Big Indiana Bass

Enter the Spawn

Depending on where you are located, the spawning season is either in progress or quickly approaching. As such, I spent some time browsing through the literature and thought I'd post some of the reports and what we currently know about largemouth bass spawning.

Nest Sites Used by Radio-Tagged Largemouth Bass in Orange Lake, Florida: The preferred nesting sites of Florida LMB in this study were areas of firm bottom. For nesting purposes, vegetation without firm bottom wasn't nearly as critical. In areas with heavily silted or organic bottoms, hard areas accessable to bass (in this study spatterdock rhizomes) serve as important nesting areas. In some parts of the country this would include spawning on stumps or in trees. Certain areas of a lake have preferential nesting conditions and bass will move good distances to return to these areas to nest. The timing of weed control treatments to not coincide with spawning should be considered by agencies even if the species being targeted is not directly related to the spawning activity.

Spawning Behavior of Florida Largemouth Bass in an Indoor Raceway: Most spawning occurred in the late afternoon or early evening. About 16% of the spawning took place at night, while none was observed during the morning. Researchers felt this might be related to their "immediately bright" photoperiod as opposed to a more natural sunrise. Most actual spawning activity (paired couples) took 2-3 hours to complete. Multiple spawning males always used the same nesting location, however multiple spawning females visited several nests. Females did not stick around the nest area after spawning.

Effects of Habitat Manipulation on Reproductive Success of Individual Largemouth Bass in an Ozark Reservoir: Bass prefer to nest adjacent to simple woody structure (SWS), in this case constructed supplemental logs. These structures may also increase normal nest density in a given area. Best use was accomplished when spacing of logs mimicked natural nesting distances, that distance being about 7 meters (23 feet). While artificial manipulation may increase number of nests, it will not necessarily increase year class strength.

Spawning Season and Nest Fidelity of Largemouth Bass in a Tropical Reservoir: Water level increases were the primary spawning trigger in this particular study. Distinct spawning grounds were clearly identified in this particular study, and site fidelity of individual fish returning to spawn was strong. The primary spawning areas were well protected from wave action, and located within vegetated but firm bottom areas. Multiple partial-spawns were documented. Fish tended to avoid areas with steep dropoffs and course rocky bottoms during the spawning period.

Spawning and Nursery Habitats of Largemouth Bass in the Tidal Hudson River: Bass left wintering areas when the water temperatures approached 50 degrees. Most fish travelled between 2 and 10 miles to reach spawning areas. Vegetation or protected structure in spawning areas was associated with 90% of the radio tracked bass. Again, firm bottoms and limited tidal effects were prevalent in nest areas. It appears that most newly hatched bass stay in the general nursery area of a lake foir their first year of life. 

Weekend Update

Trips: 18     Hours: 44.0     Bass: 235     No. > 5#:

Not much going on this weekend. Had a Saturday afternoon trip to a nearby reservoir where they had supposedly been catching some nice ones last weekend. Turned out to be a wasted trip as I was only able to hook 2 bass, both small. Sunday was a little better on a different reservoir, with 15 bass but again, very little size with the best fish around 16". The crappie are really close to spawning as the males have their really dark, mottled color to them. Water temps running 62-64. Talked to some guys who had fished a tourney earlier in the day and they said the bite was off, with big fish only going about 3 pounds this morning. I'm guessing the fish might be ready to settle down and start nesting this week with highs expected near 80 the next couple days and no rain for a few.

A Shocking Experience

There are lots of resources at ones disposal when it comes to getting information on various bass fishing (and bass fishery) topics. Books, magazines, videos and the Internet all usually come to mind pretty quick. One that frequently gets overlooked though is local pond and fish management seminars and demonstrations. These are usually put on by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts or similar Extension Agencies. Cost is usually nominal, if not free and chances are there will be one or two held in your county of residence sometime this year. I attended just such an event this morning put on by Sycamore Trails RC&D. It literally turned out to be a shocking experience!

