Artillery Question

[Sam]

I encountered a "first" this past weekend fishing on Lake Chesdin outside of Petersburg, Virginia.

The weather conditions were rough with rain and wind after a cold front passed through the area Thursday night. In addition, the water level was high due to the two hurricanes and the rain plus the water clarity was heavily stained.

And then there was the boom, boom , boom of the artillery being fired at Fort Lee.

We heard the shots all day.

So my question to you guys is this: "Do you think the artillery had any affect on the bass?"

If we could hear the shots do you think the vibrations from the guns would be felt in the water?

I have never read any literature about the firing of large military artillery ad its affect on fishing so this is a first for me.

Thanks for your thoughts and input.

[webertime]

I don't think it has any effect on them at all.

My brother is a trout guide and one of his "personal" spots is a river that runs through a firing range/National Guard training facility where they drop/shoot/practice with and develope all sorts of weapons (F-16's dropping 500lbers, Barrett 50 cal., General Dynamics testing new 20mm guns for aircraft). He's pulled some huge trout out of there.

I was fishing this weekend at a local pond and a property owner was using a chainsaw to clear trees that had been blown down in all the recent bad weather. A few were half in the water and rather large, he was sawing away and the water was showing the vibrations from the saw, and boy was it loud! This went on for an hour. I pulled a nice 4.5lber out of 3fow about 25' from the vibrating tree.

[Catt]

Wildlife and even bass become accustom to these types of noises

Fort Polk is located directly west of Toledo Bend Reservoir and provides U.S. Army Infantry Companies and Special Operations units the most realistic live fire training experience possible, short of combat. Live Fires incorporate: Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Special Forces, Army Aviation, and Close Air Support.

Located within Fort Polk is 33,488 acres of some of the best deer, squirrel, rabbit, quail, woodcock, dove and turkey hunting. This area is known as Peason Ridge Wildlife Management Area.

[slonezp]

I don't think so. I know it's kind of apples and oranges with the amount of shots being fired, but right now there are plenty of waterfowl hunters on the waters I fish. The bite hasn't changed.

[J Francho]

The Erie smallies near Fort Niagara still bite, despite the cannon fire.

[K_Mac]

I was fishing earlier this summer with a friend who has a membership that allows him to fish several strip pit lakes on mining property. There is an active mine about a quarter mile from the lake we were fishing. There was a low rumble and the entire lake was roiled when they detonated underground charges at the mine. It was a weired experience. It almost sounded like rain falling on the water for a second or two. I don't think the fish payed any attention, though it spooked me a little.

[Nitrofreak]

Sam, I can not speak for any artillery actions around lake Anna but I can certainly attain to thunder as storms roll through.

I would think that they would be close in comparison since they have a tendency to be very strong at times especially when the cieling is low they really rumble and shake everything.

I have been caught on the water at times when storms would be in the distance and the thunder would still shake the floor in the boat but it seemed to have no effect on the fishing either way...you know how Lake Anna can be your hot one day and ice cold the next anyway, lol.

But There have been days that it rumbled and fish were still caught on a, well, I dare say consistant basis with Anna but on a basis none the less.

So if thunder doesnt seem to bother them I would think artillery fire would be a passing thought as well for them.

[Sam]

Thanks to all for your replies.

Sincerely appreciate them.

Now I know that artillery booms probably have no affect on the bass populations.

[brushhoggin]

Great question actually, my favorite go to lake is very close to the Jackson airport and there are constantly big planes that are low super close to the lake during take off/landing, and i've gotten bit several times with a cargo planes directly over head. i know its not the same sound but they're loud. i'd imagine if this doesn't spook them, then that shouldn't either.

[BassThumb]

I've caught plenty of fall bass within a block of goose hunters cracking off shots with 10 GA shotguns. Surprisingly, it doesn't seem to bother the fish enough to interrupt their feeding. These fish aren't used to hearing the shots either, unlike the fish living near a military base.

[Sfritr]

Just fish for the deaf ones.....

[Jaydee]

The only boom boom you were hearing was your brain rolling around in your skull!!! Just kiddin sam. We need to do another tour soon

[Sam]

Jaydee, it took me a little while to figure out what the noise was as I thought Fort Lee was the Quartermaster base where the most exciting thing they do is make a meringue pie.

Then my memory kicked in from my Army days and I knew it was artillery fire like we heard at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and in VietNam.

And yes, let's go fishing. Probably not until next year unless you want to go prefish the Historic James River for the December tournament.

[Jaydee]

Yes sam let's go to the James in November! It will be getting right by then. We are gonna miss you at the pamunkey this weekend. We will talk soon.