Barbels "breathing"??

[.Generaal.]

Hi Guys

I normally fish a local quarry for bass, but have witnessed (on many occasions) what looks like barbel breaking surface water as if to breathe. With my polaroid shades, I see them come up, break water, and go down again. Or I hear a dull splash and see them go down.  From what I can tell, there is no food on the surface or sub-surface (the water is very clear), unless it's microscopic (which I doubt). Was just wondering if it is something they do and why?

Thanks

 

[BigMatt]

its also known as "turning"

barbel come up to gulp air from what i understand!

 

[Ryan]

BArbel have two forms of brathing apparatus.
Gills and then a very prehistoric lung which allows them to breath air which they do regularliy especially during the summer months when the water warms up and the the o2 levels drop. Normally if barbel are surface feeding they spend extended time with whiskers protuding above the water.

 

[Marthin]

Generaal what quarry are you catching at?? There were MONSTER barbel at Hillcrest when i still went there. Not Mona Lisa size but definately a shock if you are looking at bass and then you see a tree trunk start moving.

If you can manage to stand at the ready, and cast right at the spot where the barble turned/breathed/gulped, with a bait/artificial lure that sinks quickly you are bound to get hooked up.

 

[deisel]

they are a semi developed pair of mamalia lungs,, basicaly what you have in your lungs are small round brocali shaped organs called alvioli, these are responible for gasius exchange in the blood,,, if you cut open the head of barbel they are clearly visible and like ryan says these are for absorbing oxygen from the a bubble whicj i s stored in the head when the barbel turn or gulps air,, the air is then stored in long thin veins along the white muscle which is used for short burst of enery,,these bursts of energy are used for feeding breeding or evading danger,, my 2c hope it helps

 

[Ryan]

Uhm what about daily living?

 

[deisel]

they smaak watching jeopardy and tv dinners, they love the out doors and spending time with the family, they eat anything so easy to take out on a date,,,

why ryan you getting lonly ,, need a special friend

 

[Ryan]

Deisel with Mates like you who needs "Special" Friends

 

[deisel]

oh hell now he thinks im his friend

 

momie says im special to,,, narf

 

[.Generaal.]

Thanks for the info guys. At least now when somebody asks me why they do that, I can say that some "special" people told me that.....  

 

[Ryan]

lol

 

[Marthin]

Generaal wich quarry u fishing?