If you'll browse at the flyer link just posted, you'll see topics covered at this particular event were information resources, weed ID and management and fish stocking and management. A great chance to listen to and ask questions from some of the local experts in these fields, and I walked away with a folder full of literature and information. All this for just $10 and a 20 minute drive from home. Included in this seminar was an electro-fishing demonstration (see related picture). Electro-fishing is one of the most common tools used by your state DNR personnel to assess the fish population in your local waters, and something (their reports) you should be paying attention to. The example in the link given shows a typical summary that lists lakes, rate of bass catches, keeper sized fish and big fish captured. These are all important factors to consider when hunting for big bass waters, especially anything related to either the largest bass captured or the number over a quality size, 5 pound bass being the most commonly reported threshold. As they say, you can't catch big bass if your water doesn't have big bass.

And the most shocking part of all today...I got to run the electrodes and net the fish shocked up in the demonstration!   

Of Fishing and Computers

Do you ever have one of those moments when you read or hear something and it immediately triggers a reaction in you? I just read a post over on the BFHP that did this to me concerning a website that offers for sale a "program" of some sorts that using input from the user will predict location and baits for bass fishing. There are numerous iterations of databases, programs, logs and such available on the Net for those looking for them. In this case though I want to talk about just the topic of computer programs and bass fishing.

OK, personal boring flashback to where my love of science and understanding takes root. I'm an 'Old Skool' Star Trek fan going way back to when I was a kid. And of all the characters in the series I could most relate to, First Officer and Science Officer Spock was the one who fascinated me the most. The thought of every situation encountered or decision made being able to be answered 'logically', devoid of emotional constraints was incredibly compelling.

So it probably predictably came to follow that when I got hooked on bass fishing at an early age while in High School, I would also gravitate toward an angler that represented a very similar 'role model' when viewed in terms of approach and reason. That person, for me, turned out to be Rick Clunn.

Rick, before he turned professional bass fisherman, was a computer programmer inTexas for Exxon. Not surprisingly, he developed a system for locating and catching bass that came to be known as Seasonal Patterns. It might be the single most important 'concept' to ever be espoused in bass fishing, at least in terms of influence. Though not exactly a computer program per se, it was a very defined approach to bass fishing success, a road map that could easily be followed once understood. In terms of computer modeling it actually transcended the boundaries of a keyboard by having the right balance between defined and undefined parameters (IMO).

And computer programs for locating and catching bass aren't new. In fact, I still have BASSMaster magazines sititng at home from the 80's that had one Bill Dance and Roland Martin promoting the greatest thing since sliced bread in bass fishing success. It was called 'Basstronics' and was a simple input database about the size of a paper graph that mounted in your boat and with some simple 'conditional' inputs on your part would spit out the color, type, size and retrieve of lure Bill and Roland would use in various fishing situations. Like all the knowledge of two of bass fishings greatest minds in a box at your disposal. And of course it didn't catch on. And that's because you can't cram fishing variables into a cut and dried computer program and get catch results above anything that you couldn't get with some reading and study or record keeping on your own.

It comes down to a nearly unlimited number of variables and a subsequent nearly unlimited number of resulting outcomes. In the engineering and modeling world it is known as 'degrees of freedom'. Basically put, the more degrees of freedom your system has and the better it can explain the past, the worse it will be for predicting the future, and the future is what we are always striving for in bass fishing. The fish you have yet to catch is always in the future. For a simple read and explanation about this concept see the following links:

BUILDING PREDICTIVE MODELS: PART I

PREDICTIVE MODELS PART II: EVALUATING GOODNESS-OF-FIT

There is a huge volume of work in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) field that can similarly be researched and cross-applied to the bass fishing puzzle. I've read a lot on the subject in my quest for fishing success. The one thing that the computer can never do, at least not yet, is to think and feel about a certain scenario. It can't capture every single variable that one is to encounter or know every single past outcome that has resulted. It can never replace experience and the power of the human mind. The bass fishing world is too large, too dynamic. It can't be categorized. The single greatest book on the subject I have come across is Mind Over Machine by Dreyfus and Dreyfus. A particular chapter in the book entitled '5 Steps from Novice to Expert' might be the best piece of cross-applied writing in print. I know, heady stuff, but I've had that chapter copied and studied in my library archives for 2 decades now and I still go back and re-read frequently.

And this was the beauty with Rick Clunn's 'Seasonal Patterns' approach, or In-Fisherman's 'F+L+P=S' formula. They defined a simple yet critical few parameters to be followed with plenty of room for experience and intuition to be applied, stuff that no computer program could ever duplicate.   

