Thread: Bream bedding behavior

Anything I respond is pretty much just opinion based on past experiences, certainly not scientific and I'm no expert. But I'll take a stab at some of the questions because this could be a very interesting (and informative) thread.

1. Most of my life I've paid virtually no attention to the moon phase. I caught bluegill where I found them. I have at least casually looked at solunar tables (though never let that determine whether to fish or not) and those tables are tied directly to moon phase. I believe time of year, length of daylight and water temperatures have more sway than moon phase. Having said that, I don't know much about moon phase and have just this year paid much of any attention but a whole lot of people swear bluegill, shellcrackers etc spawn on the full (and new) moon phases...which correspond to high activity phases going back to the solunar tables.

2. I still bet my money on length of daylight and water temperatures and condition but IF the full moon is particularly relevant, then I suppose the answer is "Yes".

3. See above two answers (opinion)

4. I think a lot of the bites while bedding are partially agressive, attacking anything near the bed, they still have to eat whether spawning or not. I believe fish are pretty opportunistic, which explains fish sometimes eating until they regurgitate...and then eat some more.

5. I believe fronts affect all fish. Cold fronts are notorious for turning off the bite. Barometric pressure affects every living creature, even us.

6. No experience, don't know.

7. If I had multiple beds pegged down, yeah, I'd catch a few and move on just to prevent disturbing or removing too many fish from one area excessively. Certainly won't hurt. If a male is protecting fertilized eggs, and he's removed, something immediately moves in and eats those eggs.

8. Sort of tied to above answer but I don't believe there's any harm in catch and release of panfish. Having said that, in a healty lake, it would be kind of hard to overfish panfish. Even in ponds, removing panfish, within reason, doesn't hurt. Sort of depends on water size and natural predators. Removing too many predators CAN throw things out of balance and particularly removing too many big bass from a pond can result in overpopulated, stunted bluegills. Overall, depends on water size.

9. Same answer as #6

10. Not sure. Probably no foul either way. During crappie spawn, many females with eggs are caught and eaten. Look at #8 above. Removing individual fish isn't the problem and has little effect on the fishery (again within reason) I believe any concerns with overfishing, could be tied to removing fish with eggs. They lay 10's of thousands of eggs because so few actually survive to spawning age under good condition. Releasing fish with eggs or removing them I believe isn't really as relevant as the overall health of the fishery. Removing panfish because they tend to overpopulate is sort of taking into account a lot that are removed have eggs. But I'd like to hear others weigh-in on this. We're getting into fishery/biology/science here. I also believe the smaller the water body the more profound the effect of removing or releasing fish.

11. No doubt Purina Trout Chow produces trout that taste like Purina Trout Chow. There is NO comparison between wild trout or salmon vs. hatchery/fish farm products. I can't imagine any other fish would react any differently. In any healthy ecosystem, the only reason to artificially feed fish is to increase biomass. Remember, you are what you eat.

Anyway, there's my 2 cents worth. Remember, just my opinions, I'm no fishery biologist.

Those are two great looking gills you show there. Glad you got into a bunch of nice size ones.

Very nice fish. Thanks for an interesting and informative thread.
Bob

Today, caught two more limits -- 50 -- and released them. Caught them on 3 different beds so as not to overdo it anywhere. I caught this marauder, believe it or not, on a trout magnet, which I was using for bream! Weighed 4.84 lbs and it was quite a long battle. Rod was B 'n' M Sam Heaton Super Sensitive 9 ft and reel is a Lews something, smallest I could find, I guess it's a 1000 series type reel, and line was 4 lb test Viscious Panfish. When the fish got to the boat and went under it, I thought my rod would break, it was bent double but it held up great.

The limit of coppernose I caught yesterday (25) was all males and today, we caught a number of females. They are big and they pull uber hard, a blast on a 9 ft rod.

My brother was using 2 lb test Trout Magnet brand line and we both agreed that we can't stand 2 lb line. It's just a huge PITA to use in the wind and even in calm, it's just too dang small. It doesn't seem to matter at all versus using 4 lb test. I can cast just about as far and it's far, far stronger and easier to tie. I am next going to try 4 lb Nanofil. We would like to cast farther if possible.

Bass pic below. You can see the black (has green as the other color but you can't see anything but black) trout magnet in its lip if you look close. That fish might be a spawned female?

Before the actual spawn happens there is prep work to be done. The big bull males move in and begin fanning the pits well before the spawn. So yeah to catch fish on them before the moon's would be normal. They also remain after the spawn to patrol the pits. IMO this is the most crucial time...I let them be here at this point so they can protect the eggs. I try to pay attention to the actual reaction of my bait. Was it inhaled or was it simply picked up and carried off. Spawning fish will simply carry it off. As far as the dog food flavored fish. I'm not sure which is worse that or the eating worms and bugs.

Sent from my E6910 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Very nice fish and comments. That was a real nice bruiser and what a fight. I would like to tangle with one of those someday.
Bob