Bass fishing myths

[soflabasser]

Here are a couple bass fishing myths I have heard from other bass fishermen;

 

1. Myth = Peacock bass do not bite at night.

    Truth = I have caught peacock bass at night with topwaters.

 

2. Myth = Peacock bass do not spawn in February.

    Truth = I have seen lots of peacock bass on nest in February (including this year) if the weather is warm enough for them to be bedding.

 

3. Myth = You need a baitcaster reel if your goal is to catch big bass.

    Truth = I catch almost all my big bass on spinning reels and use the same reels for inshore fishing for snook, tarpon, redfish, and other inshore species.

 

4. Myth = Bass do not bite during strong cold fronts in South Florida.

    Truth = I have caught bass during strong cold fronts in South Florida.

 

There are other bass fishing myths that I have heard but I will just mention these for now.

[Jonas Staggs]

Cannot recall the video, I will try to post it when I can. Anyways this guy that says bass can only remember for 15 minutes.  Says you can catch the same fish on the same lure 15 minutes later. Cannot recall exactly but the guy was like a bass biologist or something like that. So is this true? I found the video, its by bassresource 

 

 

 

Also interesting points on line size. On 1 hand you have fish getting spooked from the line...makes sense. On the other hand they are biting your lure with treble hooks attached to your invisible line. 

[Jonas Staggs]

On 1/24/2020 at 5:47 PM, NittyGrittyBoy said:

My personal belief,  is false. Line size/type does matter. But I'm in agreement with you, probably not near as important as some think. At least not down south far as I'm concerned. 

 

Basically I was trolling around and this looked like a good topic to get bites.. ?

 

 

Are you using flouro leaders? This topic has me interested as I have been wanting to try braid but don't want to spook the fish but also don't want to hassle with leaders. Do they make clear braids or something you can just tie directly and fish like mono

[LargeMarge]

I think worrying about line color and type is wildly overrated. 

 

I caught my PB in crystal clear water on the exact same setup (15lb green straight braid on a TX rig) that I caught my prior PB, which was in warmer, low visibility water a few states south. I've seen straight white and yellow braid do just fine. I have seen guys with leaders break off the leader plenty of times while casting or fighting fish. One more knot to fail.

 

Also, black is widely considered a highly visible color to bass. Why are guys using sharpies to color the last few feet of their line?? To make it more invisible? Maybe to the fisherman!

[NittyGrittyBoy]

10 hours ago, Jonas Staggs said:

 

Are you using flouro leaders? This topic has me interested as I have been wanting to try braid but don't want to spook the fish but also don't want to hassle with leaders. Do they make clear braids or something you can just tie directly and fish like mono

No such thing as clear braid, I use braid and mono. 

On spinning I use braid-mono leader

 

I fish tannic, stained, muddy water. I'm not worried about fish seeing my line as much as guys who fish crystal clear waters up north. I do however believe that line size and type does play a part in some situations, I'd be a fool to deny that. Watch how often pros change line types depending on their location. It matters. My parts, it dont

 

Also dont be afraid of fishing leaders, if you learn to tie a good knot, it wont fail you. I tie the Alberto knot for my leaders and have never had a failure

[Raul]

Myth.- catch a fish on your first cast and you'll be jinxed for the day

Truth .- danged right about that ! ...... several times.

[schplurg]

On 2/21/2020 at 9:00 PM, Jonas Staggs said:

Cannot recall the video, I will try to post it when I can. Anyways this guy that says bass can only remember for 15 minutes.  Says you can catch the same fish on the same lure 15 minutes later. Cannot recall exactly but the guy was like a bass biologist or something like that. So is this true? I found the video, its by bassresource 

 

 

 

Also interesting points on line size. On 1 hand you have fish getting spooked from the line...makes sense. On the other hand they are biting your lure with treble hooks attached to your invisible line. 

 

I caught the same bluegill (I know not a bass) twice in less time than that. It was on a bed 4 feet from shore.

 

After the second catch he would swim away when I brought the bait back by him a third time, so I stopped. He definitely remembered that bait then! He never left his bed which I was happy about.

 

There were many 'gills fighting for beds that day, chasing each other away so I messed with them a little bit. Seem to behave exactly like black bass. First time I've encountered that. Was very interesting. None of them abandoned the area after I released them (8 fish). They swam straight back to their spots every time.

[Jonas Staggs]

35 minutes ago, schplurg said:

 

I caught the same bluegill (I know not a bass) twice in less time than that. It was on a bed 4 feet from shore.

 

After the second catch he would swim away when I brought the bait back by him a third time, so I stopped. He definitely remembered that bait then! He never left his bed which I was happy about.

 

There were many 'gills fighting for beds that day, chasing each other away so I messed with them a little bit. Seem to behave exactly like black bass. First time I've encountered that. Was very interesting. None of them abandoned the area after I released them (8 fish). They swam straight back to their spots every time.

Im not a expert, but I find two things that sort of contradict themselves. 1 being that bass can only remember for 15 minutes. Well if thats the case, then how can bass become "smart" to lures in highly pressured waters? If they can only remember for 15 minutes, how can they remember where their bed is, or their winter deep pockets, or their migration ways to the spawning areas, so on and so forth. 

[kayaking_kev]

24 minutes ago, Jonas Staggs said:

Im not a expert, but I find two things that sort of contradict themselves. 1 being that bass can only remember for 15 minutes. Well if thats the case, then how can bass become "smart" to lures in highly pressured waters? If they can only remember for 15 minutes, how can they remember where their bed is, or their winter deep pockets, or their migration ways to the spawning areas, so on and so forth. 

Yea, I dunno about the memory thing either. I seen a video once where they caught a huge Bass and put it in the live well for the day and then released it all the way on the other side of the lake at the boat ramp with a tracker on it and it swam straight back to where it was caught.

 

They are probably like me, I can't remember stuff after 15 minutes either if I don't care about it, but if it's something I care about it, it will stick in my head for a long time. Fish probably have the ability to store some memories, like bedding spots and traumatic experiences, but their capacity if very limited. 

[kayaking_kev]

As far as if line size matters, I think it all depends on the type of bite. If it's a reaction bite, I don't think the fish think too much about anything and just attack, which is why they try to eat crankbaits with big trebles hanging off of them. Most of the fish I catch are probably from reaction bites, so it probably doesn't matter much what size or color my line is as long as it doesn't break.

 

But, if the bite is tough in pressured water that is clear, I think line size and type does matter. I fished some really clear water this past season and was able to watch as some fish would approach the bait slowly and then stop right in front of it and just stare at it the whole time without biting, while another one would come in quickly and in one swoop pick up the bite and take it. Some fish are just smarter, hungrier, or more aggressive than others and I think having the least visible line is only going to help you catch more fish in certain situations.

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, kayaking_kev said:

Yea, I dunno about the memory thing either. I seen a video once where they caught a huge Bass and put it in the live well for the day and then released it all the way on the other side of the lake at the boat ramp with a tracker on it and it swam straight back to where it was caught.

 

They are probably like me, I can't remember stuff after 15 minutes either if I don't care about it, but if it's something I care about it, it will stick in my head for a long time. Fish probably have the ability to store some memories, like bedding spots and traumatic experiences, but their capacity if very limited. 

I have fished a few tournaments were we released our catches at the boat ramp only to watch guys waiting about 50 yards away to try and catch them.  Within a few minutes they were biting.

 

As far as a myth goes, I grew up believing (to this day as well) that white rods are bad luck.  This started in the 70's when I was a kid fishing with my dad and his friends.  I can't say why it was a thing but it was pretty much a given that if you saw a guy fishing with a white rod, you avoided the area because his bad luck would rub off on you. 

[kayaking_kev]

5 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I have fished a few tournaments were we released our catches at the boat ramp only to watch guys waiting about 50 yards away to try and catch them.  Within a few minutes they were biting.

 

As far as a myth goes, I grew up believing (to this day as well) that white rods are bad luck.  This started in the 70's when I was a kid fishing with my dad and his friends.  I can't say why it was thing but it was pretty much a given that if you saw a guy fishing with a white rod, you avoided the area because his bad luck would rub off on you. 

I caught the same smallmouth last year on back to back cast with the same bait, on video. Some are just very hungry or very dumb. Hunger will make you do stupid things.

[Kyhokie]

On 1/23/2020 at 8:29 AM, Hook2Jaw said:

That the world record tie was caught in an oxbow in the state of Georgia.

Blasphemy!!!?

[Kyhokie]

3 hours ago, Jonas Staggs said:

Im not a expert, but I find two things that sort of contradict themselves. 1 being that bass can only remember for 15 minutes. Well if thats the case, then how can bass become "smart" to lures in highly pressured waters? If they can only remember for 15 minutes, how can they remember where their bed is, or their winter deep pockets, or their migration ways to the spawning areas, so on and so forth. 

I think it's the difference between remembering and knowing. I REMEMBER where I left my keys, but I KNOW how to drive. The bass may not remember certain lures, but they do learn to know that the sound of a spinnerbait means trouble. 

