Music to a Fishes Ear?

[eyepatrol]

In the past I've caught heck from friends that want to listen to music while fishing out of my previous boat. I've never wanted to turn any on because I've always thought it would spook the fish, plus I don't care to listen to music 'cause I like to get away from those things.

But, I thought I'd just ask what everyone's thoughts are in regards to playing music while fishing. Makes 'em dance, or makes 'em prance?

[Rost]

When I first bought my boat with a stereo, I thought awesome!! Well, I have not turned the darn thing on yet while out on the water.

[kais24]

I listen to music (not very loud) when I'm catfishing. I've caught some nice fish, so I don't think the catfish mind...

[eyepatrol]

Rost

I hear ya. The one in my old boat was pretty much useless as I really never turned it on, except if waiting in a long line to load the boat back up.

By the way...out of curiousity, I see you're from Madison, SD. Would you by chance happen to know a Shannon Kauffman? He manages the Target, or KMart or whatever shopping store it is in your town. Just thought I'd ask.

[Ufatz]

Personaly, I enjoy listening to the loons and songbirds on shore, the sounds of other boats running on the lake, the wind in the trees and sometimes, believe it or not, the silence of being outdoors.

I didn't realize my present boat had a radio and stereo system in it until midway through the first season I owned it.

And there is no question in my mind that fish are terrified by most music-especially rap. But then again, that ain't music is it!?

[porterhouse]

I don't have music playing in my boat while fishing. I do turn on to listen to the twins. I have caught fish with the twins on. If I would listen to music I would make sure that I'm fishing deeper water or trolling.

Brian

[Bobby Bass]

I use my boat stereo from time to time in the boat. It is always on if I am fishing and the Twins are playing. Many times we will be in the middle of a bite and turn it on or off and it has not made a difference. I sure this will stir debate. Of course there are some people out there who believe that you should not talk while fishing. of course we are not talking about playing loud enough that you can hear it 100yards away. It is low enough to hear but not to sending out booming viberations through the hull. Also an am radio makes a pretty good early warning systems for lightning as the radio will break up with static from lightning strikes not with in sight.

[riverrat56]

Ice fishing we always have a radio going, except when we forget it, but I haven't noticed that I catch less fish with it playing. Catfishing its always with, pumping out oldies, most of the time we have some type of music playing no matter what we are fishing for, usually keep the volume real real low, the trolling motor usually drowns it out. I don't know if they are attracted to music, but I don'tthink it spooks them as bad as banging around a boat.

[Quickstrike]

They don't post any facts to back up their claim, but the Lake Superior Trollers Association claims that music actually improves fishing success out on the big lake. I'm not buying it, but I think if you are fishing deeper water or listening at a marginal level it can't hurt anything.

[mplspug]

If I was right on top of fish, I might give it a second thought. I think if it isn't blaring you are ok. I am not a huge believer in spooking fish with noise otherwise. I think dropping smoething heavy in the boat or banging around would be more of a concern.

[Mr. Pike1]

I use the radio only to catch the Twins score...

[DTro]

This is funny, because there is a device you can buy now that specifically makes loud noises underwater.

If the fish are hungry.......they will eat.

Having said that, I usually prefer the sound of silence or good conversation with others in the boat.

[musky hunter]

As long as it isn't loud, it probably doesn't make much difference. Fish do not hear. But they have a great sense of vibration in water but let's not confuse that with hearing. Sound waves in air do not transfer well into water. Sound waves from dropping the oar, split shot, etc. on the floor of the boat transfer very well into water. If the speakers are built in to the boat, I'd be leery to turn the radio on. If it's a portable and not thumping, it's probably ok. But I'm with you, when I get out on the water, whether fish can hear it or not, I want to turn the rest of the world out. Just my $0.02.

[ironman]

I usually play Nirvana and other depressed rock or maybe really sad and depressing country songs in hopes this will have an effect on the fish and just give up and bite. Or maybe, "Shake, Rattle and Roll" to turn em on.