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PODCAST

Science of the Strike

Science of the Strike, LLC

Science of the Strike is focused on taking an analytical, scientific approach to understanding the complex sport of largemouth bass fishing. Whether you"re just starting out or a tournament veteran, we"ll equip you with cutting-edge insights into bass behavior, feeding patterns, and the environmental factors that influence their every move. Join us as we decode the science behind every cast, unlocking the secrets to bigger and more consistent catches.

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All Episodes

01:11:58

Episode 28: Jordan Lee

Science of the Strike ·

2026/09/27

Episode 28 brings the Experience vs. Science miniseries back with a guest who needs no introduction: Jordan Lee. Two-time Bassmaster Classic champion, one of the most decorated young anglers of his generation, and a guy whose instincts have been battle-tested at the highest level of the sport. We put those instincts up against the literature. We get into grass fishing, how Jordan reads it, what he keys on, and where the research on vegetation-oriented bass either backs him up or complicates the

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01:11:25

Episode 27: Grass

Science of the Strike ·

2026/08/16

Episode 27 is a deep dive on aquatic vegetation — specifically, grass — and why it might be the single most underappreciated variable in a bass fishery. We walk through the main players anglers actually encounter: hydrilla, milfoil, coontail, eelgrass, pondweed, and the rest, what each one looks like, how it grows, and why bass relate to them differently. Then we get into the research on what grass actually does to a system. The studies are striking: fisheries with healthy submerged vegetation

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01:56:33

Episode 26: One Year Recap

Science of the Strike ·

2026/07/13

Episode 26 closes out year one. Twenty-five episodes in the books, and rather than let the milestone pass with a montage and a thank-you, we did what the show is supposed to do: we went back through every episode, pulled the highlights worth revisiting, and cited what we consider the primary article behind each one. Consider it a table of contents for the first year of Science of the Strike — a running record of what we learned, what surprised us, what held up, and where the literature pointed us

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01:13:47

Episode 25: Herring

Science of the Strike ·

2026/06/17

Episode 25 continues our Prey Mini-Series with a deep look at blueback herring, which are arguably the single most disruptive baitfish in modern American bass fishing. We get into what bluebacks actually are, how they ended up in lakes hundreds of miles from saltwater, and what they've done to every fishery that hosts them. We talk about the behavioral rewrite they cause: bass abandoning structure and becoming more pelagic. We cover the herring spawn, what triggers it, where it happens, and why

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01:36:43

Episode 24: Fish Care

Science of the Strike ·

2026/05/10

If you only listen to one episode of this show, we'd ask you to make it this one. Episode 24 is all about fish care when angling for largemouth bass. Fish care doesn't get the airtime that lure selection or pattern-of-the-week content does, but every fish you catch is a fish whose survival is at least partly in your hands, and most anglers, ourselves included, have been doing things wrong for years without realizing it. We get into largemouth handling from the ground up: where to grip, where

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01:03:34

Episode 23: Oliver Ngy

Science of the Strike ·

2026/04/27

Episode 23 keeps the Experience vs. Science miniseries rolling, this time with the founder of Big Bass Dreams and a guy who's spent more time analyzing largemouth bass than most people will spend during their whole lives, Oliver Ngy. We sat down to figure out where his decades on the water line up with the peer-reviewed literature, and where the two camps quietly disagree. We get into angler pressure and what it actually does to a fish day-to-day, the murky and surprisingly contested question of

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00:54:14

Episode 22: The Spawn - Part 2

Science of the Strike ·

2026/03/28

In the conclusion of our deep dive into the spawn, Episode 22 moves from the largemouth bass's internal biology to its external action. We explore the dramatic behavioral shift that occurs when a largemouth bass transitions from a nomadic hunter to a hyper-focused protector. Episode 22 breaks down the science of nesting behavior, explaining the specific environmental triggers that cause a bass to lock on to a piece of structure and the territorial psychology that makes them view anything

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01:05:04

Episode 21: The Spawn - Part 1

Science of the Strike ·

2026/03/08

In Episode 21, we kick off a two-part deep dive into the most critical period of a bass's life: The Spawn. While most anglers focus on finding beds, Episode 21 focuses on the incredible internal transformation that dictates every move a bass makes during the spring. We break down the anatomy and physiology that drive the reproductive cycle, from the microscopic level to the physical toll it takes on the fish. By understanding the biological "why" behind the spawn, you’ll gain a deeper

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01:10:15

Episode 20: Wind

Science of the Strike ·

2026/02/09

In Episode 20, we’re breaking down one of the most powerful and often frustrating variables in fishing: the wind. While most anglers see wind as a nuisance for boat control, the science reveals it is a massive biological trigger that completely reorganizes the food chain. We’ll explore the physics of how wind creates circular currents, pushing plankton and baitfish into concentrated zones and turning passive predators into aggressive hunters. We dive deep into the sensory advantages wind provides to

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01:02:41

Episode 19: Frogs

Science of the Strike ·

2026/01/27

Continuing our mini-series on prey, Episode 19 leaps into the high-protein world of the frog. While every angler loves a topwater explosion, there is a complex biological reason why a largemouth bass is willing to exert so much energy to track and ambush these amphibians. We’ll break down the specific nutritional profile that makes frogs a "premium" meal and explore the sensory triggers that provoke a bass into an instinctive, violent strike. We go beyond the basics by examining the