 

Knowing "More" Bass

Back in February I made a post entitled Book Review: Knowing Bass. It was a description of one of the better books (in my opinion) out there when it comes to fish science, in a semi-non-scientific way. By that I mean it doesn't read near as harsh as your typical peer reviewed journal article, but is certainly more science laced than most average bass fishing books. Dr. Keith Jones is the author of the book and director of research at Berkley/Pure Fishing.

While strolling around the BassFan Website today I noticed that they had started a science section in their "Bass Buzz" area, and the first two articles are smaller condensed bits from the book by Dr. Jones that read more typical of a bass fishing article. This site subsection is sponsored by Berkley, so there is a heavy advertising slant to the overall page, but the information is good for those who may not have the book and want to read a bit more before deciding whether to purchase.

Part 1 entitled "Designed to Look Good: Visual Lure Factors that Attract Bass" is linked here.

Part 2 entitled "Fish-Eye Lens: How Much Does a Bass See?" is linked here.

It looks like this might become a regular series, so keep dropping back into the BassFan website occassionally to see if there are more articles in the works.

Weekend Update

Trips: 16     Hours: 37.5     Bass: 218     No. > 5#: 0

Off to a new lake on Saturday, one traditionally considered a tough bite due to lots of clay and rock bank with very little traditional cover and holding areas for bass. Originally went for crappie as there was a bass tourney in progress when I arrived (12:30) and the lot was pretty full. Fished and graphed a few areas before running into some friends on the water who had also come for the crappie. They had been there since 9:30 with only 3 crappie to show for their efforts, and had gotten similar reports from others. Their report combined with my lack of success was all I needed to hear to decide to pull out the bass sticks instead. And good thing I did. Spent the next 4.5 hours playing around with the green ones and catching 19. Had a few over the increased size limit on this lake (16"). Not sure what it took to win the tourney but am curious. Lots of fish moving in around the rock banks in and adjacent to coves and pockets with better fish hanging a little deeper and off the bank in what scattered timber I could find. Needless to say I left the lake pleasantly surprised and feeling like I had figured something out that day.

Next day was just a close trip for a couple hours due to the 20-30 mph winds and white-capping. Picked up a dozen bass, all on jerkbaits, fished inside coves around docks and shaded steeper banks. Would have liked to have gotten out longer and tried a couple other things but that's the way it goes.

Weatherwise, the return of blue skies, sunshine and 80 degree days was a welcome sight. It was also a reminder about the need for sun screen. As anglers, we get lots of sun exposure and inevitably a few sunburns in the process. Most of you have probably either heard of or know of someone who has had some form of skin cancer. It's one of those things that you don't necessarily think about, or can do much about prevention-wise until it's too late, kind of like lung cancer. They say we get 80% of all our sun exposure by the age of 18, and genetics/chance plays a role like most everything else, so I won't lecture anybody. However, I have had 4 suspicious moles biopsied (2 were 'atypical' or pre-cancerous, 2 benign) and regularly see a dermatologist, so I feel a little information on the subject is worthwhile.

Skin Cancer.Org is a good site for general information about the subject.

The Catch Cancer Angler Program website, a very cool idea being carried out on some of the coastal waters with the specific intent of targeting anglers, tourney professionals, guides and other fishermen with possible above average exposure rates.

As they're finding out, sun exposure is like most things in life where the negatives are usually brought into play based around the extremes. Here is a recent finding that concludes moderate sun exposure is good thing. Similarly, the newest reported study on the effects of sun exposure and links to vitamin D where they determined that 30-60 minutes of full exposure can also be a benefit.

So try and remember to use your sun screen, and if you forget, at least try and minimize excessive exposure to the point where you don't blister or get a severe burn. Professional bass angler Mark Menendez was diagnosed and treated for skin cancer several years ago, and big bass guru Bill Murphy more recently died from melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer.   

Trip Updates

Trips: 14     Hours: 30.5     Bass: 187     No. > 5#: 0

Have added 4 trips over the past 10 days. Two were short 1 hour excursions and another trip of 4 hours today. Bite has been almost non-existant for me. Two of the trips were during the really bad cold weather we had. Two fish one trip and 3 the other, nothing over 17". Also spent 45 minutes one evening around 1 main lake point chunking a giant swimbait, just because. It actually surprised me, for such a huge and heavy bait that hits the surface like a brick, the bait actually is easy to keep up in the water column and looks great in the water. Gave me hope that I might actually catch something on it sometime this year.

