How do you measure the temperature of the water?

[Gregorym38]

Hey,

just wondering how you all measure the water temp, as i know that the temp in the surface will inevitably be different than further out. 

[Susky River Rat]

I have heard of people using pool thermometers and dropping them down . I just use my transducer as I’m sure most do. Unless the lake gets a thermocline you won’t be able to see any difference on your graph. 

[Woody B]

I occasionally use an infrared thermometer to check the temperature of fish I catch.  If you know what depth you caught them at you'll know the temperature at that depth.  

[GRiver]

I just use my fish finder/ depth finder. I played with a pool thermometer and the thermocline, it can get mind boggling.
I was intrigued when a lake turned over.

[Tennessee Boy]

I’ve used an infrared thermometer to check the temperature of fish.  I’ve used a temperature sensor on a long cable.  Now I just use my electronics to see what depth the baitfish are at.  That’s what really matters except in spring when temperature affects the spawn.

[Gregorym38]

How about from shore? 

[WRB]

Digital instant thermometer placed in the bass throat to determine it’s body temperature, the only temp that is meaningful.

Bass are cold blooded and their body temp is the same as the water they were caught in.

Tom

[Lmbasshunter]

5 hours ago, Gregorym38 said:

How about from shore? 

I carry a pool thermometer in my tackle bag

[1984isNOW]

DO you cast the thermometer out from shore to get a more reliable temp?

[Darth-Baiter]

if i have a fish that i just caught in my hand, finding the temp at that point a moot for me.  i got this.

 

if i am not catching, i take surface temp and run it thru this equation

 

 

[Gregorym38]

40 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

if i have a fish that i just caught in my hand, finding the temp at that point a moot for me.  i got this.

 

if i am not catching, i take surface temp and run it thru this equation

 

 

Very smart, never thought to apply algebra to fishing. Will definitely do this on my trip this afternoon?

[keagbassr]

Simple mind here, I just feel the  blades of my spinnerbaits, if they're cold so is the water ,I figure?

[Susky River Rat]

On 6/1/2023 at 12:55 PM, keagbassr said:

Simple mind here, I just feel the  blades of my spinnerbaits, if they're cold so is the water ,I figure?

It’s like a weather rock. More accurate then a weather man and doesn’t need a college education.

[keagbassr]

4 hours ago, Darnold335 said:

It’s like a weather rock. More accurate then a weather man and doesn’t need a college education.

Don't get me started on how the local weather man has almost got me killed twice before. 

[Woody B]

On 6/1/2023 at 12:10 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

if i have a fish that i just caught in my hand, finding the temp at that point a moot for me.  i got this.

 

if i am not catching, i take surface temp and run it thru this equation

 

 

 

I tried that but I got a headache, then had to find a restroom really quick.   

[the reel ess]

Stick my feet or fingers in. If it's not uncomfortably cold it's warm.

[TnRiver46]

[Alex from GA]

The Aquaview under water camera has a temperature probe on the camera.  

[geo g]

On 6/1/2023 at 12:10 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

if i have a fish that i just caught in my hand, finding the temp at that point a moot for me.  i got this.

 

if i am not catching, i take surface temp and run it thru this equation

 

 

d**n that just hurts my head!  

[Spankey]

Surface temp get picked up by my depth finder. Pool thermometer in my live well that I can sink lower over if I want to. 

[Jleebesaw]

I just use the temp from my fish finders. I can then use past experiance to get an idea of what I should be doing. I don't know what the temp is deeper and I don't really care. Having a rough idea is good enough for me. I know what worked in different surface temp ranges in the past and can work off that info.

[Bankc]

On 5/31/2023 at 7:52 PM, Gregorym38 said:

How about from shore? 

I look up the lake temperature online of either the lake I'm fishing, or ones similar in size and location to one I'm fishing.  It's not 100% accurate, but it's close enough to allow me to make the decisions I need to make without having to carry extra gear.