What determines what you do most?

[RoLo]

Kinda surprised about the water temp responses.

With respect to water temperature, fish are lucky and they're unlucky.

Unlike warm-blooded animals, fish do not have to maintain a constant body temperature to survive.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, a fish is comfortable in all temperatures of water, that's why they're lucky.

Of course, temperature extremes may produce a secondary emergency that will cause discomfort.

That is to say, when the water is so cold it freezes or so when it's so hot it cannot hold sufficient oxygen.

In sharp contrast, warm-blooded animals such as us, experience discomfort when the surrounding air

is much higher or much lower than 98.6 deg.

Why are cold-blooded animals unlucky?

They're unlucky because unlike us, temperature dictates their metabolism and disposition.

It's a trade-off, while fish may be comfortable at all temperatures, they have no freedom of choice.

For us it's exactly the opposite, though varying temperature do not dicatate our level of activity

and our appetite, it does make us mighty uncomfortable, in fact it can kill us.

Do fish seek warm water during the winter...NO (they're comfortable in cold water but very lethargic)

Do fish seek cool water during the summer...NO (they're comfortable in warm warm)

Do most fishermen believe the above facts...NO

Roger

[roadwarrior]

bobo,

Members of this forum have posted responses that address what every fisherman should consider. Great thread, but the specific question is really not meaningful. As everyone has pointed out, it's a combination of factors that is important.

[topwaterdog91]

I would have to say the wind is number 1 for me.

[Bankbeater]

Wind, Wind, Wind.

It will determine everything from what size lure I throw to how I position the boat.

[Chris]

What determines what you do most? My mood... If I feel like battling waves and being bounced around fighting the wind all day just for a crankbait bite I do it. If I feel like picking up my flipping stick and pitching to the same beaver hut for hours guess what I do it. The thing about it is if it is something that I feel like doing then chances are it will work in some shape or form. I have never been a fair weather fishermen and not many conditions just make me cringe or prevent me from giving 100% even if I fail. I do not live and die by one lure or technique. I guess because of this conditions don't make me run and hide it just rules out what would work or where I should fish. With any group of people you can always pick out the flippers and crankers and finesse fishermen based upon what conditions they hate to fish in. I love them all  8-) as long as safety is not an issue. When I first get to the lake yeah I check out how windy it is or the water temp. I check out many things but the main thing I check out is what techniques I know how to use under the conditions I am faced with that I feel confident in. I start refining when they don't work and then mix it up and find something that will work.

[Rattlinrogue]

Two things:water temp and level of sunlight penetration.

[bixbybasspro]

My past experience, conditions, water temp, seasonal patterns, and put it together to formulate the best producing pattern that i can find.. 8-)

[cart7t]

I just fished yesterday and the wind was a definite factor in how, what and where I fished. The lake was murky and only 49 degrees.  There was a strong wind, 20mph sustained, 30+ gusts.  I was going to fish for a jerkbait bite on rocky banks with wind blowin in but the wind made that difficult. My second and third strategies were to slow roll a spinnerbait and flip laydowns.   Casting accuracy was out the door and backlashes were the rule of the day.  The spinnerbait and jig were easier to present but there seemed to be no bite on those.

I caught 3 fish, one keeper. Terrible fishing conditions.  Was the wind the first thing I thought of?  Not so much as far as where I thought the fish were, I caught them right were I thought they'd be, but it certainly played a determining factor in my presentation. It was the water temp, coupled with the forage the bass would probably be feeding on and seasonal location which were the things I thought of first, the wind was primarily a nuisance.