Bass Cast Radio

A simple observation about the surge of summer night tournaments on social media sparked a deeper research dive into a critical question facing tournament anglers: when does water temperature cross the line from challenging to dangerous for bass? In this informative episode of The Bass Vault, we explore the science behind bass temperature tolerance - they prefer 65-75 degrees for optimal activity and can handle up to 86 degrees before becoming sluggish and stressed. Learn about the environmental factors that create deadly conditions for bass in hot weather, including oxygen depletion in deeper water layers and thermal stratification that traps bass between scorching surface temperatures and oxygen-poor depths. The episode examines why summer tournaments see increased fish mortality and offers practical solutions every tournament angler should know: proper livewell aeration systems, using ice and stress-reducing additives, and advocating for shorter tournament hours during cooler parts of the day (6 AM to 12 P