Pressure Systems and Weather

[Joe Weiers]

I am a young angler and I don't know much about how the weather affects fish. Can somebody help explain how high and low pressure systems, and how weather affect fish?

[the reel ess]

Well. low or dropping barometric pressure ahead of a front can be good for fishing. Bluebird skies with high pressure following a front are usually bad for fishing. An easterly breeze can be a sign of high pressure and is sometimes considered a bad sign. Wind from the east, fish bite the least. From the west, they bite the best. At least that's how the saying goes. If a front is coming and you have a choice, fish before it. Spring cold fronts affect fish worse than fall cold fronts. Fish can sense a front and sometimes feed up when they know a major weather swing is coming. Generally, mostly cloudy is preferable to full sun, no matter the pressure. Rain is not bad for fishing, only for fishermen.

But if you only have one day to fish, that's the day you fish. 

This is all just my opinion based on 45 years of observations. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, slow down and fish with soft plastics in places where you know there have been fish before. You can still usually catch some, but they won't be chasing reaction baits nearly as well. Full sun will force fish near cover, so they get a little more predictable. Muddy water will force them to shallow cover. I use black and blue a lot in off-color water. I never check the barometer or moon phase before going fishing. Well, I'll check the moon when bass or bluegill are bedding. That's about the extent of my knowledge on weather's effects on bass fishing.

[HoosierHawgs]

I have my preconceived notions on fronts and fish, but am interested to hear what the others on here say.

[A-Jay]

On ‎12‎/‎19‎/‎2015 at 5:06 PM, Joe Weiers said:

I am a young angler and I don't know much about how the weather affects fish. Can somebody help explain how high and low pressure systems, and how weather affect fish?

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

There's a life time of information to learn on this subject and quite a difference of opinions by anglers as to what matters and what does not. 

Although bass adjust to changes in their environment, they're easier to catch during certain times of the year because they're easier to find and more willing to eat,  The below article by David Hart originally appeared in Bassmaster in September 2007.

"Bass are confusing creatures. If you've spent much time trying to catch them, you already know that. One day you can't keep them off your lures. Come back to the same lake a week later, and it seems like every fish has packed a suitcase and left the state. Bass don't travel, of course, at least not out of their home waters, but their moods change often, which is why bass that were so active one day may seem like they have taken a vacation the next time you go fishing. More than likely, something in their homes has changed. Those changes are probably the result of a change in the water temperature or the season. Both play a major role in how bass behave.

Although bass adjust to changes in their environment, they're easier to catch during certain times of the year because they're easier to find and more willing to eat. That's why fishing can be so good in the spring and early summer and again in the fall. But Ken Cook, a retired fisheries biologist and a professional bass angler, says it's a mistake to say bass prefer one season or another or that they "like" a certain temperature range.

"Bass are cold-blooded, so they are more active in warmer water because their metabolisms are faster. Their bodies use more energy, so they need to eat more often," the 1991 Classic champ explains. "But that doesn't mean they aren't active at all in cold water. They just eat less when they're cold. Humans are similar because we need to eat more when we're more active because we burn up more energy."

Water temperatures change as the seasons change, and although temperature and seasonal variations both play different roles in bass behavior, the two are linked. We all know that lakes, rivers and ponds are colder in the winter, hotter in the summer, and somewhere in between in the spring and fall, but do you know bass move as the seasons and temperatures change? That's why we catch them in shallow water sometimes and in much deeper water at other times.

Confused? That's okay. Even Cook, a 14-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, still doesn't fully understand how natural variations in weather and seasons affect fish. Nobody really has all the answers. But based on his lifelong experience as a bass angler and biologist, he has a good understanding of where to find bass as the seasons change and as the water temperatures rise and fall.

"They really don't move that far. It's more of an up and down movement. They go shallow and deep all within the same relatively small area as the seasons change, but they don't migrate from one end of the lake to the other," he explains.

As winter gives way to spring and longer, warmer days heat the water, bass start thinking about spawning, so they move into shallow water because bass eggs need sunlight and warmth in order to hatch. Bass eat more often in warmer water, which makes catching them seem pretty easy sometimes. They stay shallow — typically less than 8 feet — until hot summer days push water temperatures into the high 80s. That's when they start to move out to deeper, cooler water where they stay until the shallower water starts to cool again in the fall.

Food is what really dominates the lives of bass. In the spring and fall, the "grocery store" is usually close to the shoreline and around cover like aquatic grass, rocks and docks. Small fish, crawfish, frogs and other creatures are most abundant and most active in shallow water, so that's where the bass will be.

"A primary reason they go to deeper water in the summer and winter is that it's more stable. There are fewer temperature and oxygen level fluctuations, which bass don't seem to like," says Allen Forshage, director of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Research Center. "Shad also go out to deeper water, and they're an important food source for bass. If a lake has shad, the bass tend to follow them in the summer and winter. Even bluegill will move out to deeper water during those seasons."

