Science of the Strike

Episode 25 continues our Prey Mini-Series with a deep look at blueback herring, which are arguably the single most disruptive baitfish in modern American bass fishing. We get into what bluebacks actually are, how they ended up in lakes hundreds of miles from saltwater, and what they've done to every fishery that hosts them. We talk about the behavioral rewrite they cause: bass abandoning struc...

If you only listen to one episode of this show, we'd ask you to make it this one. Episode 24 is all about fish care when angling for largemouth bass. Fish care doesn't get the airtime that lure selection or pattern-of-the-week content does, but every fish you catch is a fish whose survival is at least partly in your hands, and most anglers, ourselves included, have been doing things wrong...

Episode 23 keeps the Experience vs. Science miniseries rolling, this time with the founder of Big Bass Dreams and a guy who's spent more time analyzing largemouth bass than most people will spend during their whole lives, Oliver Ngy. We sat down to figure out where his decades on the water line up with the peer-reviewed literature, and where the two camps quietly disagree. We get into angler p...

In the conclusion of our deep dive into the spawn, Episode 22 moves from the largemouth bass's internal biology to its external action. We explore the dramatic behavioral shift that occurs when a largemouth bass transitions from a nomadic hunter to a hyper-focused protector. Episode 22 breaks down the science of nesting behavior, explaining the specific environmental triggers that cause a bass...

In Episode 21, we kick off a two-part deep dive into the most critical period of a bass's life: The Spawn. While most anglers focus on finding beds, Episode 21 focuses on the incredible internal transformation that dictates every move a bass makes during the spring. We break down the anatomy and physiology that drive the reproductive cycle, from the microscopic level to the physical toll it ta...

In Episode 20, we’re breaking down one of the most powerful and often frustrating variables in fishing: the wind. While most anglers see wind as a nuisance for boat control, the science reveals it is a massive biological trigger that completely reorganizes the food chain. We’ll explore the physics of how wind creates circular currents, pushing plankton and baitfish into concentrated zones and turn...

Continuing our mini-series on prey, Episode 19 leaps into the high-protein world of the frog. While every angler loves a topwater explosion, there is a complex biological reason why a largemouth bass is willing to exert so much energy to track and ambush these amphibians. We’ll break down the specific nutritional profile that makes frogs a "premium" meal and explore the sensory triggers...

In Episode 18, we sit down with Bassmaster Classic Champion and Major League Fishing star Ott DeFoe to dissect how his world-class instincts align with the latest in bass biology. Known for his analytical approach, Ott provides a unique perspective on how real-world tournament pressure forces an angler to adapt alongside the fish. We explore how Ott’s legendary ability to read water and current in...

In Episode 17, we explore the dynamic anatomy, physiology, and biology behind a largemouth bass's metabolism. It turns out that a significant number of misconceptions in the angling community stem from misunderstandings of how metabolism works in largemouth bass. Expanding on the findings discussed in Episode 16, recent scientific research reveals a direct link between high-pressure environmen...

Are the bass getting smarter, or are we literally breeding them to be harder to catch? In Episode 16, we dive into a groundbreaking and controversial discovery: Fisheries-Induced Evolution. Science reveals that heavy angler pressure isn't just making bass "lure shy" for a day. Rather, it’s actually rewriting their genome. We break down the studies showing that the "catchability&...

Have you ever wondered if largemouth bass have a "home" in a given lake? In Episode 15, we break down the science behind the hidden world of largemouth bass homing mechanisms and social communities. We reveal the research showing why bass have a strong, loyal "home range," using incredible sensory cues from subtle scent trails to the earth's magnetic fields to return to the...

It's time to connect our classroom-style lessons to real-world results. Joining us in Episode 14 is seasoned Major League Fishing pro, Brian Latimer, an angler known for his analytical approach and consistent performance. We'll be diving deep into how the core scientific theories we've explored throughout the series stack up against his years of professional experience. Brian has made...

Crappie are a primary target for many anglers, but for a trophy largemouth bass, they represent something entirely different: a high-calorie, high-value meal. In Episode 13, we dissect the hidden predator-prey relationship between largemouth bass and crappie to give you a scientific blueprint for targeting the biggest fish in the lake. Continuing on our prey series, we're going beyond the usua...

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...

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 und...

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 fishe...

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 u...

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 E...

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, adaptab...

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 dr...

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...

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.