Bass pheromones?

[bpm2000]

From Bruce latest article:

" Remember not to toss any hooked bass back as they produce a pheromone that will tell the other bass to get out of Dodge, and suddenly the bass stop biting."

How true do you think this is? I know most, if not all of us here have C&R'ed bass in the same area we caught multiple fish, so one could conclude from this that this isn't necessarily true. Perhaps he was only referring to the truly large schools they congregate in during the fall?

[Rfatt16]

I do not know how true this is. I'm sure they release something but i do not think it shuts off the bite for all fish. All i know is the fish you just caught and released generally won't bite again for a while.

[cavdad45]

If a released bass produces "pheromones" that would be a good thing. That would attract every horny bass in the lake to your fishing hole. And then we could tie on a bass colored swimbait to get jumped! LOL

Seriously, an injured fish does put out chemicals, but not pheromones. Larger predatory fish are attracted to the scent and will come around looking for an easy meal. Other fish would scatter believing a predator is about.

A released bass is usually not injured because the hook generally hits cartilage or bone and not something that will harm a bass. A released bass will then look for an escape and hiding place until the shock of hooking, fighting, and landing subside. Usually resting from the exertion, not an injury.

A poorly hooked or bleeding bass can potentially spook bass nearby because of the proteins in the blood that are released into the water. That's another reason, I keep bleeders. Thankfully they are few and far between. If the hook is in the tongue or gullet, just cut the line and let the hook stay. The fish will survive and not pollute the water scaring away others.

Fish dangling over the side left to die on a stringer will produce those chemicals and turn off your fishing.

I don't by the original idea presented. It's based on reasonable logic, but as it has passed through many hands the "facts" change resulting in an urban legend. Continue with Catch-and-release while bass fishing, it's our best hope for a sustained fishery.

[bpm2000]

I should mention, since it isn't clear from just that line I posted, that it isn't Bruce's intent to recommend KEEPING the fish, rather not to throw it back in the same area during the fall schooling bite.

[bassackwards]

If a released bass produces "pheromones" that would be a good thing. That would attract every horny bass in the lake to your fishing hole. And then we could tie on a bass colored swimbait to get jumped! LOL

Seriously, an injured fish does put out chemicals, but not pheromones. Larger predatory fish are attracted to the scent and will come around looking for an easy meal. Other fish would scatter believing a predator is about.

A released bass is usually not injured because the hook generally hits cartilage or bone and not something that will harm a bass. A released bass will then look for an escape and hiding place until the shock of hooking, fighting, and landing subside. Usually resting from the exertion, not an injury.

A poorly hooked or bleeding bass can potentially spook bass nearby because of the proteins in the blood that are released into the water. That's another reason, I keep bleeders. Thankfully they are few and far between. If the hook is in the tongue or gullet, just cut the line and let the hook stay. The fish will survive and not pollute the water scaring away others.

Fish dangling over the side left to die on a stringer will produce those chemicals and turn off your fishing.

I don't by the original idea presented. It's based on reasonable logic, but as it has passed through many hands the "facts" change resulting in an urban legend. Continue with Catch-and-release while bass fishing, it's our best hope for a sustained fishery.

"Horny Bass"...."get jumped".... =d> =d> =d>

We have officially reached new levels of Bass fishing expertise. Now we are trying to sexually attract bass....gotta love Bass Fishermen...always trying to get an "edge" :cyclopsan

[Anglinarcher]

From Bruce latest article:

" Remember not to toss any hooked bass back as they produce a pheromone that will tell the other bass to get out of Dodge, and suddenly the bass stop biting."

How true do you think this is? I know most, if not all of us here have C&R'ed bass in the same area we caught multiple fish, so one could conclude from this that this isn't necessarily true. Perhaps he was only referring to the truly large schools they congregate in during the fall?

Pheromones? No.

Other warning chemicals? Yes.

