REDUCTION OF SOUND IN BOATS

An often over looked part of fishing is the noise factor.  Whether on shore, in a boat or wading, sound plays an important part of fishing success.  Most of us have no realization of the amount of fish we scare off.

All fish respond to noise.  It travels five times faster underwater as above.  Fish received high frequency sounds up to 30 feet via their inner ear.  The low frequency sounds are processed by the lateral line and are most often heard in distances of five to 10 feet.

The average fish hears in the range of from 30 cycles per second (cps) up to 2,000 while the average person hears in a range of 20 to 20,000 cps.  The average AM radio station broadcast in 10,000 cps.

New motors have been developed that reduce engine noise, but sound is till a problem in spooking fish.  Fish are accustomed to the noise of their surroundings, such as waves lapping up on the shore.  But, alien sounds will cause them to scurry for other parts of the lake.

Even bluegill, catfish or deep feeding walleye move away from foreign sounds.

Pro angler Brent Chapman, a Yamaha pro angler, has several suggestions for sound reduction which apply to all species.  Chapman recommends and uses rubber-soled shoes when fishing.  He also fishes from a carpeted boat.

The layer of carpet on the floor of a boat helps a great deal.  But, Chapman is quick to point out that one with thin pile is best.  He does not like to spend a lot of time unhooking fouled hooks.  It is fishing down time, something a pro angler hates.

Loose items should be kept in a storage compartment or secured with elastic straps or Velcro.  A lure or sinker dropped on the bottom of the boat will send warning notice to any game fish lurking nearby with the result being that flee the area.

If you use oars, then plastic tubing around the oarlock pin will dampen sound.

What if one is renting a boat?  There are things you can do with rented boats to help deaden any sound.  Purchase a piece of carpet or two at a local carpet outlet.  It should not be expensive since all you need is a piece about two feet by three feet to spread on the bottom of the boat under your feet.  Then if you have to stand or move a little, the sound can be absorbed by the carpet.

If you arrive at you destination and have forgotten you carpet pieces, all is not lost.  Take the floor mats out of your vehicle and use them in the same manner.

The noisiest of boats is the aluminum hulled craft.  Sound travels much better through aluminum than through fiberglass.

Anglers entering a shallow cove on a calm morning need to cut the engine and let the boat glide into casting distance of the area one wants to fish.  Fish that are feeding are the most nervous in clear, shallow water.

Most anglers think that their trolling motor substitutes for the gliding in on fish.  Not so.  Electronic trolling motors can be heard too.  The electric trolling motor sets up a drone that can upset a nervous bass.

Remember when fishing, silence is golden.