Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Hook Shy Fish

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Negative reinforcement is not about the fish no longer eating the same food itmes. What often happens in "wiser" or more eexperienced fish is they become a little more cautious with each negative event when they eat that or similar items. Each time they take a little longer to examine the item before eating it. Watching to see if anything obvious or unnatural is present. Repetitive behavior with negative reinforcement and the fish becomes more and more cautious before rushing in to feed. Some like people slowly or never learn and with fish (at least in public waters) are eventually soon removed from the system.

Often more aggressive and younger fish, rush in to feed while the more experiened fish often lingers before feeding. This is one reason why one can usually catch smaller fish easier than larger fish (trophies) despite in many waters trophies are fairly common (DNR netting studies). If the wiser fish sees any negative reinforcement (buddy is hooked & emits fright pheromones) this also can create even more caution while feeding. In-Fisherman mag in several articles mentions that hook shy fish often approach lures, examine, an then turn and leave. Caution prevailed for that fish. Older wiser fish are often harder to catch while younger fish can usually be realily caught.

I have numerous pellet feeding fish that can keenly recognize real pellets from roundish seeds or other similar looking stuff on the surface. Younger ones rapidly rush in for any pellet looking item. Some will try the fakes but wiser fish ignore it. I am confident that wiser fish can easily recognize a pellet on even a smallish hook. Hook and line make a pellet look enough different and the wiser fish first wait and examine before eating. Did you ever watch an old, large wise bluegill very slowly approach and examine a food item before finally taking it? Why do you think it was lingerling and approaching so hesitantly? It wasn't becasue it was inexperienced. Those inexperienced ones were removed long before.