Does it matter? Not usually, but if you are in a school or the fish jumps right into the cover you are fishing, it can.
I have seen it matter more on trout and panfish, but I saw a large school of largemouth that turned off on a lake in Colorado about 20 years, just because I dropped a fish overboard. Now I usually keep a live well going and drop them a hundred yards away or after the school has moved on.

[Anonymous]

There are other pheromones fish produce other than sex. Fear pheromones is one of them. When it comes to bass, a bait fish like a shad gives off fear pheromones when being hunted and can actually trigger a feeding frenzy. Bass can also give off different pheromones other than just sex pheromones.
Here is one definition of pheromones - Pheromones -- biological substances that influence sexual and other behaviors in animals and may do the same in humans.
Fish will secrete pheromones for many different situations. Sex and reproduction is one of them. Others are fear and aggression. Hope this makes a little sense. Bruce is right on in his article. It is possible to "turn off" a bite by release a fish near the place in which you caught it. But I will add to this and say I have witnessed the bite "turn on" at the same spot where I have been releasing fish too. A feeding frenzy was created probably due to the other pheromones being secreted by the fish hunting, stricking or fighting the potential food being my lure.



fishnislife

[hookorcrook]

So, I don't know if this is on topic, but I've always wondered what makes bass sometimes follow another bass that is being reeled in. One specific instance I was fishing plastics in shallow water and fighting a bass, and I get it up to the boat and a couple bass had followed it in. One of the bass was much larger than the one I was catching. They all swam off after they saw us. Is that pheromones? And if fish give off "scared" vibes, you'd think those bass would have been swimming really fast in the opposite direction from what was going on. I always just thought those bass seemed more curious than anything.

[EastsideRedneck]

I saw some plastics the other day at Joe's claiming to contain bass attracting pheremones. Honestly, I thought the company had stooped to a new low in trying to lure in customers to take their bait; now I am wondering of there is any validity to their claim.

Would having a bass' prey (perch, pumkinseeds, etc...) flailing about on my stringer trigger a feeding response from nearby bass due to their release of pheremones?

[iPodrodder]

hookemdanno, this probably shows aggressive moods or hunger. Sometimes, a fish will follow another that is hooked, because it looks like it is a meal, because it looks like it is having trouble swimming, descending, etc. It is like live bait, except the fish is probably larger than bait and is thrashing a lot, which is why only aggressive or hungry fish will follow it. A negative or neutral fish is like, "No thanks. I'll have some easy pickin's later. This is not easy pickin's." The larger fish are usually the ones with interest for a meal, which is why they, and usually not smaller ones, follow your fish. Also, like what fishnislife said above, the fish may be giving off fear pheromones, triggering a feeding frenzy.

Have you seen YellowBear's huge northern pike picture? That is a sweet example of what fish think of "live bait". "Live Bait" meaning the fish you are reeling in.

[bpm2000]

I've found smallies to be much more aggressive in the follow-the-hooked-fish type mannerisms, resulting in doubles. I have never myself witnessed a largemouth doing the same but I think this might just be due to their less schooling nature. I have defintiely had big ones follow up dink bass!

[Anonymous]

I know a lot of you want simple answers to these questions but I think the best thing I can do is point you in the right direction to not only find the answers but to learn tons more of information as well.
This is an awesome book to read (oldie but goodie) - Bass Fishing Facts: An Angler's Guide to Bass Lifestyles and Behavior
You can find it on Google books and read a good portion of it online. Here is the link:
http://books.google.com/books?id=hz6ReW ... P1&dq=Bass
On page 29 Larsen talks about this very thing and how pheromones can be a very important part of a bass's sense expecially during the fall bite when bass rely on their sense of smell more than any other sense. This is were the attractants come into play. The "icing on the cake" so to speak. The bass will feel the bait, see it then during this time of year rely on how that bait smells to them before actually consuming it.
Hope you guys enjoy the read. You won't regret it. Bruce's article is amazing too, if you haven't had a chance to read it, do it.


fishnislife

[EastsideRedneck]

I guess this poor little perch was put'n out some mighty fine pheremones while on my stringer... This bullhead from Sammamish is the reason I rethought using the old school stringer. Funny thing is I could not get Mr. Whiskers to let go of that fish (while on the water and at home).

[dilbert]

This is an awesome book to read (oldie but goodie) - Bass Fishing Facts: An Angler's Guide to Bass Lifestyles and Behavior
You can find it on Google books and read a good portion of it online. Here is the link:
http://books.google.com/books?id=hz6ReW ... P1&dq=Bass

Thanks for the link. I always like finding more books about bass. :study:

[cavdad45]

We all have different views on this issue and that's cool. We all do what we have the most confidence in based on what we believe. From research I have read, and I will dig around and try to find you some references, I still believe it to be an old wives' tale. No offense to Larsen.

Fishnislife, Thanks for the good link. Off-subject a little, have you read an older book by John Weiss on bass fishing? I can't remember the title, but it had good info on bass migrations and seasonal movements. It changed my life. Great read, eventhough that spoon-plugging stuff was a little dull.

Late Note: The title is "Advanced Bass Fishing" by John Weiss

[cavdad45]

"One odor that definitely disturbs bass is that given off by another bass that has been injured. Scientific studies have proven that many species of fish give off an alarm substance, called schrekstoffen, when they are injured. This substance always has a negative effect on fish of the same species. In experiments when an injured bass was released, it instinctively tried to return to its school and the other fish became nervous, ceased to feed, and left the area. Minor injuries to the mouth area do not, however, cause the release of this substance. But any fish that has been seriously injured or its bleeding should not be released, as it will probably die anyway and, if released will put an end too fishing in that immediate area. Also, be sure to wipe off your hands and rinse your lure when you have handled an injured fish. A plastic worm tainted with the blood of an injured bass will catch few fish."

BASS, A Handbook of Strategies; ISBN 0-9605254-0-8; Page 9

[bpm2000]

interesting stuff guys!

[fishnislife]

We all have different views on this issue and that's cool. We all do what we have the most confidence in based on what we believe. From research I have read, and I will dig around and try to find you some references, I still believe it to be an old wives' tale. No offense to Larsen.

Fishnislife, Thanks for the good link. Off-subject a little, have you read an older book by John Weiss on bass fishing? I can't remember the title, but it had good info on bass migrations and seasonal movements. It changed my life. Great read, eventhough that spoon-plugging stuff was a little dull.

Late Note: The title is "Advanced Bass Fishing" by John Weiss

I have not read it cover to cover but I have thumbed through that book at a bookstore years ago.


fishnislife

[fishnislife]

[quote="cavdad45"] "One odor that definitely disturbs bass is that given off by another bass that has been injured. Scientific studies have proven that many species of fish give off an alarm substance, called schrekstoffen, when they are injured. This substance always has a negative effect on fish of the same species. In experiments when an injured bass was released, it instinctively tried to return to its school and the other fish became nervous, ceased to feed, and left the area. Minor injuries to the mouth area do not, however, cause the release of this substance. But any fish that has been seriously injured or its bleeding should not be released, as it will probably die anyway and, if released will put an end too fishing in that immediate area. Also, be sure to wipe off your hands and rinse your lure when you have handled an injured fish. A plastic worm tainted with the blood of an injured bass will catch few fish."

BASS, A Handbook of Strategies]

So what are thinking? Still believe it's a old wives tale?
Good reference. Looks like your doing your research.


fishnislife

[cavdad45]

Yeah, read it closer. If you release a fish unharmed, ie mouth hooked it will not freak-out the other fish nearby, If it's a bleeder or is injured, toss it in the cooler. So just releasing your normal hooked fish will not alarm the others.

This myth is busted! LOL

Fishnislife, I constantly need to research, it gets me through the winter. Usually reread alot of the same books and get whatever info I can from Oklahoma, Texas, Florida's game departments plus a smattering from some of their college publications. Good Stuff.