How deep do they go? It depends on the lake, but they can stay shallow if a few basic needs are met, or they could go to cover that's 25 feet or deeper. Cook has caught spotted bass that were 60 feet below the surface in some deep, clear lakes in Arkansas, but Forshage says there is virtually no oxygen below 15 feet in most Texas lakes in the summer.

"Oxygen is a limiting factor. Bass and all fish need it to survive, so in many cases, they can't go any deeper than 15 feet," he says. "It depends on the lake or the region of the country."

He adds that those bass that do stay shallow in the summer seek darker, cooler water when it gets hot. That can be shade provided by a dock, aquatic plants or a fallen tree. Cook says bass in clear lakes will often retreat to deep water in the summer to find that shade if they have food and oxygen, but bass living in murky water will often stay close to shore throughout the summer.

For much of the year, temperature really isn't that important. Bass can tolerate high and low temperatures pretty well. Cook says he only pays attention to his boat's thermometer when it's very hot — above 85 degrees — or very cold — which to him is anything below 50. But if it's between 55 degrees and 85 degrees, temperature really doesn't affect bass behavior all that much. They'll usually be in shallower water.

Remember, the air temperature doesn't have any effect on bass.

"As the water starts to cool again in the fall, forage fish such as shad move shallow, so the bass follow. In many cases, shad move toward the backs of long coves and bays, so the bass are in those same places," explains Cook.

As the days shorten and the air temperature falls, the water starts to get cold. Once the temperature reaches 50 degrees, the bass start moving to deeper water where they'll spend most of the winter. Although bass eat less in the winter, they still have to eat something occasionally. That's why catching bass in the winter can be tough; but it's not impossible. When Cook fishes in the winter, he likes to spend time on the water after a couple of warm, sunny days have raised the water temperature a little. A few degrees difference can really put the fish in the mood to eat.

"You have to keep in mind that in the winter, bass don't need to feed much at all, so don't expect to catch a bunch. If you can catch a couple in a day, you've done pretty well," he explains.

Of course, if you catch bass any time you go fishing, you can consider yourself fortunate … maybe even good. After all, it takes more than luck to understand how bass relate to water temperature and the changing seasons. It takes practice and lots of it. The more you fish, the better you'll be at finding and catching bass, no matter the time of year."

A-Jay

 

[FloridaFishinFool]

To put it simply as I understand it and experience it here in Florida...

A cold front is heavier air that tends to increase barometric pressure on the surface of a lake. Fish sense this and go deep and are harder to catch.

As the air temps warm up, the barometric pressure begins to drop, and the fish come up and are more active. Also possibly because the sun is warming the surface water some giving it an improved comfort level for fish who may want to feed in the improving conditions.

I don't know why it is, but if the barometric pressure is on the rise, fishing is more difficult, but when the barometric pressure is swinging to the low side, fishing activity tends to increase. Keep in mind this is a general pattern.

My salt water buddy who only fishes in salt water swears that he catches the biggest fish on the coldest days of the year.

[the reel ess]

I just saw something on Lindner's Angling Edge that has never occurred to me before but I subconsciously used it to my advantage. Highest humidity times are the best times for topwaters. This worked for me all summer this year and I didn't know why. My buddy kept telling me they weren't biting at the reservoir but I kept catching 3 to 5 nice bass every evening I'd go out in the kayak in the evening. Several over 5 lbs. Chug'n Spook, Chug Bug and hollow body frog. It got to the point I'd carry three rods: One T rig, one frog and one topwater hard bait.

[Raul]

Bluebird cloudless skies associated to high pressure systems are NOT BAD FOR FISHING, bluebird cloudless skies associated to high pressure systems are bad for you because you INSIST in fishing the same places, the same presentations, the same locations, so you blame your lack of skill in locating the fish in those conditions.

[Airman4754]

I used to pay attention to the weather, but it rarely works out the way it's supposed to. I've had bad days before a front and great days after one. Never have I been able to consistently perform according to weather. 

Now I'm way more interested in water color, water temperature, light penetration into the water, water current, chop on the water, and water level. Fish are in said water, we are above it. It's just kind of gee whiz what's going on where they actually are will play a much larger factor than where I am. My consistency is much better now. I catch about what I expect now instead of the crap shoot before. 

[Neil McCauley]

My theory is it is multifactorial- any one element of a cold front can be present alone- bright sun, high pressure,  whatever- and fishing will usually be fine. But a major pressure system is a whole collection of adverse changes and no two cold fronts are the same. Some aren't that bad, some are really bad, but the overall theme = bad. I still fish them and so should every one but it's more to learn than to catch fish. By seeing the high skies and storm runoff, feeling the cooler temps and wind, all together at once and correlating with the fishing or lack thereof you start to learn what patterns of cold front conditions affect fishing most. There isn't much evidence behind any of this so your own experience with weather systems will teach you the most. 

