Who amongst us hasn't been frustrated when bass "turn off" following the passage of a cold front? Why these fish become lethargic at such times is a mystery that both scientists and veteran anglers are unable to completely fathom.

About the only conclusion that can be drawn is that a sudden atmospheric change does put bass off their feed and into a "blue funk." Florida bass seem more affected by sudden pressure drops than do fish in other states, perhaps because its lakes and rivers are more shallow than elsewhere. Or, maybe, it's because of its tropical climate. Could Florida's fish, being acclimated to stable weather conditions, experience added difficulty in coping with or adapting to frontal activity?

Homer Circle of Ocala, one of the world's most knowledgeable on bass biology, can't supply an answer, even after years of study and observation. Back in the 1970s, Circle and Glen Lau, both members of the International Fishing Hall of Fame, spent every sunny day for 14 months underwater filming bass in its natural habitat for their classic film, Big Mouth.

"We knew that it wasn't a change in water temperature that caused bass to sulk after the passage of a cold front because where we worked--Silver Springs--remains a constant 72 degrees year around," said Circle. He pointed out that those bass under observation lost mobility after a frontal passage.

"They simply went to the bottom of the river and wouldn't...or couldn't...move."

Circle said the larger fish lost all equilibrium and "were obviously distressed." For some reason, he continued, bass three pounds and under do not appear affected or stressed with the passage of a cold front.

"The yearlings continue to fee and move about with, seemingly, no adversity."

Circle and Lau learned during their 14 months of filming that larger fish, which often lay on their sides, will take a lure providing you pass it in front of their mouths where it can be sucked in without effort.

"However," Circle emphasized, "the fish will make no effort or movement to pick up a lure."

Both Circle and Lau concluded that it takes about three days following the passage of a front for the fish to recover and begin acting normally. One notable exception to this cold front "rule" is in tidal or brackish waters where bass appear to be stimulated by frontal passages.

"No," said Circle, "I have no idea why unless the salinity in brackish water changes something in the bass' physical structure, allowing it to adapt readily to frontal action."

Anglers after bass, during periods of frequent frontal activity throughout Florida, may well be advised to fish in an area where a river discharges into the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean during the passage of a cold front, and for three days thereafter.

Then, when everything settles down again, they can switch back to inland lakes untouched by tidal influences.