Methods & Materials Methods: Sampling by Rod and Reel (various casting methods)

1. Relationship Between Lure Size and Fish Size in Largemouth BassBy Roger Bitz Undergraduate Student (Fisheries Concentration)Biology Department of Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505 • Introduction • Many factors can influence largemouth bass feeding patterns. • This can make it difficult for anglers to catch fish. • Bass anglers focus on the controlled and uncontrolled variables. • The more intuition an angler can develop over the controlled variables, the more he/she can adapt to the uncontrolled variables. This = Greater angler success! • Lure Size was the controlled variable analyzed in this experiment. • Results • 41 total specimens caught (Micropterussalmoides) • Range 241.3 mm (~9.5 in.) – 584.2 mm (~23 in.) • Mean TL = 383.94 mm (15.12 in.) • See Table 1-1 • Total # of fish and TL/fish plotted in relation to lure size to determine length frequency and correlation (MS Excel) • (Fig. 1-1) • Conclusion • Lure size is positively correlated with size of fish caught • Hypothesis was correct • Null is rejected! • Take home message: BIG lures catch BIGGER fish! • Acknowledgements • Dr. S. Bradford Cook for his professional fisheries advice and guidance • TTU Biology Department for the use of the media • Kevin Pitts for his phenomenal statistical abilities • Norris Craft boat company for building the finest custom made bass boats on the planet • Lake Guntersville for once again producing when I needed her to • Objective & Hypothesis • The objective of this experiment was to determine if a correlation exists between fishing lure size (prey size) and size of black bass (Micropterus salmoides) caught. • Hypothesis was that there would be a direct correlation. • The null was that there would be no correlation between lure size and size of largemouth bass caught. • Methods & Materials • Methods: • Sampling by Rod and Reel (various casting methods) • Three lure sizes tested (based on length/weight) • Multiple 9-hour outings • Each outing broken down into three 3-hour segments, with lure size change occurring every hour • Materials consisted of: • Boat, tackle, rods/reels, measuring board, electronics & map.