't always believe everything you read.

The most important factor catching bass is strike detection a skill learned by experience.

Tom

 

[Sam]

On 3/27/2019 at 8:11 PM, doctorloomis said:

I just received a brand spanking new copy today. I’m looking forward to reading this legendary book! I have heard great things about it.

Wow! Congratulations.

 

They are hard to find and last I looked they were going for $125 on eBay.

 

Yes, lots of scientific information but Dr. Jones breaks it down into normal language we can all understand.

 

Glad you have a copy. I will not let my copy leave the house.

 

Enjoy!

[BayouSlide]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

@BayouSlide I don't put much stock in research done in an aquarium & a controlled environment.

 

Read Bill Murphy, Doug Hannon, Buck Perry, Tim Tucker, Larry Larsen, Al Lindner, & many others with on the water experience.

But an aquarium and controlled environment "is" a scientific laboratory setting.

 

I've read nearly everyone on your very comprehensive list...there's something of value to learn from everyone's experience when you approach it with an open mind and separate the wheat from the chaff. Then it's up to to the reader/fisherman to apply the lessons to actual practice.

 

You've passed along some very insightful info yourself through this site. I'd be happy to have a book based on your experience on my bookshelf  ? .

[BayouSlide]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Knowledge is good, just don't always believe everything you read.

The most important factor catching bass is strike detection a skill learned by experience.

 

 

Echoes this paraphrase one of my favorite quotes from the Buddha: "Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true."

[MN Fisher]

 

29 minutes ago, BayouSlide said:

one of my favorite quotes from the Buddha

The Buddha was very wise and I've lived my life this way for over 40 years.

[NYWayfarer]

51 minutes ago, BayouSlide said:

You've passed along some very insightful info yourself through this site. I'd be happy to have a book based on your experience on my bookshelf  ? .

I would as well. As much for the chicken and sausage Gumbo recipe as for the fishing tips.

[Catt]

1 hour ago, BayouSlide said:

But an aquarium and controlled environment "is" a scientific laboratory setting.

 

So you're saying I can do research on Mule Deer in my barn in south Louisiana.

 

To properly study wildlife it needs to be do in the wild.

[BayouSlide]

23 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

So you're saying I can do research on Mule Deer in my barn in south Louisiana.

 

To properly study wildlife it needs to be do in the wild.

I think you could definitely research biology (how the creature's brain, nervous system and senses are constructed) and even certain behaviors in how its biology determines how it relates to its environment in your lab (or barn). The dissections will be a little messy though. But seriously, the author makes a better case for the science behind his studies than I can or will here.

 

Anybody who is interested (and can lay their hands on a copy) should give it a read and make up their own mind. SPOILER ALERT: Some commonly held assumptions about bass aren't necessarily supported by the creature's biological makeup and resulting sensory response to it's environment, based on the studies by the author and other academic researchers whom he cites.

 

It's a fascinating read, a Bass Biology 101 course if you will: since it's out of print I pulled out my credit card and ordered an admittedly expensive copy for my personal education.

[Catt]

@BayouSlide 

 

The more human influence the less accurate the results.

 

How does the bass eat?

Does the researcher feed them?

Do the bass have to compete for food?

 

Are other predators present?

 

What about vegetation or structure?

 

Is the aquarium affected by weather?

Is the aquarium affected by barometric change?

 

Shall I continue?

[WRB]

 1974 DFG biologist Mike Lembeck conducted a monumental bass tracking study on San Diego county lakes observing over 200 bass over a 3 year period. The bass ranged from  1 1/4 to 14 lbs. Mike made over 800 observations and proved bass are very individualistic.

6 decades of bass proves Mike Lembeck observations to be true.

Tom

[CountryboyinDC]

That's an expensive read.  Keith Jones sure picked the right subject to author on.  At those prices, it may make sense to print a few more copies.

As for research done in an aquarium, I could hardly badmouth it without being a bit hypocritical.  I was never a wildlife biologist, but I made a living researching chemical and biomedical phenomenon.  And it is true that discerning thing such as the optimal pH at which gas exchange or even rudimentary neurological physiology/function is best done in the lab.

If it's true that his observations are from studies in an aquarium and he extrapolated "how they relate to fishing lures, and ultimately how they interact with anglers", then this book is pure moonshine.  And I don't mean that in a good way.

[Fin S]

Any scientific study has limitations, and the results have to be interpreted in the context of those limitations.

 

[Sam]

19 hours ago, BayouSlide said:

But an aquarium and controlled environment "is" a scientific laboratory setting.

 

I've read nearly everyone on your very comprehensive list...there's something of value to learn from everyone's experience when you approach it with an open mind and separate the wheat from the chaff. Then it's up to to the reader/fisherman to apply the lessons to actual practice.

 

You've passed along some very insightful info yourself through this site. I'd be happy to have a book based on your experience on my bookshelf  ? .

Catt is correct, but for a scientific approach we must have a controlled environment to gather the data and statistics.

 

When in the "wild" things can be different but the basic instincts, the sensors, and other conditions play a role while fishing. Catt's position has not changed and he is totally correct. However, as a basis of study of our little green opponent Dr. Jones' book gives us a starting point.

 

Take the information with you on the water and try to turn the tables in your favor.

2 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

That's an expensive read.  Keith Jones sure picked the right subject to author on.  At those prices, it may make sense to print a few more copies.

As for research done in an aquarium, I could hardly badmouth it without being a bit hypocritical.  I was never a wildlife biologist, but I made a living researching chemical and biomedical phenomenon.  And it is true that discerning thing such as the optimal pH at which gas exchange or even rudimentary neurological physiology/function is best done in the lab.

If it's true that his observations are from studies in an aquarium and he extrapolated "how they relate to fishing lures, and ultimately how they interact with anglers", then this book is pure moonshine.  And I don't mean that in a good way.

Cowboy, I understand your logic. However, Berkley and other bait manufacturers have clear, open pools that they test their baits for movement, vibration, color, shine, etc. before releasing them to the public. Give the book a read and then let us have your input.

 

Living in the greater DC area you have lots of time sitting in traffic to read the book!!! ?