Science of the Strike

When we discuss bass fishing, water is our universe, and understanding its fundamental forces is essential for success. In Episode 11, we're exploring the often-overlooked yet crucial roles of water levels and current. These aren't just environmental factors. Instead, they are the driving forces that influence largemouth bass behavior, from their feeding patterns to their locations. By understanding the "why" behind the water's movement, you can predict where bass will be and how they'll behave, giving you a scientific edge over others. Stop reacting to water conditions and start anticipating them.

Have you ever felt a "tick" on your line and wondered what's happening on the other end? In Episode 12, we're pulling back the curtain on the most exciting part of bass fishing: the largemouth bass's strike. This isn't just about a fish biting a hook. Rather, it's a finely-tuned, high-speed biological event driven by a predator's powerful anatomy. By understanding the anatomy, biology, and physics of the largemouth's attack, you'll be able to interpret every signal from your rod, from the most violent explosion to the faintest tick, and turn more of those "bites" into landed fish.

In Episode 5, we uncover the reality behind what largemouth bass can actual hear and feel using their lateral line. So frequently, we hear professionals talk about lures or techniques that implicate a bass's sense of hearing or trigger their lateral line. After digging into the science-backed research, we've uncovered that the vast majority of anglers have a great misunderstanding of what bass can actually hear and feel.

As anglers, we spend the vast majority of our time trying to understand bass behavior, but often neglect to understand the prey that makes up a bass's diet. Starting with crawfish, episode four kicks off a mini-series focused on understanding the science behind the ecological food web that makes up a largemouth bass's diet. If you understand the prey, you'll understand the predator.

In episode 3, we go over how and why you should be considering both the barometric pressure and moon phase before hitting the water. While the science may be debated, there are clear correlations that can and will make a significant difference while on the water as it relates to these two often overlooked topics.

In this episode, we discuss the role of scent in our tackle box. As with color, there are critical misconceptions promoted in the industry which are clearly negated by science. Listen in to learn what simple changes you can make that will scientifically improve your odds on the water.

In our first episode, we dive into the science behind a largemouth's vision. After having analyzed a number of scientific studies, we uncover the reality of what bass can actually see. We discuss colors, distance, the effects of water clarity, and more.

In Episode 10, we're bridging the gap between the lab and the lake. We’re joined by one of the hottest young pros on the Major League Fishing tournament trail, Drew Gill, to discuss how his on-the-water experience aligns with the scientific principles we’ve been exploring.Drew has built a reputation for his mastery of cutting-edge technology and his ability to quickly "read" a fishery. We'll put that real-world knowledge to the test, asking him how his observations of bass and their prey confirm—or even challenge—the science of nutrition, predator-prey dynamics, and seasonal behavior that we've covered in our series.This is your chance to hear from a top-level professional who thinks about the "why" behind every cast.

Continuing our mini-series on largemouth bass prey, Episode 9 spotlights the humble yet vital bluegill. More than just a panfish, these sunfish are a cornerstone of nearly every freshwater ecosystems and a primary food source for largemouth bass. We’ll break down the scientific reasons why bluegill are so vital, from their territorial spawning behavior to their seasonal movements, and reveal how understanding their lifecycle and feeding habits will dramatically improve your largemouth fishing strategies. As always, if you understand the prey, you'll dominate the predator.

Largemouth bass anglers spend the majority of their time trying to answer one critical question: where are the fish. In doing so, we consider a myriad of variables like water temperature, prey availability, structure, and much more. Scientific studies reveal that the vast majority of anglers are overlooking the most significant variable when trying to locate largemouth bass: dissolved oxygen. In Episode 8, we dive into the science behind dissolved oxygen and water turbidity so you can be more effective and efficient with your time on the water.

For too long, the common narrative has dismissed fish as creatures of simple instinct. Episode 7, we confront these long-held misconceptions. Recent breakthroughs in brain research and meticulously designed behavioral studies unequivocally demonstrate that fish not only possess the capacity to learn, but also to retain that knowledge. The truth is, largemouth bass are far more intelligent, adaptable, and deserving of your credit than most anglers have ever dared to imagine.

Continuing our mini-series on bass prey, Episode 6 spotlights the ubiquitous gizzard and threadfin shad. These prolific baitfish undeniably shape largemouth bass behavior and distribution. We'll break down the scientific reasons why shad are so vital, from their nutritional value to their schooling dynamics, and reveal how understanding their behavioral differences from region to region can dramatically improve your fishing strategies.