[VFB] Quote

[Richard Zieger]

"Recent studies performed at Florida State University identified a clear relationship between strike speed and fish size in several species of freshwater fish,  Basically, the mechanics of prey capture is similar among fish species.  Most fish use a combination of ram and suction feeding behaviors. The ram feeding phase relies on the forward motion of body and jaws to overtake and capture prey.  The suction-feeding phase begins as a fish approaches its prey.  A negative pressure gradient is generated inside the fish's mouth as it's opened, causing prey fish, zooplankton, or bottom-dwelling invertebrates to be vacuumed in. Researchers Barton Richard and Peter 'Wainwright studied largemouth bass to determine how increasing body size affected jaw physiology and feeding behavior.  Although jaw structure increase proportionately as size increases, larger bass open and close their mouths slower than smaller bass. This produces a slower overall strike speed in larger fish.  According to Dr. Wainwright, the strike of a 5-pound bass takes 50% longer than the strike of a 1-pound bass.  Strike speed continues to decrease as bass size increases. In a similar study, Peter Wainwright and Samantha Shaw studies the feeding mechanics of pumpkinseed sunfish and bluegill.  Larger fish of each of these species took longer to open and close their mouths during the strike. Large ram feeders such as muskies and pike also strike slower than smaller pike and muskies.  When fishing for larger fish, waiting a half second or so longer before setting the hook may be the difference between hooking a big one and talking about the one that got away."   "In-Fisherman"  April/May 2003   Rick   PS  I have the  reference for the original works this comes from if you want it. Science proves what some of you have done. For me, I think my hook setting speed is so slow that I don't have to worry about this.