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Joined: Oct 2008
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Lunker
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Lunker
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I'm just wondering if I have a problem. I'm catching LMB that are a pale green color, lighter than a dollar bill color. Some have red blotches about the size of a pencil eraser,not all bass have this. Not all bass are off color either, I'd guess 1 out of 10. We've had over 3 weeks of 90 degree plus temps and I'm wondering if the increased temps have caused this. All LMB are very lethargic and the bite has been horrible which I'm pretty sure is weather related. We are continuing to cull small LMB to attain balance, but they have seemingly slowed in growth as compared to early spring and last year. Am I over analyzing this situation? I would appreciate any input you can provide. Thanks Mark
A dozen worms $2.00 Buying your grandson a new pole $25.00 The look on your grandson's face when he catches his first fish PRICELESS!
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Joined: Jul 2011
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The experts will ask for pictures if you have them. And any other facts you may have.
Brian
The one thing is the one thing A dry fly catches no fish Try not to be THAT 10%
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Pale fish normally come from muddy waters.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
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I agree with RM fish color is usually directly related to water or spawning..
I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease.. BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Photos say a million words.
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Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
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Pale fish normally come from muddy waters. Yeah no doubt. I fish a lake here by me that you can't see past 10 inches and the bass out of that lake look like crappie! The clearer your water the better color your fish will have. Now with that said it's best to try and find a happy medium. Like most say on here about 18 inches to 2 feet is good. The bass in my pond are VERY colorful because you can see 5 feet down in my pond, but that's not always a good thing either, and thats a whole other story.
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Joined: Jul 2011
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You guys have so much info, it is such a pleasure learning from everyone here!
Thanks for the great info about coloration. Without taking over the thread, can you talk as to why the coloration changes with water clarity please? Is it a mating issue, sunlight issue, or maybe a camo issue?
Brian
The one thing is the one thing A dry fly catches no fish Try not to be THAT 10%
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Last edited by ewest; 08/08/11 02:35 PM.
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Joined: May 2010
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Lunker
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Lunker
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Those are some nice looking LMB right there.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 84
Lunker
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Lunker
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First...thanks for all input here. It's definately not muddy water, the normal clarity is 40+ inches and right now it's anywhere between 20" and 30" with a bloom that has turned from green to brown over the last 3 weeks. Water ph runs 8.5-8.8 and alkalinity was 70 the last time I checked it. I'm out of town right now and won't be home till tomorrow night. Hopefully I can catch one the albino wannabees and I will post a pic asap. Good info ewest....thanks! mark
A dozen worms $2.00 Buying your grandson a new pole $25.00 The look on your grandson's face when he catches his first fish PRICELESS!
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Ambassador Lunker
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Not saying that your PH is the problem but that pH reading seems a little high for LMB. Maybe they are just somewhat stressed out because of the higher PH? LMB do better in a PH range of about 6.5 to 7.8. Like I said not sure it that's your problem or not im just saying?
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
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Joined: May 2011
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Joined: May 2011
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What kind of soil you got there? It has a great impact on fish color. Have you ever seen the same fish sort caught in swamp pond and in a really clear lake? The first will be really dark.
But probably high water temperature may affect the color also. This weekend I was fishing roach (dunno whether you know such fish but it doesn't matter anyway). Normally they got orange fins but my fish were pale - really pale. Usually they get pale after being dead for some time. Probably that's because of warm water there...
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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I tend to see more darkly colored fish in acidic waters. Perhaps the higher pH has an opposite affect making the bass lighter?
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Lunker
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The pond has a clay bottom, there's quite a bit of muck in some areas, the pond is 15 years old. The water is crystal clear when no bloom is happening. The ph figures were a typo (oops! that's what I get for posting when I should have been sleeping) should have been 7.5 to 7.8.All the other values were correct though. I was out of town for a few days and havn't been fishing. I will try to post a pic tomorrow. Thanks!
A dozen worms $2.00 Buying your grandson a new pole $25.00 The look on your grandson's face when he catches his first fish PRICELESS!
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