Most Ideal Weather Conditions for Fishing

March 13, 2019

If you go fishing, and you talk to others who go fishing, you will end up getting quite a bit of advice on a wide range of topics. They will tell you what you should be wearing, where you should and shouldn’t go, and probably even what you should have for lunch on the day you are fishing. Everyone has their opinion, and with many of these subjects, different opinions will not really matter. People choose what they like and if it works for them, they believe it will work well for everybody else, too. Of course, there are some areas of fishing that are matters of fact and not opinion. The right bait is one of these areas. So are the best weather conditions for fishing.

The reason understanding weather conditions is so important when it comes to fishing is because different types of fish species do respond differently to different conditions. When you have an understanding of these conditions, it can help to increase your chance of landing fish. For now, though, let’s look at some of the basic types of weather conditions that tend to be considered ideal.

The Wind

Many people do not even realize that wind has the potential to play a role in their fishing success. The wind will push water and surface food away from the shore, in many cases. Naturally, this means that the baitfish follow that surface food and the game fish follow the bait. If the day happens to be windy, shore fishing is going to be somewhat more difficult than being out in a boat. If you do happen to be onshore, you want to cast into the wind and make sure the lure moves along with the wind.

Fronts

When the weather patterns change and there are storms, it will affect the fish. These creatures are very attuned to the barometric conditions, of course. Many types of fish will feed more intensely during the hours right before a cold front. The feeding will often slow during and after a storm. After a cold front has come through, even in areas that are typically warm, the fishing will continue to be poor for about a day or so.

When you are dealing with a warm front on the other hand, the increase in the water temperature will often make the fish want to feed more. The feeding will often take place closer to the surface during this time because this is the area that tends to be warmer.

Clouds

You have probably heard that fishing on a cloudy day can be beneficial. It turns out that this is true because the clouds will reduce the amount of light penetration in the water. Fish will often cruise for food more than they will during days that are particularly bright. During those brighter days, many types of fish will stay close to structures and spend more time hiding.

Rain

Rain can also affect the fishing. When there is a light rain, even though it might not be pleasant to be out in it, it is one of the best times to fish. The rain helps to break up the view that the fish have through the surface of the water. Rain can often stir up surface food and bait fish, which brings out the larger game fish.

However, it is important to remember that light rain is good for fishing. It’s not the case when it comes to heavy and hard rain. This is especially true for fishing in rivers, streams, and lakes.

What About the Time of Day

Although it is certainly possible for you to fish during anytime of the day, you will find that even when deep sea fishing, dawn and dusk tend to be good options. You will just want to make sure you’re not going out during a slack tide. When you are fishing rivers and lakes, the time of day will certainly play a role. There are good reasons that anglers tend to be early risers. They know that it’s one of the best times of the day to catch a wide range of fish.

Will the weather conditions be a 100% foolproof method of determining exactly when you should go fishing? No, of course not. You can’t always plan your trips for when the weather is “ideal” for fishing, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get out to the water and try your luck.

Sources

https://www.takemefishing.org/how-to-fish/when-to-fish/best-times-to-fish/