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It's All About Oxygen Levels In Water Columns

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DAVE DOUGLASS

Heartland Fishing Forecast

Published: July 27, 2008

The last quarter moon occurred Saturday at 6:42 p.m. and triggered excellent early morning fishing conditions.

The major daytime feeding migration happens during the entire morning, with a peak period happening between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. today and tomorrow, with Tuesday's peak periods each starting 40 minutes later than the previous day.

The duration and intensity of the morning bite remains constant through Wednesday and then starts to decline slightly as it moves later into the day and is affected by the heat of the day. Keep in mind, though, that there's a chance of the bite being enhanced by afternoon thunderstorms which would then make up for the lack of lunar affects due to the summer heat.

The areas with the most wind - providing there is not a heavy extreme wind - and wave action with little or no thick submersed vegetation will hold feeding fish all morning long. Anglers will be able to work several areas of the lake due to the extended duration of the total feeding period lasting four or five hours.

By noon to 1:00 p.m., the fish will shut down completely and perhaps turn back on after the sunlight causes submersed vegetation to produce oxygen enough to compensate for the natural depletion of oxygen due to evaporation increase, caused by high temperatures.

The forecast is hard to predict this time of year.

There's a fine line in determining exactly the right time during the lunar cycle that will put the angler in the right place at the right time. If every angler had an expensive dissolved oxygen meter it would take a lot of the guesswork. It's all about oxygen levels within the water column this time of year.

Fishing Facts

The Florida largemouth bass anglers have it all their way for the next four days.

Each day, they are up before the sun rises to prepare their boats - this experience never grows old; it's the anticipation of the "fishing plan's results" that wakes the angler up completely in less than one minute. The eyes open three minutes before the alarm with enough energy to last all day.

The first factor giving the angler his way is a barometric change occurs first thing in the morning - usually a slight rise in pressure. This atmospheric pressure flex serves to increase the hydraulic pressure just enough to stimulate migration - either to or from main feeding areas depending on the weather conditions over the prior 24 hours.

The second factor giving the angler his way is that water temperatures are at the daytime low, which serves to enhance digestion and feeding energy because of the oxygen levels being substantial enough within the fish-established feeding areas in the lake. Note: Most areas in the lake will not experience this effect, as in submersed vegetative areas which use the water's dissolved oxygen during the night - result is not enough oxygen to energize fish.

The third factor giving the angler his way is that influent streams, creeks and rivers provide cool oxygenated currents which carry food to the entire food chain. The areas of lake entrance provide ideal conditions for every sized fish to find a variety of foods in huge supply.

The fourth factor giving the angler his way is that the coolest part of the day provides the same benefits for angler and fish at the same time. Both are sharing the same level of comfort, and both have the greatest chances of catching their prey.

The fifth factor giving the angler his way is that the angler leaves the lake when the heat becomes unbearable knowing the fish won't be eating much until tomorrow morning and slightly later in the morning. This allows the angler to prepare and be making adjustments based on the prior day's research in time to be in the perfect position for the peak period to start.

Each day offers a better chance at achieving success at greater levels.

The sixth factor giving the angler his way is that anglers get to create some of the best fishing stories of the month. The "one-that-got-away" stories will abound, pictures of trophy bass uploaded onto computers, and lessons build character and personality, and memories to last several lifetimes.

A fishing day for the Florida bass angler doesn't get any better than today through Thursday.

Fishing Tournaments

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is June 30 on Lake June. Time: 7:30 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp - entry fee $30.00 per boat. One person may fish alone if you do not have a partner. For information, contact Paul Tardiff at (863)385-8007 Home, Cell (863) 446-1310 bassbutchie60@aol.com or Dwight Ameling at (863)471-3305.

The Angler Gets His Way!

For the next four days, anglers can have it all because of the following reasons:

Reason One: A barometric change occurs first thing in the morning - usually a slight rise in pressure - helping to stimulate migration.

Reason Two: Water temperatures are at the daytime low, serving to enhance digestion and feeding energy because oxygen levels are substantial enough within the fish-established feeding areas in the lake.

Reason Three: Influent streams, creeks and rivers provide cool oxygenated currents which carry food to the entire food chain.

Reason Four: The coolest part of the day provides the same benefits for angler and fish - comfort level.

Reason Five: The angler leaves the lake when the heat becomes unbearable, knowing the fish won't be eating, allowing him time to prepare and make adjustments for the next day.

Reason Six: Anglers get to create some great fishing stories.

Dave Douglass is a bass-fishing guide and bass tournament angler and CEO of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes, Inc. He can be reached at 863-381-8474, or e-mail him at davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org.

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