Other trip of 4 hours today was the first good, warm weather we've had in a while. Broke 70 degrees for the high, but the tiny breeze we had was out of the north and clear blue skies. Water temps have dropped all the way back down to the 50-53 degree range and water has cleared up well. Made for a tough combination of factors. Had a couple larger fish chase down a jerk and a crank on main lake structure but neither would commit. Smaller fish are just starting to move back into the creeks again and were tucked well up under the docks and tight to shore.

Hopefully things will start opening up a little now as we regain a more normal spring weather pattern. As a side note, we have also had recently added comments to the archived posts "Barometer Basics" and "Patoka & Monroe, Here We Come". I particularly thought the latter posts comments were pretty insightful and intriguing, once again displaying that while a bass is a bass, local or regional differences, as well as genetic make-up (Northern vs. Florida Strain) can make for very different outcomes.

Moon Phases Revisited

As more Internet users come across the site, we occassionally get comments added to posts that are part of the historical archive. Unfortunately, these updated or more recent comments aren't noted anywhere on the current pages of the site. So if you don't go back through the old posts, you'd never know they occurred. As a refresher, you can use the monthly archive lists in the top left sidebar of the site to review all posts and comments for any given month since this sites inception.

Anyway, we've had a recent comment to the moon phase issue that I thought deserved everyones attention. The original post and all added comments can be found at the post entitled Moon Phase Mumbo Jumbo going back to December of 2006. There was also a follow-up post entitled Additional Reading Material (Moon Phase) posted in January of this year. In that particular post I clarified my position a little better from my original post and then added a few more interesting links on research or theory I had come across.

The newest comment makes a lot of sense and I am largely in agreement. I think there are several factors which all come into play, and the more those factors "align" along the proper time frames the greater the likelihood and the larger the "wave" of spawners/spawning. As an example, normal largemouth bass spawning time in Central Indiana on most of the waters I fish is typically either the last week of April or the first week of May. This year, we came straight out of a 7 week subfreezing period into a 14 day period (3/20-4/03) of consistent 60-80 degree highs without any cold weather interuptions. On many small bodies of water, the entire ice-out to 70 degree surface temp cycle was encapsulated into those 2 weeks. Interestingly enough, on several of these small ponds the male bass made and locked onto beds those first few days in April. This also coincided with the full moon phase which hit April 2. So you have increasing photoperiod, warming and stable water temps into a preferred spawning range, and moon phase all coming together and a subsequent wave of attempted spawners.

The question then becomes which of these factors was the biggest trigger? If the first few days in April had fallen on a quarter moon, would you have still seen the attempted wave of spawning given the other optimal conditions? How critical is photoperiod or water temp though? If photoperiod was a very specific criteria, you arguably wouldn't get these premature (3-4 weeks before normal) attempts. And we're all familar with the observations of some bass trying to spawn in high 50's to low 60 degree water temps, again earlier than the generally assumed "preferred" range. Additionally, the particular lake I fish most now has 500 lakeside homes, most with docks and lights. What is the illumination given off by a set of dock lights that are run every night, and is that illumination enough to offset or mimic any moon illumination, or even replace its effect if you have a period of cloudy weather at night during the few days around the full moon? And do either of those hypothesis get thrown out the window when you consider a similar observable effect on spawning behavior during the new moon phase? All very interesting scenarios and questions which may not be able to be resolved.

In the end I think that life (as a central IN spawning bass knows it) is a bell curve with its center covering the 2 week period from April 24-May 8. Some (though fewer) will go earlier, some (though fewer) will go later. The more things that we view as acceptable or good for enhanced spawning that come together at any point along that bell curve will only accentuate the effort at a given point in time. Understanding this cycle can help lead to location and patterning, just as understanding of the "staging" phenomenon can help also. It all puts us in the right areas at hopefully the right time, which is what successful fishing is all about. But it doesn't guarantee success; It doesn't mean you'll catch more because of it, and it doesn't mean you should only go out at certain "predicted" times or on certain "better" lunar days. Lunar calendars and solunar tables are predicated out for the entire year, not just the spawn cycle. So when evaluating their effectiveness or accuracy, they need to be reviewed and critiqued as such.

