fishing after a storm

Fishing After A Storm (The Good & The Bad)

Have you ever contemplated going fishing after a storm blows over?

If so, you are not alone.

While many avid fishermen only consider the idea, others go through with it.

However, before you venture out near the waterways after a storm, you should consider the possibilities and understand what affects it has on the sea life.

Storms can cause a lot of interference with fishing. Plus, you must worry about the damage the storm could have caused. Below, you will discover more information about fishing after a storm.

There are a lot of myths and uncertainty when it comes to this topic.

Truth is, there are many benefits to fishing after a storm, as well as there are negatives. This makes it neither a genius idea nor a stupid idea to fish after a storm has occurred.

I’ll explain these pros and cons in-depth down below, as well as the general effect a storm can have on your fishing session. Keep on reading!

How the Weather Affects Fish?

Like all animals, fish react to different types of weather patterns.

There are many reasons why fish and other animals behave the way they do.

This behavior is a very interesting phenomenon, which is why ichthyologists around the world are intrigued by it. Some have gone so far as to conduct in-depth studies on how fish react to different air pressures and weather. What has been determined from these studies is different fish species exhibit unique behaviors to specific kinds of weather.

It’s important to remember that not all fishes are affected the same. There are 200 species of fish, there is a lot of variety in the fish world. Some species are more similar than others. Just like us humans have different cultures and races; fish are no different.

Take for instance windy weather. Fish spend the biggest portion of their day finding something to eat. When it is windy outside, fish tend to move toward the bank. They react this way because the wind blows the small baitfish and insects toward the bank. Almost all fish react in this manner, even the largemouth bass. The small fish follow the insects while the largemouth bass follows the small fish.

How do fish react when the weather is hot and sunny? Well, they sure do not behave like most fishermen are led to believe. From the beginning of time, it was believed that the best fishing weather was hot and sunny. Unfortunately, this could be farther from the truth. The heat tends to drive insects away from the water. So, what do the fish do? They go deeper into the waters because it is cooler there. 

If your plans are to go fishing only on hot, sunny days, you may want to rethink your plans. Not many fish will be biting in this type of weather.

How do fish respond to cold fronts?

Well, they bite more.

It is believed that this is the perfect time for fishing because the fish tend to bite more during this type of weather than any other time.

Different fish species will react differently to winter weather. For example, carp and big mouth bass will generally stay close to the top, so they can track moving food better.

Other types of fish go deeper to avoid the water on the top freezing. So, you are not going to have a chance of catching these fish unless you are willing to cut a hole in the ice. If you decide to go through with this, you could very well catch the fish that are lingering just below the icy surface in hopes of snagging some food.

Cold weather takes its toll on fish. They tend to be less active but they still need to eat. Instead of following the fast-moving fish in the cold weather, the fish will turn to slow-moving trolling baits. Unfortunately, most fish tend to bite less in cold temperatures.

Benefits Of Fishing After A Storm

When it comes to fishing after a storm, your main priority should be safety. Depending on how severe the storm was, you may not want to venture out on the waterways alone. If you are lucky, you will meet a few fishermen on your way, so you will not be alone.

Take precautions when fishing in stormy weather, even if the storm appears to have blown over. In hot weather, storms can pop up out of nowhere. Being prepared for such weather is the only way to ensure your safety.

Fishing after a storm is a great way to ensure a decent yield. At this time, the barometric pressures are gradually decreasing. Fish react to changes in barometric pressure. When the barometric pressure is high, fish tend to bite less and when the pressure drops lower, they tend to bite more.

While you do not want to be caught out on the water in a storm, a great time to snag some fish is as the storm system moves in. At this time, the barometric pressure is beginning to drop. The pressure will continue to drop as the storm moves through the area.

If it is safe for you to continue fishing, you should consider doing so because the fish will be biting like crazy.

With that said, heavy rains and lighting have a tendency to scare fish, pushing deeper into the water. Some fish will forget about eating and go search for cover instead. 

As mentioned above, heavy rainfall will push insects and small bait fish to the bank. If you do not mind fishing in this type of weather, you could snag a few fish by staying along the bank.

It is important to note that it is not all about the actual barometric pressure.

Instead, it is more about the direction the pressure is heading (falling or rising). Fish are more active when the barometric pressure is dropping and less active when the pressure in rising.

If you can remember this tidbit, you could capitalize on every storm front that comes your way. But, always remember safety comes first.

Disadvantages Of Fishing After A Storm

While there are some benefits associated with fishing after a storm, there are some cons as well. You need to know both upfront.

Of course, the severity of the pros and cons really depends on the type of storm that just rolled through.

If you are dealing with a cold front, you’re going to encounter far more problems. After all, the cold weather is going to make the fish slow down and become lethargic. They might even remain dormant for a lengthy period. After a cold front moves through and causes a storm, you’re going to have a tougher time snagging fish.

You should probably wait until everything settles down before trying again.

Heavy rainfall can be problematic too. After all, this might cause the water to become murky. Because of this, you might not be able to see what you’re doing. That can create big problems.

Fishing after a storm is not always a good thing. You have to weigh the pros and cons, consider the type of storm that just moved through, and make your decision. It is best to fish after a warm front with moderate to light rainfall. This will give you the best results.

Tips For Fishing After A Storm

Ultimately, fishing after a storm will be much different. You have to prepare yourself to be successful when fishing in this type of situation.

First and foremost, you should never attempt to fish when it is storming outside. If it thundering and lightning, you should head back inside. It is not worth the risk.

However, the conditions might be beneficial once things have subsided. When the storms clear out, it is time to get back out there on the lake. You have to understand how the fish are going to act in this type of situation.

In the south, it is common for spotted bass to become more active during the thunder and lightning. However, largemouth bass will likely become more dormant.

After all, these fish prefer shallower waters and they’re going to be impacted more by the storms. So, you’ll probably need to fish in deeper waters to get better results. The fish will likely slow down a bit too. Therefore, you may want to stick to a lighter Texas soft plastic. Or, you’ll need to use other tactics.

Either way, you’ll need to adjust your fishing gear and techniques to accommodate to the slower fish. As long as you do that, you can still catch fish after the storm has passed. You should also know the species of fish in the area. This will help you determine how they’re going to behave. In return, you’ll have a much easier time adjusting your methods to ensure your success.

Fishing and Rain Video Discussion

Conclusion

At the end of the day, fishing after a storm can be very beneficial. However, it comes with several drawbacks as well.

The storms can make the water murky. If you’re dealing with a cold front, you’re going to have a much more difficult time trying to catch a fish.

However, a warm front will swing things into your favor.

With that being said, it can be tough to fish after a storm or it might be easier. It really depends on the specific set of circumstances that you’re dealing with. As long as you know the characteristics of the fish and the weather, you’ll know whether or not it is a good time to hit the lake.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *