Spring 2018
®
Two examples come to mind – dragonfly poppers
and flies used to match the hatch.
When I was younger I would take my fly rod and kayak to Lake Almanor for the “hex hatch,” but I wasn’t chasing trout. Instead, I would strip a larger flashy Wooly Bugger or streamer just beneath the surface in areas of heavy concentrations of hex.
I’m not sure if the bass were focusing on the hex, which I did observe them eating, or the smaller fish consuming them (probably both). Either way – I have caught some really nice small mouth that way. This is a perfect example of an abundant, yet only seasonally available source of food.
INSTINCT AND TRIGGERING THE STRIKE
The primal predatory instincts of bass are undeniably strong - willing to take on almost any meal whether it will fit in their
mouths or not. “Gape limited” is not in a bass’ vocabulary. The
underlying theme for the prey discussed in this issue is where
predatory mechanisms meet opportunity.
It’s at this intersection that the overwhelming
predatory instincts of bass overlap with the opportunity
for food. Its not that bass like ducks, mice or lizards –
they just happen to be there.
One study evaluated the predation rates for
“satiated” or “full” bass. Its findings suggested that it
is unlikely that satiation was an important constraint
on bass predation rates and that prey behavior may
be a more important component governing predation
rates, i.e., even if they have a belly full of shad, the
right behavior or queue will still trigger bass to eat (i.e.,
presentation, presentation, presentation). This parlays into the topic of bass behavioral types and personalities – which perhaps we can touch on in another issue.
Tight lines everyone. •
References:
Essington, Hodgson, and Kitchell 2011 • Hodgson & Hansen 2011 • Hodgson and Kinsella 1996 •Nobriga and
Fyrer 2008 • Vella et al. 2010
page 44
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