Filter-Feeding Menhaden | Caught On Camera

In this new video, you'll go underwater to watch as a massive school of menhaden (pogies) actively filter-feeds along the ocean bottom. After watching, I feel you will have a better understanding why menhaden are often referred to as the "vacuum cleaners" of the ocean! I used underwater cameras to film this school of menhaden last week on August 13th in Cape Cod Bay. In total, I estimate there were probably tens of thousands of menhaden filter-feeding in the area. When I originally spotted this school of menhaden, I got very excited, because oftentimes striped bass, bluefish, tuna and even whales can be found feeding on the menhaden. Unfortunately, it did not appear that there were any predators in the area. However, when I got home and reviewed the footage, I did spot one big solitary striper, which showed a slight interest in my live-lined pogie. This makes sense because I would imagine the menhaden only feel safe enough to filter-feed when there is a small likelihood of being attacked and eaten by a predator. For example, if there were a lot of stripers in the area, then I'd imagine the menhaden would be too nervous to filter-feed. Instead of feeding, the pogies would probably be huddled tightly together, in a defensive mode. I think the moral of the story is that we as anglers can get an idea of whether stripers, bluefish or tuna are in the area, by observing the behavior of the menhaden. If the pogies are tightly packed together and acting nervous, then there are probably stripers, bluefish, tuna, whales or seals nearby. If the pogies are filter-feeding, then they are probably not about to be attacked. Of course this is all just my personal speculation. What do you think? Please let me know by commenting below. Tight lines! 🎣 Ryan myfishingcapecod.com/ For our latest most up-to-date podcasts, please visit myfishingcapecod.com/podcasts and join as a member. 🎣 SUBSCRIBE to My Fishing Cape Cod on YouTube: bit.ly/2Tj6OsF Please support My Fishing Cape Cod! Check out our online membership community myfishingcapecod.com which is full of helpful resources about fishing on Cape Cod. You can get access to bonus videos, special content, live forums, group fishing trips, meetups and much more. I upload MUCH more content on my website than I do here on YouTube. All for just $1.00 for your first 30 days. Ongoing membership is $9.99/month and you can cancel at anytime with just a click. myfishingcapecod.com/

• #sports
• #national_geographic
• #animal_behavior
• #filter_feeding
• #nat_geo
• #animal_behavior_documentary
• #pogies
• #menhaden
• #bunker
• #cape_cod