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Everything you
read about how weather effects fishing seems to say something
different. The one thing everyone seems to say in common is
that fishing slows down after a cold front passes. While this
may be true in some cases, it's still no reason to not head
for the water. All you need are a few tricks and you can catch
fish in any type of weather.
Let's start by
talking about what weather really is. In simple terms it's the
constant changes we see in temperature, humidity, barometric
pressure, precipitation, and so on. All the experts say these
things effect how fish behave. While they do have their effects,
it's foolish to plan your fishing trips by them. Sure, some
conditions may be more ideal than others, but if we never tried
to catch fish in adverse conditions, how could we improve our
skills? Obviously if the weather creates an unsafe situation,
it would be better to wait for more favorable conditions. But
remember, the conditions you experience above water are far
different than what the fish experience below the surface.
Weather can alter
a fish's environment in several ways. Wind can stir up water
and add oxygen. Precipitation can wash food into the water,
or cloud the water with silt or other run off materials. Clouds
can make it darker so the fish will move shallower. And those
are just a few of many examples. If weather effects fish and
their environment, then why do I say ignore it? I say ignore
it because you still need to consider many of the same things
no matter what the conditions or time of year. More on this
later. .
There are two
types of weather that you should not ignore - strong wind and
lightning. Strong wind can create an unsafe situation if you're
in a boat, and we know how lightning can ruin your day. I have
seen fish spooked by lightning and thunder. Several years ago
I lived next to a pond that was full of bass. All day long I
could see them cruising the shoreline and sitting in the weed
pockets. At that first crack of lightning and thunder, they'd
all head for deep water at once. Sometimes they'd return within
a half-hour of the storm passing. Other times it would take
hours.
The lesson here
is that besides the increased possibility of being struck by
lightning because you're holding a 7-foot graphite lightning
rod in your hands, the fish aren't going to be hitting. I've
caught plenty of fish during downpours, before thunderstorms,
and after thunderstorms, but never during a thunderstorm.
It's not worth the risk.
Wind is a different
thing. Most people will hit the shore where the wind is blowing
in from, but I prefer the other side. The windblown shorelines
have a few things going for them. First, warmer water is blown
to that side. Second, waves stir up the bottom and cause the
bait-fish to feed. Waves also add oxygen and cut the amount
of light that can penetrate the surface. Besides that, any noise
from the waves hitting the shore can help cover any noise you
may make.
So what about
cold fronts, east winds, north winds, and so on. Forget about
them. Think about what's going on below the surface and not
what's going on where you are. Fish experience weather in the
form of temperature change, pressure change, oxygen change,
current, and light change, but they perceive it differently
than we do. Fish are cold blooded and they'll react to temperature
more than any other weather factors.
Keep in mind
that if the water is too hot, the fish can experience stress
and die from it. Over the past summer I had the opportunity
to fish a power plant cooling lake that had surface temperatures
exceeding 100 degrees. There were plenty of dead fish, but we
caught plenty of live healthy ones.
If the surface
weather diminishes the activity level below the water, there
are a few things you can do to adjust. First, figure out where
the fish are going to be. To do this, consider where the fish
might find comfort, food, and safe surroundings. Second, present
them with a potential meal that they are used to eating, and
make sure they don't have to work very hard for it. Usually
this means mimicking the natural food supply in the lake, and
presenting it in a natural manner.
No matter what
the conditions, time of year, etc., you still have to consider
the same things when searching for fish. Find the water where
the fish have cover. Decide if it can provide them comfort.
And then think about the food supply that might be in the area.
Sometimes there are obvious signs to guide you. Other times
it's guesswork. But if you can get good at it, you'll catch
more fish. Just remember to be aware of the forecast so you
can leave yourself plenty of time to seek safe shelter in case
bad weather approaches.
Each piece of
the weather puzzle has an effect under the surface and knowing
how each piece effects the fish can make you a better fisherman.
This knowledge comes with experience. Weather effects fish differently
in different bodies of water so it's impossible to apply one
set of weather rules to all of them. If you forget about the
weather and just go fishing, you'll gain this knowledge much
faster than if you stay home every time the weather isn't quite
right.
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