[Jonas Staggs]

1 hour ago, Kyhokie said:

I think it's the difference between remembering and knowing. I REMEMBER where I left my keys, but I KNOW how to drive. The bass may not remember certain lures, but they do learn to know that the sound of a spinnerbait means trouble. 

speaking of that, I have never caught a fish with a spinnerbait. 

[Hook2Jaw]

6 hours ago, Jonas Staggs said:

speaking of that, I have never caught a fish with a spinnerbait. 

Spinnerbaits were invented by savvy tournament anglers so no one else would catch a fish, increasing their chances of beating them.

[ryanerb]

11 hours ago, Jonas Staggs said:

speaking of that, I have never caught a fish with a spinnerbait. 

Have you fished them in optimal conditions and on different bodies of water?

[Jonas Staggs]

44 minutes ago, ryanerb said:

Have you fished them in optimal conditions and on different bodies of water?

well from what I can gather, you fish them in low vis water, when its windy or choppy or what not, to get out that extra needed vibration. I have tried them, but on the days I did try them, I think I got skunked all together, however I was always fishing 1/2 oz large ones. I doubt a giant spinner bait will work in high pressured socal waters, which is why I decided to downsize. The lure looks amazing, but I guess the short answer would be no not under optimal conditions, as Im not sure whether a hot sunny day or overcast would be good, but I have tried them on windy days for sure.

[TnRiver46]

18 hours ago, Jonas Staggs said:

Im not a expert, but I find two things that sort of contradict themselves. 1 being that bass can only remember for 15 minutes. Well if thats the case, then how can bass become "smart" to lures in highly pressured waters? If they can only remember for 15 minutes, how can they remember where their bed is, or their winter deep pockets, or their migration ways to the spawning areas, so on and so forth. 

Experts make erroneous claims everyday. Also I've fished spinnerbaits for 30 years all over America and have caught less than 10 total. You're not alone. My advice is screw them and fish with what works for you . I know they work but not for me, kind of like a Whopper plopper 

[MGF]

I've caught lots of fish on spinner baits but I sort of got out of the habit of using them.

 

I think line can make a difference. I tend to consider it more in relation to lure action and depth but I think the visibility can be an issue.

[Jonas Staggs]

46 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Experts make erroneous claims everyday. Also I've fished spinnerbaits for 30 years all over America and have caught less than 10 total. You're not alone. My advice is screw them and fish with what works for you . I know they work but not for me, kind of like a Whopper plopper 

well said, sometimes you get caught up in all the stuff your told. I guess we want to keep trying things to see if they will work. I end up carrying around a ton of tackle I realistically am not going to use, but its there just in case, even though I know d**n well Im not gonna use it. 

[Kletust]

On 2/21/2020 at 7:57 AM, the reel ess said:

I watched a video of Gerald Swindle where he was typing a jig on and said "Why would a bass care about your line's tag end when they don't care about the other 100 yards tied onto it". Then he cut the tag end off his fluorocarbon line and cast it out. LOL. But I'm in agreement. I was fishing with a guide and we were working down the bank flipping to sparse patches of pepper grass. I said "We're mighty close. Aren't they aware of our presence?" He said "Yeah, don't worry about that. When you drop that jig in their face in that small space they can't ignore it. Instincts won't allow it."

and gators and pythons

I saw the same video.  Actually what he said is that people try to cut the tag end real close to the knot.  He said leave a little room so that it doesn't come loose if it slips.  He didn't say not to cut the tag end short... just not try to cut it right at the knot.  I think he said leave about 1/8" but I'm not sure.

[the reel ess]

15 minutes ago, Kletust said:

I saw the same video.  Actually what he said is that people try to cut the tag end real close to the knot.  He said leave a little room so that it doesn't come loose if it slips.  He didn't say not to cut the tag end short... just not try to cut it right at the knot.  I think he said leave about 1/8" but I'm not sure.

Gotcha. But he did say something along the lines of "A bass don't care about the of main line" didn't he? Notice I was trying to type with his accent. LOL

[Bird]

This dissolved memory after 15 minutes tickled me.

 

You go trying to yank my lips off, fondle and kiss me, take my pic with my mouth spread wide open screaming THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT......I'll forever remember that.

[soflabasser]

Myth = Spinnerbaits do not work in pressured public water.

Truth = I have caught lots of bass on spinnerbaits in pressured public water, and many of those bass where big. Like any other lure there is a time and place spinnerbaits work best.