Feel free to add your comments or opinions concerning any topics covered in this blog, as one function of the website is to stimulate discussion and subsequently better understanding of these topics for all involved, myself included.            

All Anglers are Liars (II)

I've touched on this topic once before in a post referencing the number of 5 pounders that anglers always seem to be catching versus compiled catch data from various fishery departments (see All Fishermen Are Liars). I was again reminded of this topic when I was sitting on the couch reading an article in the newest issue of Fisheries magazine (see Proportional Angling Success article - large download).

The literature has numerous articles referencing or mentioning this behavior trait. Here are a few examples:

Exaggeration of Walleye Catches by Alberta Anglers

Properties of Catch Rates Used in Analysis of Angler Surveys

Effects of Recall Bias and Nonresponse Bias on Self-Report Estimates of Angling Participation

Biased Harvest Estimates from a Postal Survey of a Sport Fishery

Of course, you've figured out that they don't come out and use the term "liar" when referencing this trait. Instead, you will see the term "bias" used repeatedly in most instances. There are numerous types of documented bias' in fishery literature. Here are a couple of the more common ones:

• Recall Bias - When you're asked about a catch several days or months after the actual event and your subsequent inability to accurately recall all specific catch data.
• Measurement Bias - When you fudge the reported measurement of your fish. This is most common when dealing with size limit or slot limit restrictions. This is also common when you're caught short at the weigh-in and acting dumbfounded, you swear that fish made it easily just hours ago when you measured it on your board.
• Prestige Bias - Exaggerating positive events or underreporting negative events to boost self-esteem. Typically occurs when you run into another angler on the water and he reports that he is just killing them today. Then he asks you how you're doing...of course, you're doing just fine yourself today.
• Inflation Bias - The unintentional over reporting of pleasureable events. Examples would include when the 3 fish you caught in practice suddenly became much more as you tell your buddies how you're on them while standing around at registration the day before the tourney.
• Digit Bias - Rounding quantitative responses to the nearest 5 or 10. No one ever catches 3 or 7 or 11 bass; Instead, they catch 5, 10 or 15 bass. It's easy to lose track over the course of a day, too. This is why I use the counter mentioned just a couple posts ago under 'Counting Fish'.
• Erroneous Data - The term used when you're just flat out lying about your catch

I hope you've enjoyed this little 'tongue-in-cheek' look at fishery terminology. And don't take it personally, we've all been guilty of an infraction or two over the years :)   

Eye to the Sky

With the recent severe storms that just rolled through yesterday, and the confirmed tornado minutes from my house that touched down exactly where I had just driven past not 30 minutes earlier on my way home from work, I thought I would add some weather links to the site. My main reason, of course, is the link between weather and fishing. I already have one post about the study linking El Nino weather patterns to big bass production in Texas. But as anglers, next to some outdoor/sports channels there is probably nothing we watch more closely than the Weather Channel. Anglers are fascinated with weather and rightfully so. Everything from fronts to wind direction and speed, how much rainfall did your lake get, the relationships are numerous. So below is a list of the links I've added and a few comments about each from me. To access them individually just scroll down the far right side pane and you'll see them. 

USACE Lake Reports - The Louisville District Army Corp of Engineers Site for state reservoirs. Is your lake rising, falling, flooded, being drawn down? Here is where you need to look. Updated daily.

Real-time Streamflow Data (IN) - What is the status of local rivers throughout the state. Nearly 200 sites that monitor flow and height, many updated every 15 minutes.

UM Weather - University of Michigan site that is just a good all around site for anywhere in the country.

NOAA National Weather Service - A good link that lets you select your area and then scroll through modeled simulations for expected rain, wind and temperatures.

National Climatic Data Center - The site you need for any historical research on your local weather.

Morse Lake Weather - There are some pretty serious "amateur" weather watchers that have created their own local weather sites. This particular one happens to be located adjacent to Morse Lake. Some great daily and monthly graphs, updated lake conditions and great weather radars. A must see if you're headed to this particular lake.

Intellicast U.S. Radar - A good quick link to zoom out to a national level scale to see approaching or developing storms in your area.

IN Trueview Radar - My favorite local radar site from Channel 6. Trueview radar throws out the weak signal returns resulting in a more actual radar of what is occurring on the ground. My favorite part is the drop down box in the upper right corner of the screen which lets you scroll through a list of cool graphs, radars and satellite views, all from the same page site!

