effects of pH lake levels on bass

[Coastfishin]

I hope this isn't too stupid of question.
I am not much of a Bass fisherman, the few I catch I think are the stupid ones.
My question: Today I saw a guy fishing. The first thing he did was tie a rake to a rope, throw it in the water and drag it, pulled it up and inspected the weeds. Then he checked the water temp and P.H..
I understand the temp. but what if anything do weeds and water P.H. have to do with Bass fishing?:-k

[fishnislife]

First off, what lake were you at?
It sounds to me like this might have been some sort of official, either with Fish and Game, Wildlife Management, Lake Management or an ecologist checking the lake. I can't imagine a bass guy tossing a rake in the lake and checking pH balance. But you never know. Maybe he knows something we don't.
Checking the weeds would help to understand what foliage is on the bottom growing at this time of year and at what length it is at. The pH shouldn't really matter unless it was a lake that has or is experiencing problems with sustaining fish and wildlife. Low pH levels can ruin fisheries but I don't see how if this lake is a successful fishery and checking miner fluctuations in pH would matter. But like I said, maybe he knows something we don't. I actually will do a little more reading on pH levels and how there fluctuation may effect the water and fishing.
As far as a bass guy throwing a rake in the water, everyone knows that that area and at least 30+ft around it will be unfishable for awhile because he just spooked every living thing around.
The only other reason that I can think someone might want to check the pH level in a lake is if they are health freaks and don’t want to eat fish swimming in bad pH waters.




fishnislife

[Coastfishin]

Not an offficial of any sort. Ratty old jon boat, 4 or 5 fish poles. He didn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. I heard him tell another guy that he dropped his outboard in the lake the day before.
It didn't seem right to me either, but like I said, I don't know Bass that well. Someday I'll figure them out.
It was at Duck lake in Ocean Shores.

[fishnislife]

Well, what do you want to know about pH. I just read about a dozen articles on it. The best one that I have found pertaining to bass would be this article. It is actually a really good read. http://www.finefishing.com/aaspecies/ba ... /phoat.htm
Thanks for bringing this subject up Coastfishin. Little did you know that this might actually bring up a lot of information that some of us can use. I personally thank you. I have read a lot of great stuff already that I never knew and I plan on reading up a lot more on this subject.
I would change your thread title to something like "effects of pH lake levels on bass", or "pH balance fishing for bass", I don't know, I just think the title might draw someone in here who knows a little bit more about the effects of pH on bass.
Just a suggestion.



fishnislife

[Coastfishin]

Wow,
I guess I stumbled on to something. I'll check it out
Thanks fishnislife

[A9]

Not an offficial of any sort. Ratty old jon boat, 4 or 5 fish poles. He didn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. I heard him tell another guy that he dropped his outboard in the lake the day before.
It didn't seem right to me either, but like I said, I don't know Bass that well. Someday I'll figure them out.
It was at Duck lake in Ocean Shores.

There's a good chance he could be dragging the bottom to figure out exactly where his OB is...

[fishnislife]

Not an offficial of any sort. Ratty old jon boat, 4 or 5 fish poles. He didn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. I heard him tell another guy that he dropped his outboard in the lake the day before.
It didn't seem right to me either, but like I said, I don't know Bass that well. Someday I'll figure them out.
It was at Duck lake in Ocean Shores.

There's a good chance he could be dragging the bottom to figure out exactly where his OB is...

That's what I was thinking too. And his wife probably told him "Billy Bob get yo butt out thar and check them pH levels ta see if yo motor is killin them there fish in that lake."
It sucks he lost his motor. Question is how? What was he doing that his motor fell off?
No the less, this could spark great discussion at to the effects of pH levels on fish. Something I never took into consideration.




fishnislife

[bassmasterderek]

Thanks for the link fishinislife. That was a pretty good article. Has anyone ever heard or seen this technique used?

[fishnislife]

Thanks for the link fishinislife. That was a pretty good article. Has anyone ever heard or seen this technique used?

Your welcome bassmasterderek.


Anyone have any input on pH water level and the effects on bass? Looking to learn more about this. Has anyone actually used this sort of information to help them locate fish?



fishnislife

[Anglinarcher]

Bill Dance use to push a portable PH meter to check for a PH break line. He claimed that the break line of PH would tell him what depth to fish. It did not matter what the PH was, just that it changed more rapidly at that point.

I have never tried this method, seems like snake oil to me, but than again.

[Bigbass Dez]

I dont for see PH levels being a hugh issue for bassin here on the western side of the state .. I have in the past only ever even thought about PH levels when we get atleast a week of 85-90+ degree days (how often is that) .. at the same time with this colder spring we are having this year alot of the weed and plants are not growing to fast , however does and angler have a advantage with knowing this info (very small window) . Regardless of water temp , cold fronts etc . Here we catch mainly all smallies and the best thing to keep track of would be days of sunlight and length of days to determine staging areas for smallies .. as for largemouth I personally think that this year there spawn will happen in a shorter time frame based on the current conditions and not the PH levels ...Sorry if i got a little to opinionated on this subject here but it's early and i got my 20oz of caffeine delight going this morning and it's kicking in !! lol .. BBD :bounce: