Water pHs Effect on Catching Bass

Gardeners need to know the pH of their soil or how acidic the soil is to know what soil amendments to make and bass fisherman can benefit from knowing the pH of the water in the ponds and lakes they fish. The amount of pH in the water is an important factor for fisherman to consider. Knowing the pH of the water where you are trying to catch bass tells you whether bass are likely to be in that location.

pH is not at the same level throughout fresh water lakes and ponds. It can vary from 3.2 to 10 in the same body of water. Decaying plants raise the pH of the surface water above them but don't affect the pH on the bottom. Consequently, bottom waters usually have lower pH than surface waters. Then you have photosynthesis by algae and other aquatic plants that convert the energy from the sun into oxygen and glucose which drives pH up. Chemical pollutants depending on what type they are can drive pH up or down and soil run offs from erosion and farmlands also raise the pH.

Bass can regulate their internal pH keeping it at a constant level over a wide variance in pH levels in their environment. Bass have been found to be healthy in lakes with pH as low as 4.3 which is very acidic water. The bass are capable of adjusting the relative alkalinity of their blood and tissue fluids. They do this by getting rid of excess acid and other chemical waste in their urine and by regulating their breathing to get rid of excess carbon dioxide from their blood. They do this by increasing the ventilation rate through their gills.

Of course there is a limit to how much self regulation of low pH bass can do. If they are in highly acidic (low pH) water for extended periods of time they expend too much energy regulating their natural chemistry and they weaken, stop feeding and die. Bass will avoid low pH or high pH waters so if you want to increase your chances of catching bass stay away from parts of the lake that have low or high pH. Some fishermen equip themselves with pH meters to test the water they are fishing to increase their chances of success. The pH of the water is just another factor to consider along with looking for known fish attractors like submerged trees on a point of land with a drop off that is a favorite bass habitat.