Hydrowave....Catching fish or anglers?

[pondboss]

I was reading my newest B.A.S.S. Times and found an article very interesting.  I'm not very computer savy so I unfortunately can't post the article.

The article was titled:

Knock Knock Can bass hear you?

From what I read it made it sound like bass are basically deaf.  Their experiments showed that bass would not react to the sound of shiners mating, but would react when they saw the shiners.  I know that with out the article what I'm saying sounds like gibberish, but after reading it I totally questioned whether or not the Hydrowave was to helo catch fish or just to catch fishermen.

[stratos bandit]

Since I had pondered getting one this winter, I am curious to see what the general opinion is.

[K2Racing29]

This isn't a vouch for or against the hydro wave, just input to the hearing in question. Bass actually have 2 means of hearing. An inner ear much like that of a human and a lateral line system. Both are dependent on water movement and vibration. So, they can "hear" although their sight is superior. If you're bored and have the time for a scientific approach to bass, read "Knowing Bass". Very cool insight to bass.
As far as the hydro wave, KVD swears it has been the key to his success since its introduction. Endorsements aside, he and a number of Elites have them in use and they have been on the winning boats this year. Toledo Bend was one that comes to mind. Chapman had one aboard.


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[CraigP83]

I was listening to Iaconelli and Britt Myers talk about this topic last week and the concensus I got from them was.....they didn't know. It's one of those things that it probably isn't going to hurt you and in some instances it might be what sets you apart from the rest of the field so why not have it just incase. Britt Myers did recall one instance on Okechobee were on 3 separate occasions a bass came out of the weeds, swam up to the trolling motor, looked at it for a second and then swam away. He had the hydrowave on when it happened and he figured that was enough proof for him.

[K2Racing29]

It could be something as simple as a "strange noise" deterrent. Much in the same way an "attractant" is more of a cover up for human scent more than it attracts bass, the hydro wave could be a cover up for sonar and trolling motor noise. Not only covering up those sounds but emitting a familiar, instinctive sound that bass can relate to and in turn are attracted to.
Interesting topic.


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[Creel Limit Zero]

Britt Myers did recall one instance on Okechobee were on 3 separate occasions a bass came out of the weeds, swam up to the trolling motor, looked at it for a second and then swam away. He had the hydrowave on when it happened and he figured that was enough proof for him.

Sounds like a fish story to me...   

[ʇuǝɹq™]

Sounds like a fish story to me...   

I personally heard a couple different Elite guys say they've had bass come up and strike their trolling motor.

[bassmaster3541]

I can't personally say if it works or not, but a guy I fish with sometimes has one and he said it hasn't changed anything at all for him

[Creel Limit Zero]

I can't personally say if it works or not, but a guy I fish with sometimes has one and he said it hasn't changed anything at all for him

Same here, folks have them around here but they say they have not noticed a difference.  I can not say one way or another, I do not have one.

I personally heard a couple different Elite guys say they've had bass come up and strike their trolling motor.

I would be shocked if that many of them would make that up if it doesn't happen.  That being said, seeing is believing.   

[E5Zero]

I have one and the jury is still out on how well it works.  What I can say is that on several occasions I have had shad go nuts around the boat and think it actually stimulated some schooling action last week on Lake Ouachita in Arkansas.  I found some bait balls, started throwing around them and here comes a bunch of shad to the top with small schoolies right behind them.  I caught a couple of dinks on a trap, but could not drag up any good fish around the bait.

[Brudd]

I can't personally say if it works or not, but a guy I fish with sometimes has one and he said it hasn't changed anything at all for him

With no disrespect to your homie that doesn't mean much. They only claim to attract fish, not put them on your hook.  You have still have to have the skill and knowledge to convince the bass to bite. 

[bassmaster3541]

With no disrespect to your homie that doesn't mean much. They only claim to attract fish, not put them on your hook.  You have still have to have the skill and knowledge to convince the bass to bite.

He knows how to fish, he has won multiple big tournaments, including some big ones on Champlain.

[pondboss]

It could be something as simple as a "strange noise" deterrent. Much in the same way an "attractant" is more of a cover up for human scent more than it attracts bass, the hydro wave could be a cover up for sonar and trolling motor noise. Not only covering up those sounds but emitting a familiar, instinctive sound that bass can relate to and in turn are attracted to.
Interesting topic.

To me this sounds like a great idea.  I could see covering up the noise of walking around in the boat and playing the radio.  I know about the lateral line, but isn't that more of a vibration thing where they can "hear with feel"?  I don't even own a boat, but when I do it's doubtful I will put one in unless there is just great evidence for it.

[stratos bandit]

Sound is vibration and will be picked up by their lateral line and inner ear.

The real question is will they relate the sound to what the machine is intending to simulate.

[pondboss]

Here's the thing though, if sound is vibration then why are the bass not hearing the shiners in the study?  I totally understand the whole lateral line thing and how it picks up vibration to let them hear, feel, see etc.

I agree that there is nothing positive that the fish are "hearing" what is intended.

The cool thing that I forgot to mention, was in the article they found that bass sorta kinda talk to each other, and can understand the noises that they make towards each other.

[K2Racing29]

The cool thing that I forgot to mention, was in the article they found that bass sorta kinda talk to each other, and can understand the noises that they make towards each other.

I have this theory that caught bass in my live well thrash to send a warning out to their buddies that anglers are approaching, don't eat. And you just helped prove my theory even more...ha


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[ace203rm]

I purchased one this spring.  I turn it on and off to see if there is any difference in fish catching.  So far after 30+ days on the lake I cannot tell any difference in it.  If I had to do it over again I would save my $$$.

[Mike Cork]

I don't want to put anyone on the spot but I'm going too and may get in trouble

Ron Fogelson has had the opportunity to play with one of these. I can't get into a lot of detail on what he said about them because I don't want to put words in his mouth, but according to him, more than anything it gets the shad active. He said if he turns it on and the shad to go nuts he won't catch any fish. If they do go nuts he can start whacking them? Last we talked about it he didn't feel that it was the end all to bass fishing tools but just that another tool that has to be used in the right place at the right time. You don't cast a pop r on top of a mat of hydrilla....

[coldfront]

I was reading my newest B.A.S.S. Times and found an article very interesting.  I'm not very computer savy so I unfortunately can't post the article.

The article was titled:

Knock Knock Can bass hear you?

From what I read it made it sound like bass are basically deaf.  Their experiments showed that bass would not react to the sound of shiners mating, but would react when they saw the shiners.  I know that with out the article what I'm saying sounds like gibberish, but after reading it I totally questioned whether or not the Hydrowave was to helo catch fish or just to catch fishermen.

Pondboss, I re-read that article...I didn't take it that fish are basically deaf...but it's not secret that they respond primarily via sight...(the experiment looking at the sound of baitfish vs the actual sight of them)...

key here is that this article explored the function of the ear...next installment goes into depth on the role of the lateral line...  let's see how it plays out with that piece...


always bear in mind that we/bass are not reliant on a single sense...but all of our senses in combination...so while 'hearing' may not be the key driver...it certainly will have some involvment...although I suspect that evaluating a bass' hearing with the lateral line separated out, while a great scientific approach and a great tool to define/learn...does become a very limited 'view' of the capabilities/tendencies of the animal.

having said that:  it's a great way to break down just one small part of the equation...that can lead to a much greater, deeper and correct understanding of the entire 'system/organism'...


Stay tuned and great job reading/thinking through the process!



as an aside:  Dr. Keith Jones is a piscatorial ROCK STAR...insert your own puns about groupies...er groupers...