a floating thermometer like one would use in an aquarium!
I bought this exact model pictured above at WalMart for $1.62... yes, less than TWO DOLLARS.
Drop in the lake - or tie it to your line with a bobber(just in case) and toss it out for 5 minutes while you get your lure/bait set up, and you will have VITAL information on what the fish your after should be doing at the time you're fishing.
More than anything, water temperature will dictate what the cold-blooded fish are doing & where they're located in a body of water.
Here are some general spawning temps for local freshwater sportfish:
Largemouth Bass 68-72F
Smallmouth Bass 59-60
Striped Bass 59-65
Bluegill 70-75
Rainbow Trout 50-55
Walleye 45-50
Northern Pike 35-40
The more you learn, the more successful you will be.
*EDIT - these are also very safe - if it should break for some reason, there is NO mercury inside this thermometer.
Last edited by tony93 on Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:45 pm; edited 1 time in total