[Insanity]

Here's a good article on pressure. 

Edited to say I think the link is to the second page back up to the first page.

http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/fishing/2010/10/fishing-fronts-how-storms-effect-fishing?page=0%2C1

[scaleface]

Bluebird skies after a front dont seem to affect the deeper population of bass much . As far as shallow fish are concerned , make accurate cast to cover . I use a lot of plastic worms at those times . I like to cast pass the target reel it quickly until I'm next to and then kill it .

[WRB]

On December 19, 2015 at 2:06 PM, Joe Weiers said:

I am a young angler and I don't know much about how the weather affects fish. Can somebody help explain how high and low pressure systems, and how weather affect fish?

Welcome to bass fishing. My first suggestion is study weather so you have a good concept between low and high pressure systems verses the normal or stable weather where you fish.

The pressure change in itself is minimal or a very slight change usually less than 50 millibars, 100 millibars being a hurricane.

If the bass has a neutral air ladder pressure to allow it to suspend at 5 feet depth for example and a 100 millibars pressure change occurred quickly, the bass only needs to move down in the water column less than 6" in depth to off set the pressure drop.

So it's not the change in pressure that may affect the basses activity level directly, it's has more to do with climate conditions like rain, wind, temperature, depth of light, waves, water clarity that impacts the habitate.

As a general rule a low pressure system brings clouds, lower light conditions that could include rain with lower air temperatures that give predator fish like bass a advantage over the prey it feeds on and the bass is more active.

The backside of a low pressure system is call a cold front because the high pressure behind the low pressure system is pushing colder air mass. It's the cold front between low and high pressure systems anglers blame for the bass becoming less active and harder to catch.

One reason a cold front can shutdown a good bite is the very clear air allows bright sunlight and high winds to change the ecosystem by reducing the types of prey the bass feed and the bass have been feeding during the low pressure event, the bass are less active.

Active bass are a lot easier to catch than inactive bass.

Tom

[Catt]

Sudden rapid changes in weather create havoc regardless if it's high or low.

Gradual changes create less problems!

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, Catt said:

Sudden rapid changes in weather create havoc regardless if it's high or low.

Gradual changes create less problems!

Sudden rapid changes in weather during the dog days of summer are My Favorite times to get out on the water AT NIGHT.

Often the Best chance to bump into a Big girl during this time of year, especially if the first signs of the change happen during the night.

Day time periods can & do produce as well but the night ops seem to be better.

Of course safety is the primary concern especially when the winds is forecast to kick up a bit but those first few hours can be magic.

A-Jay

[Catt]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Sudden rapid changes in weather during the dog days of summer are My Favorite times to get out on the water AT NIGHT.

Often the Best chance to bump into a Big girl during this time of year, especially if the first signs of the change happen during the night.

Day time periods can & do produce as well but the night ops seem to be better.

Of course safety is the primary concern especially when the winds is forecast to kick up a bit but those first few hours can be magic.

A-Jay

Ya talking before, after, or during?

[A-Jay]

Just now, Catt said:

Ya talking before, after, or during ?

Truth be told Catt, (and I'm certain you, being a seasoned night ops angler know this) Right before & during the initial transitions is when I hope to be there.

Usually it's a pretty small window depending on the intensity / severity of the front. I'd be happy if it lasted 2 or 3 hours but usually it's starting to get a little snotty by then, especially out in the scary night time.

The little Old Town doesn't allow me to be there too long so after is usually not an option.

A-Jay

 

[Catt]

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

Truth be told Catt, (and I'm certain you, being a seasoned night ops angler know this) Right before & during the initial transitions is when I hope to be there.

Usually it's a pretty small window depending on the intensity / severity of the front. I'd be happy if it lasted 2 or 3 hours but usually it's starting to get a little snotty by then, especially out in the scary night time.

The little Old Town doesn't allow me to be there too long so after is usually not an option.

A-Jay

 

Don't be afraid of the night...Be afraid of what hunts in the night!

I have on occasion ran my boat on the bank & got out!

[A-Jay]

6 minutes ago, Catt said:

Don't be afraid of the night...Be afraid of what hunts in the night!

I have on occasion ran my boat on the bank & got out!

Tell me about - darn beavers - I come very close to going right in the drink every time.

btw - I never get out on the bank at night - too many Bears.

A-Jay

[Catt]

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Tell me about - darn beavers - I come very close to going right in the drink a every time.

btw - I never to the bank at night - too many Bears.

A-Jay

Get caught in 8' waves in a 16' boat ya'll beach it! 

[A-Jay]

Just now, Catt said:

Get caught in 8' waves in a 16' boat ya'll beach it! 

 I know it's not funny . . . . but I'm laughing as I know that feeling all too well my friend.

A-Jay