Fishing with Christie Story of a Fat Girl

Let me tell you a secret....bass weigh their heaviest during summer! No, you say, most big fish come out in spring.  True, because that is the time when there is a large concentration of big fish situated in accessible shallower water, which is easier to fish.  But, many anglers mistakenly believe the big fish are much heavier because they are filled with eggs.  Yes, to a degree the roe does add a bit of extra weight to the fish, but the biggest contributing weight factor is fat.
Mmmm, that fact rings true for man and beast....  What builds fat?  Food, lots of food!  Back to beast - when does a fish consume lots and lots of food? During the summer months, when warm water temperatures boost a cold-blooded creature’s metabolism – the higher the metabolism rate, the faster digestion, and the sooner the need to feed.  The peak feeding period occurs when the water temperature is between 21 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Here is a relative weight comparison between roe and fat in a 4.5kg female bass.  Typically a female in this weight class will have a length of about 66cm, and a girth of 43cm.  At most, during the spawn this fish will carry about 450 grams of roe.  Imagine this same fish has had a whole summer, or even a couple of good summers, to feed on an excess of bait fish, enough to increase her girth to 60cm.  The fat reserves she has built up within her body cavity could easily weigh up to 4kg, and instead of catching a 4-kilo bass, you could have an 8-kilo bass on the end of your line!

Fishing vs. Hunting
I know a lot of fishermen and I know a lot of hunters, and I spend a lot of time in their company.  After countless conversations around the camp fire, boat dock, launch ramp and weigh-station, I have come to the conclusion that fishing and hunting have a lot in common, especially when it comes to bagging that elusive trophy specimen.
A trophy, be it a fish or animal, has learnt through experience how best to avoid the supreme predator, man.  If it had not already learnt from previous close encounters it would most likely be hanging on someone’s wall by now; the best way to stay alive is to avoid all places where man may most likely look for it.
So what are the implications for the fisherman or hunter? Be wise, be cautious, and learn to think like your prey.  Avoid all those popular fishing spots where everybody else fishes.  Present your lure/gun in areas too deep, too impenetrable, too uncomfortable and unattractive to be targeted by less dedicated trophy hunters.
Trophy creatures like their solitude.  They will hide out in areas with enough cover to protect them from harassment and, having found its comfort zone, will most likely stay in this one small territory the majority of the time, only venturing out on occasion to feed.  Remember, in bass fishing deep water can also be considered cover.
When you think you have found a likely big-bass hideaway, fish slowly, fish methodically, and fish thoroughly.
- Tight Lines & Happy Fishing!

Next time: Read why trophy hunting and trophy fishing have a lot in common.