On Jan 2, 2011, my son and I had a career day on Houston County Reservoir. We boated 30+ fish over 4 pounds (with an 8 pound kicker). During our return trip home, we heard about the winning 45 pound sack that came out of Conroe that same day.

During a TX B.A.S.S. Nation tournament (March 1, 2014) on Conroe, the majority of the field struggled until around 1:00pm...at which time (like a light switch) fish catching exploded with 3 nine pounders, 2 eight pounders, and a seven being caught (all in the afternoon hours). That same day, Bass Champs (on Ray Roberts) saw their field bring in a 10.20, an 8.10, a 7.41, and a 6.45...with the average fish weighing in over 3 pounds.

January 29th of this year I had a good friend send me a pic of a 12.49 that he caught on T.Bend. That same day, Matt Reed posted a pic of a 10+ that he caught on Falcon, and Bill Dance posted a pic of a 12+ that he caught in Arkansas.

Are these three examples merely a coincidence, or is there something more to it? Ever since my first experience with this back in 2011, I have watched for repeating incidences. Although very infrequent, they have occurred. I have asked a biologist with the TPWD to help explain this phenomenon. Although he said that he was not familiar with any studies relating to this specific topic (not including Solunar, moon phase, tidal charts, etc), he was more than willing to help create a data base and then plug in as many variables that he could get his hands on to cross-reference and analyze the data (looking for factors that possibly influence the regional phenomenon in single-day bass catches).

The TPWD has a department of data analysts, who have working relationships with graduate programs at Texas A & M, and Oklahoma State University. All have agreed to help with the research associated with this study. The more data that they can obtain...the stronger the study will become.

So I would like to ask all TFF members to consider contributing to this study. It could be ground-breaking and highly beneficial. If you have experienced a banner day with lunkers-total numbers-or very respectable sacks, all you would need to offer is an "exact" date, the name of the lake (or city/state if you prefer), and please be as honest as you can so as to not "skew" the overall results. If you have experienced more than one of these days...include them all. Please also share if you have been witness to this phenomenon in your experiences as well.

So, if you have data to offer, you can either reply to this thread, or email me directly at regunter@consolidated.net. I will send all data info to Mark Webb (the biologist in Snook). Hopefully, by the end of this study, we can develop a list of contributing factors that relate to excellent days on the water...and learn how to increase our odds of repeating them. This study could be yet another "Texas Takes The Lead on Bass Fishing" experience to be proud of, with TFF members acting as tremendous contributing partners.

For verification...I am currently the President of the Seven Coves Bass Club (in Willis, TX), and also serve as the Assistant State Conservation Director for the Texas B.A.S.S. Nation.

Thanks in advance.


Ron G.

Would like to thank those who have emailed in their dates since I posted.

A banner day for me would be catching a single 4 lber. Catching 2 in one day would be awesome.

If you can remember the exact date that you have caught your personal best...that can be added to the data.

Can the program be viewed as a work in progress?

It would seem to me that professional guides would be some of the best contributors to this study since they spend almost every day fishing and usually document their great days with photos to display on their websites. You might get a list of Texas guides and research their websites for pictures and dates of especially spectacular fishing days.

This program will be a work in progress...at least a year (minimum) in data collection. Data will be analyzed as it comes in. I will try to periodically post preliminary results throughout the study. Will likely not have anything until (at least) the summer.

Good point on working with the guides. Thanks. The study does intend to tap into the professional side, along with the SAL program, social media, maybe the B.A.S.S. organization, and also by word of mouth. Being that this study is in its infancy, we will evolve as we move along.

Thanks again all.


Ron G.