Can fish hear?
September 25th 2008 00:09
Remember when you were a little kid, jabbering away as Grandpa was trying to wet a line?
"Shhhh. You'll scare the fish," he finally said in an exasperated tone.
Maybe he wasn't just trying to stop your questions.
It turns out that most freshwater fish the average guy goes after can hear to some degree!
Admittedly, some fish are going to hear better than others. None the less, as a group, fish hear about the same range as man. What sets various species apart is that fact that different fish may hear only part of that range!
The big question everyone has is, "Am I gonna scare the fish by talking to my fishing mate?"
Most of the time, it's not something you have to worry about.
"Can bass hear?" is another question often asked. I'd almost rather avoid that question but since we're on the topic of fish hearing, I would have to say that it depends on what you read and who answers the question. (Personally, I subscribe to the theory that they don't.)
The vibration produced by a lure is often more important than the sound because even minute vibrations can be detected by a fish's lateral line.
Although it may seem as if this post is a continuation of the topic, it is hard, if not impossible to discuss the senses of fish without mentioning the lateral line. This row of sensors which runs along both sides of a fish is often more important to the fish than hearing and looked upon as a "sixth sense."
Despite what I just said, I don't advocate throwing away all those noise producing lures you bought. When you're fishing, there is a constant vibration produced by spinners and the like. The sporadic vibrations produced by topwaters such as chuggers and poppers are time tested and their effectiveness cannot be discounted! All things being equal, the action of a lure is going to be the Number One attractant to a fish before both sound or scent!
Fish that DO hear are usually not going to be bothered by casual conversation. What you do have to watch is dropping lures or sinkers onto the floor of your boat, banging oars and rocks or slogging through the water after that big trout you just saw!
So, you can talk to your friend but, don't get excited and start running along the edge of the fishing hole. The fish may not hear the clomping thud of every stride you take but he can definitely feel it!
"Shhhh. You'll scare the fish," he finally said in an exasperated tone.
Maybe he wasn't just trying to stop your questions.
It turns out that most freshwater fish the average guy goes after can hear to some degree!
Admittedly, some fish are going to hear better than others. None the less, as a group, fish hear about the same range as man. What sets various species apart is that fact that different fish may hear only part of that range!
The big question everyone has is, "Am I gonna scare the fish by talking to my fishing mate?"
Most of the time, it's not something you have to worry about.
"Can bass hear?" is another question often asked. I'd almost rather avoid that question but since we're on the topic of fish hearing, I would have to say that it depends on what you read and who answers the question. (Personally, I subscribe to the theory that they don't.)
The vibration produced by a lure is often more important than the sound because even minute vibrations can be detected by a fish's lateral line.
Although it may seem as if this post is a continuation of the topic, it is hard, if not impossible to discuss the senses of fish without mentioning the lateral line. This row of sensors which runs along both sides of a fish is often more important to the fish than hearing and looked upon as a "sixth sense."
Despite what I just said, I don't advocate throwing away all those noise producing lures you bought. When you're fishing, there is a constant vibration produced by spinners and the like. The sporadic vibrations produced by topwaters such as chuggers and poppers are time tested and their effectiveness cannot be discounted! All things being equal, the action of a lure is going to be the Number One attractant to a fish before both sound or scent!
Fish that DO hear are usually not going to be bothered by casual conversation. What you do have to watch is dropping lures or sinkers onto the floor of your boat, banging oars and rocks or slogging through the water after that big trout you just saw!
So, you can talk to your friend but, don't get excited and start running along the edge of the fishing hole. The fish may not hear the clomping thud of every stride you take but he can definitely feel it!
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
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Comment by Two Guys Sports
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I am certain they cannot hear. Have you ever heard that Billy Bass mounted on a board sing? I rest my case.
Gene
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish