Relationship Between Relationship Between Lure Size and Fish Size in Lure Size and Fish Size in

Black BassBlack Bass

By Roger BitzBy Roger BitzUndergraduate Student (Fisheries Undergraduate Student (Fisheries

Concentration)Concentration)Department of BiologyDepartment of Biology

Tennessee Tech UniversityTennessee Tech UniversityCookeville, TN 38505Cookeville, TN 38505

Project SummaryProject Summary• Many factors can influence black bass feeding patterns.Many factors can influence black bass feeding patterns.

• This can make it difficult for anglers to catch fish.This can make it difficult for anglers to catch fish.

• The objective of this experiment is to determine if a The objective of this experiment is to determine if a correlation exists between fishing lure size (prey size) and correlation exists between fishing lure size (prey size) and size of black bass (size of black bass (Micropterus sppMicropterus spp.) caught..) caught.

• The null is that there is no correlation between lure size The null is that there is no correlation between lure size and size of black bass caught.and size of black bass caught.

• A series of experiments will be conducted to determine if A series of experiments will be conducted to determine if a correlation exists.a correlation exists.

• I expect to find that overall, there is a positive correlation I expect to find that overall, there is a positive correlation between lure size and size of black bass caught.between lure size and size of black bass caught.

Introduction and Introduction and BackgroundBackground

Have you ever wondered what lure to Have you ever wondered what lure to use when fishing?use when fishing?

• Uncontrolled VariablesUncontrolled Variables

• Controlled VariablesControlled Variables

Uncontrolled VariablesUncontrolled Variables

• Barometric pressure Barometric pressure • Weather fronts and conditionsWeather fronts and conditions• SunlightSunlight• Water temperature Water temperature • D.O.D.O.• Water clarity (Turbidity) Water clarity (Turbidity) • Current Current • Seasonal movementsSeasonal movements• SpawnSpawn• Available forageAvailable forage• Individual fish sizeIndividual fish size

Controlled VariablesControlled Variables

• Rod/Reel/Line/ selectionRod/Reel/Line/ selection

• Tackle selectionTackle selection

• LocationLocation

• TimingTiming

• Presentation/MechanicsPresentation/Mechanics

• Confidence/State of MindConfidence/State of Mind

Key ConceptKey Concept

• The more intuition an angler can The more intuition an angler can develop over the controlled develop over the controlled variables, the more he/she can adapt variables, the more he/she can adapt to the uncontrolled variables. to the uncontrolled variables. This=Greater angler success!This=Greater angler success!

Ex.Ex. AcclimationAcclimation

This project - This project - Lure SizeLure Size

Previous ResearchPrevious Research• Lure-size restrictions in recreational fisheries (Wilde Lure-size restrictions in recreational fisheries (Wilde

et al 2003)et al 2003)

• Variation in prey-resource utilization and oral jaw Variation in prey-resource utilization and oral jaw gape between two populations of largemouth bass gape between two populations of largemouth bass (Huskey and Turingan 2001)(Huskey and Turingan 2001)

• Patterns of diet and growth in co-occurring Patterns of diet and growth in co-occurring populations of largemouth bass and smallmouth bass populations of largemouth bass and smallmouth bass (Olsen and Young 2003)(Olsen and Young 2003)

• Seasonal and size-related food habits of largemouth Seasonal and size-related food habits of largemouth bass in two Connecticut lakes (Ward and Neumann bass in two Connecticut lakes (Ward and Neumann 1998)1998)

• Diet and prey selection of naturalized smallmouth Diet and prey selection of naturalized smallmouth bass in an oligotrophic Adirondack lakebass in an oligotrophic Adirondack lake (Weidel et al (Weidel et al 2000)2000)

ObjectiveObjective

• Determine if a correlation exists between Determine if a correlation exists between fishing lure size (prey size) and size of fishing lure size (prey size) and size of black bass (black bass (Micropterus sppMicropterus spp.) caught..) caught.

• There is no direct correlation between lure There is no direct correlation between lure size and size of black bass caught. (Null)size and size of black bass caught. (Null)

Study SiteStudy SiteLake Guntersville, ALLake Guntersville, AL

• 67,900 acres/76 mi. long67,900 acres/76 mi. long

• Abundance of Vegetation Abundance of Vegetation (Hydrilla and Milfoil)(Hydrilla and Milfoil)

• Black bass forage includes:Black bass forage includes: Sunfish, Threadfin and Sunfish, Threadfin and Gizzard shad, shiners, Gizzard shad, shiners, minnows and crayfishminnows and crayfish

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials

Materials:Materials:

BoatBoat

Electronics & MapElectronics & Map

Rods/Reels, Tackle, Measuring BoardRods/Reels, Tackle, Measuring Board

Methods:Methods:

• Sampling by Rod and Reel (various casting Sampling by Rod and Reel (various casting methods)methods)

• Three lure sizes tested (based on length/weight)Three lure sizes tested (based on length/weight)

• Multiple 9-hour outingsMultiple 9-hour outings

• Each outing broken down into three 3-hour Each outing broken down into three 3-hour segments, with lure size change occurring segments, with lure size change occurring every hourevery hour

Statistics:Statistics:

• Total lengths/fish & calculate mean TL Total lengths/fish & calculate mean TL

• Total # of fish and TL/fish plotted for each Total # of fish and TL/fish plotted for each lure size to determine length frequencylure size to determine length frequency

• Use T-test to determine if there is Use T-test to determine if there is significant difference between mean TL significant difference between mean TL versus lure sizeversus lure size

Data FormData Form

• Data FormData Form

Expected Results and Expected Results and BenefitsBenefits

• Give confidence and strategy to Give confidence and strategy to anglers abroad anglers abroad

• Anglers can selectively choose their Anglers can selectively choose their lure based on the size/number of fish lure based on the size/number of fish they want to catchthey want to catch

• Lure manufacturers can better Lure manufacturers can better market their productmarket their product

• End war in Middle EastEnd war in Middle East

Project Timeline Project Timeline

Budget (Annually)Budget (Annually)

SalarySalary 80,00080,000

TruckTruck 54,00054,000

BoatBoat 60,00060,000

Rod/Reel CombosRod/Reel Combos 15,00015,000

TackleTackle 9,0009,000

GASGAS 7,5007,500

CampingCamping 2,5002,500

FoodFood 5,0005,000

ComputerComputer 2,0002,000

Misc.Misc. 5,0005,000

TotalTotal 240,000240,000

What’s Next?What’s Next?

• Go Fish!Go Fish!