Cool Weather (Hourly) - Still my all time favorite. Simple yet definitive. Updated hourly from sites throughout the country giving you quick graphs of temperature, pressure (2 millibar delineations) and cloud cover.

Geist Weather - Another "amateur" site out of McCordsville located very near Geist Res. Nice 1 and 2-day graphs. It's very interesting after storm events to compare differences between lakes in rainfall amounts and such. Even though Geist and Morse are only 30 minutes apart, the weather differences can be surprising. Be sure and search out more of these local weather sites for a lake near you.

Rollin' Mud Blues

Seems like we've had more than our share of rain here in Indiana this spring. Every time water levels get near normal for a couple days, along comes another storm and in comes the water. More times than not that water is rolling in mud, especially in our river systems, which many eventually end up feeding into our reservoirs and making them murky, too. Lots of people end up throwing in the towel and waiting for things to settle out, but that's not necessary. I've mentioned previously about how silt settles out of suspension in reservoir type situations, and some of the baits and approaches I make because of it. But I thought I'd take a moment to post some of the research that has occurred concerning feeding in both largemouth and smallmouth bass in turbid environments. So, if your water looks like this:

Then this post is for you.

Abstract #1 from Todd A. Crowl entitled, "Effects of crayfish size, orientation, and movement on the reactive distance of largemouth bass foraging in clear and turbid water", came to the conclusion that in clear water, visual recognition is an important factor, and the larger the prey item or the more movement from the item, the farther away a bass would rspond to that item. In turbid water, size and movement made no difference. However, fish would still likely react upon visual recognition, usually immediately.

Abstract #2 from Reid, Fox and Whillans entitled, "Influence of turbidity on piscivory in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)", came to the conclusion that "piscivory is primarily regulated by the availability of vulnerable size-classes of prey fish, as opposed to water clarity." In other words, bass won't stop eating in the murky water, but they might be more selective concerning the size of prey they consume.

And finally, Abstract #3 from Sweka and Hartman entitled, "Reduction of Reactive Distance and Foraging Success in Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus dolomieu, Exposed to Elevated Turbidity Levels", found that turbidity did reduce the likelihood that a bass would react to a particular prey item, but did not influence foraging success once the bass did choose to react to the prey.

So the science "take home message" today is to not stay home and sulk when your waters are rolling in mud. Fish still have to eat, though they may not be quite as aggressive or even a little selective when it comes to things they'll bite. So your presentation has to change a little, and the real trick becomes how to literally put a bait right in front of a bass' face. But if you can successfully do that, odds are good you'll still get bit!

Counting Fish

You want to know why anything branded and discovered via R&D is so expensive when first put out on the market compared to generics and such? It all has to do with the cost of discovery. And what does this have to do with fishing?

You've seen the certified scale I'm using for weighing anything of size that I catch. But accuracy of counting the total catch is something I like to do also. You start getting into one of those 30 or 40 or even 50 bass days, it's very easy to lose count of just how many fish you really are catching. Not that it really matters that much, but it's just another one of those things record keeping-wise that I like to have documented accurately. This is especially the case when it comes to fish in numbers, like schools of crapppie, white bass or bluegill.

Anyway, I use a simple field counter that can be purchased from several places. You'll see it hanging from my neck in many of the fish pics posted, or at least the lanyard that it is attached to. What prompted this post is my finding this particular counter just this week in my new Bass Pro 2007 Fishing Master catalog. It is a new item they just started carrying called the Mr. Crappie Fish Counter. It can be yours for the incredibly low price of just $3.99, and I strongly recommend one if you like keeping track of this type of thing.

Back to the quick reference I mentioned about the cost of R&D. You can also purchase a counter referred to as a Tally Meter from Ben Meadows, an outdoor/environmental supply house where I also purchased my scale from for $11.40 for 1-4 of these. Or if you really want to, you could go to Fisher Scientific and purchase their brand name counter for $32.84 each. So with just a brief look around the Internet at 3 different shops you see why the cost of R&D is so expensive. We're talking a 723% mark-up, and this is just a single little counter that we have half a dozen of in use just in my department alone. Now multiply this out to include everything from trash bags to lab ware, plus the cost of employing all the people actually doing the work, and you'll have a good idea of why the price to recoup your investment and make a little profit on the side is so steep on these "branded" biological products.