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01:03:54

Episode 18: Ott Defoe

Science of the Strike ·

2026/01/10

In Episode 18, we sit down with Bassmaster Classic Champion and Major League Fishing star Ott DeFoe to dissect how his world-class instincts align with the latest in bass biology. Known for his analytical approach, Ott provides a unique perspective on how real-world tournament pressure forces an angler to adapt alongside the fish.We explore how Ott’s legendary ability to read water and current intersects with the scientific principles of energy conservation and predator-prey positioning. Ott shares

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00:58:47

Episode 17: Largemouth Bass Metabolism

Science of the Strike ·

2025/12/31

In Episode 17, we explore the dynamic anatomy, physiology, and biology behind a largemouth bass's metabolism. It turns out that a significant number of misconceptions in the angling community stem from misunderstandings of how metabolism works in largemouth bass. Expanding on the findings discussed in Episode 16, recent scientific research reveals a direct link between high-pressure environments and a shift toward lower resting metabolic rates in the bass population. By consistently targeting

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01:01:35

Episode 16: Angler Pressure

Science of the Strike ·

2025/12/19

Are the bass getting smarter, or are we literally breeding them to be harder to catch? In Episode 16, we dive into a groundbreaking and controversial discovery: Fisheries-Induced Evolution.Science reveals that heavy angler pressure isn't just making bass "lure shy" for a day. Rather, it’s actually rewriting their genome. We break down the studies showing that the "catchability" of a bass is a heritable trait. When the most aggressive, easy-to-catch bass are removed from the

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00:56:48

EPISODE 15: Largemouth Bass Homing Mechanisms and...

Science of the Strike ·

2025/12/06

Have you ever wondered if largemouth bass have a "home" in a given lake? In Episode 15, we break down the science behind the hidden world of largemouth bass homing mechanisms and social communities. We reveal the research showing why bass have a strong, loyal "home range," using incredible sensory cues from subtle scent trails to the earth's magnetic fields to return to the same premium spots every season. But the science goes deeper. We explore how bass have distinct

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01:14:53

Episode 14: Brian Latimer

Science of the Strike ·

2025/11/21

It's time to connect our classroom-style lessons to real-world results. Joining us in Episode 14 is seasoned Major League Fishing pro, Brian Latimer, an angler known for his analytical approach and consistent performance. We'll be diving deep into how the core scientific theories we've explored throughout the series stack up against his years of professional experience.Brian has made a career out of dissecting fisheries and adapting swiftly to changing conditions. We plan to challenge

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00:54:36

Episode 13: Crappie

Science of the Strike ·

2025/11/05

Crappie are a primary target for many anglers, but for a trophy largemouth bass, they represent something entirely different: a high-calorie, high-value meal. In Episode 13, we dissect the hidden predator-prey relationship between largemouth bass and crappie to give you a scientific blueprint for targeting the biggest fish in the lake.Continuing on our prey series, we're going beyond the usual talk of brush piles and jigs. We’ll break down the scientific reasons why crappie are such a critical

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00:53:43

Episode 12: Bite Mechanics

Science of the Strike ·

2025/09/26

Have you ever felt a "tick" on your line and wondered what's happening on the other end? In Episode 12, we're pulling back the curtain on the most exciting part of bass fishing: the largemouth bass's strike. This isn't just about a fish biting a hook. Rather, it's a finely-tuned, high-speed biological event driven by a predator's powerful anatomy. By understanding the anatomy, biology, and physics of the largemouth's attack, you'll be able to interpret every

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00:54:58

Episode 11: Water Levels and Current

Science of the Strike ·

2025/09/12

When we discuss bass fishing, water is our universe, and understanding its fundamental forces is essential for success. In Episode 11, we're exploring the often-overlooked yet crucial roles of water levels and current. These aren't just environmental factors. Instead, they are the driving forces that influence largemouth bass behavior, from their feeding patterns to their locations. By understanding the "why" behind the water's movement, you can predict where bass will be and

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00:50:12

Episode 10: Drew Gill

Science of the Strike ·

2025/09/04

In Episode 10, we're bridging the gap between the lab and the lake. We’re joined by one of the hottest young pros on the Major League Fishing tournament trail, Drew Gill, to discuss how his on-the-water experience aligns with the scientific principles we’ve been exploring.Drew has built a reputation for his mastery of cutting-edge technology and his ability to quickly "read" a fishery. We'll put that real-world knowledge to the test, asking him how his observations of bass and

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00:55:57

Episode 9: Bluegill

Science of the Strike ·

2025/08/24

Continuing our mini-series on largemouth bass prey, Episode 9 spotlights the humble yet vital bluegill. More than just a panfish, these sunfish are a cornerstone of nearly every freshwater ecosystems and a primary food source for largemouth bass. We’ll break down the scientific reasons why bluegill are so vital, from their territorial spawning behavior to their seasonal movements, and reveal how understanding their lifecycle and feeding habits will dramatically improve your largemouth fishing

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