----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2003 4:19
AM
Subject: [VFB] Quote
"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.
