Chilled-out fish key to a great day on water
FREAKED-OUT fish are less likely to take a bait, a new study has found.
With a high population of salties, Territorian fish have about 100,000 reasons to worry on a daily basis.
However, Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT president Warren de With said it was environmental conditions – not crocs – that freaked out fish the most.
“I think they have learnt to live with crocodiles,” he said.
Mr de With said hot temperatures, low oxygen levels in the water, a lack of food, and poor water quality stressed fish the most.
“Fish will not bite easily if they are under stress,” he said.
Researchers from the Illinois Natural History Survey tested how stress affected the likelihood of a fish ending up on the end of a line.
Study leader Michael Louison said the characteristic most strongly linked to a fish’s ability to avoid capture was its response to stress – those with higher levels of stress hormone cortisol were more likely to remain free.
He suspected fish more sensitive to stress may be more shy and less prepared to risk snapping at tasty morsels dangling before them.
Top End fishermen Russell Smith and Jarrod Cahir are hoping their relaxed attitude towards the sport will inspire fish and keep them biting.
“It’s important to maintain good fishing energies to maximise the catch,” Mr Cahir said.