Weather

[GoneFishingLTN]

I’m trying to learn how bass react to weather. I understand the basics, such as how a full moon helps them move up to spawn. Before a front, they feed aggressively, and after a front, they move a little deeper. But I feel like I don’t fully understand what the weather actually means for their behavior.

 

For example, if it’s post-front the next day but cloudy instead of sunny, does that mean they might not move as much? I’m trying to figure out how different conditions impact their behavior. Is there anywhere I can read more about this topic?

[Catt]

What time of the year we talking?

[Bird]

I know drastic water temp changes in short order = lock jaw.

This time of year anyway.

 

[Rucksack]

I'm bumping this thread because I've been looking for a well researched book on this topic. Seems like I can only find scattered online articles and videos on behavior. Would love something comprehensive I can read on bass behavior that isn't on a screen. 

 

For OP's specific question, the homepage for our forum has a pretty good collection of articles you can search through organized by category. There's good stuff on wind, fronts, seasonal changes, and the like.

[TnRiver46]

3 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

But I feel like I don’t fully understand what the weather actually means for their behavior. 

No human will ever fully understand, regardless of what they think/say

[Jar11591]

In my opinion and experience, the effects of weather events such as cold fronts on bass are overstated. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Good luck!  

 

The best weather for fishing is whenever you can go.   Outside of dangerous conditions, you should never let the weather dictate whether you go fishing or not. 

 

I've crushed them on days that should have been horrible according to Bass dogma, and vice versa.   

 

Some general things hold true like warming trends in winter, but overall, it's a bunch of voodoo science imho.

[Scott F]

3 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

I’m trying to learn how bass react to weather. I understand the basics, such as how a full moon helps them move up to spawn. Before a front, they feed aggressively, and after a front, they move a little deeper. 

Where did you find information on the full moon effects on spawning? Aside from anecdotal, I haven’t found any studies that confirm any connection. 

[Tennessee Boy]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

No human will ever fully understand, regardless of what they think/say

Couldn't agree more.  

 

Let consider just rain.  Rain can increases dissolved oxygen, change the water turbidity,  change the water temperature,  increase the current,  raise the water level,  etc.  

 

How fish react to changes in their environment depends on a countless number of factors.  To condense the secondary effects that weather potentially has on a fishery into concrete rules that an angler can use to catch more fish is impossible in my opinion.  That said I'm sure there are plenty of  people that think they have figured it out and would love to share their thoughts with you.  

 

You may be able to find local patterns that are repeatable when conditions are similar.  Don't overestimate how repeatable these patterns are on other fisheries or at different times of the year.

[Team9nine]

One of the only books that I’ve read that tackled the weather question with “real-time” underwater scuba observation was “Lunker” by Bob Underwood. It’s a classic, and a must-have (IMO) for your library.

 

[Tennessee Boy]

29 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

“Lunker” by Bob Underwater

I think you had a Freudian slip with the name.  😆

[Swamp Girl]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

No human will ever fully understand, regardless of what they think/say

 

Agree.

 

As @Tennessee Boy stated so well, there are so many variables in play. Consider weather forecasting. There is software that considers countless similar weather scenarios when making a forecast. Even then, with so much data, the program can still err. Then add bass into the mix, each one an individual with their own idiosyncrasies, and also the specifics of the water you're fishing, and the best we can do is guess well.  

 

If there's one consistency for me, it's lousy picnic weather. If you look out the window and think, "What a lousy day for a picnic," then it's a great day to go fishing.

 

Overcast? Good.

 

Foggy? Better.

 

Raining? The best!

 

I also like a South wind, whatever the cloud conditions.

[Team9nine]

2 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I think you had a Freudian slip with the name.  😆

 

LOL - fixed

 

[Pat Brown]

The best thing anyone ever did for me was get me to look at the *prevailing* conditions and trends moreso than the *weather today*

 

I agree that basically different seasons - different answers to this question - in addition to different bodies of water and fish.

 

Best you can really do is get out there and start observing *your* fish during different conditions seasonally and learn them.

 

As much as we all want bass to be a thing that can be explained by one angler to another - it's largely a lake by lake/fish by fish type deal - especially with regards to how your fish react to changes in weather seasonally.

[DaubsNU1]

4 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

No human will ever fully understand, regardless of what they think/say

 

Could not agree more @TnRiver46!!

 

I have been logging my fishing trips since 1991...tracking everything from air temp, water temp, barometric pressure, moon phase, water clarity, wind speed and direction, sunny/cloudy/overcast/fog, etc, etc., etc.

 

My goal was to somehow "crack-the-code" and figure out the best and worst days to catch fish.

 

About all I figured out was this...if I'm fishing two days over a weekend here in Nebraska...and catch fish on the first day...I will likely struggle the next day. And vice versa : )  Your results may vary.

 

Fishing on the Churchill River system up in Canada last summer...our results did vary. Of course....

1. It was Canada
2. Fishing pressure was non-existent (I think we saw one other boat in four days!)
3. We were catching Walleye on our 1oz. pike spoons with 18" steel leaders(!) So I guess this really doesn't count...

[Swamp Girl]

11 minutes ago, DaubsNU1 said:

About all I figured out was this...if I'm fishing two days over a weekend here in Nebraska...and catch fish on the first day...I will likely struggle the next day. And vice versa : )  Your results may vary.

 

My results don't vary. If I'm fishing back-to-back days, I still have to find the fish and figure what they want the second day. They're shifty.

[WRB]

Too many variables to comprehend regarding weather and fishing.

Every weather frontal change is different and it’s up to each angler to evaluate for their location. 
The term “normal” weather conditions is different for every regional area and seasonal periods.

A weather cold front is the backend of a low pressure front and the front of the high pressure system that clears out the clouds usually with wind creating bright sky.

The wind and bright sky affects the fish activity differently seasonally.

Complex topic.

Tom

[Bankbeater]

I go fishing when I can.  I can adjust baits based on brightness, water clarity, and the amount of cover in the water.  Other than that I just keep my fingers crossed. 

[Catt]

In opinion it depends on time of year

 

Weather conditions & frontal conditions have a more profound effect during pre-spawn/spawn than summer. 

[Bird]

I've also heard that stable weather conditions several days in a row can contribute to consistent patterns.

Like many have posted,

I have pretermimed days set aside each week to fish and not much will disrupt that....... except wind.

[Swamp Girl]

12 minutes ago, Bird said:

I've also heard that stable weather conditions several days in a row can contribute to consistent patterns.

 

I completely agree. I remember stretches up to a week where the pattern held and I caught bass everyday in the same places.

[Harold H]

10 hours ago, Rucksack said:

I'm bumping this thread because I've been looking for a well researched book on this topic. Seems like I can only find scattered online articles and videos on behavior. Would love something comprehensive I can read on bass behavior that isn't on a screen. 

 

For OP's specific question, the homepage for our forum has a pretty good collection of articles you can search through organized by category. There's good stuff on wind, fronts, seasonal changes, and the like.

There are numerous books from the North American Fisherman Club related to bass, I would recommend them. My buddy gave me a book from his grandad, catch fish anywhere, anytime, and even though it's dated, has taught me a lot. The nature of a bass remains the same even with 1 million different lures available nowadays. And the enternet honestly sucks for good info, books reign supreme

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/405216708237?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&google_free_listing_action=view_item

[TnRiver46]

Warmest day of the year yesterday at 81 degrees and 4 of us got skunked, not a single bite . Ready for winter 😆 

[DaubsNU1]

12 hours ago, Bird said:

I have pretermimed days set aside each week to fish and not much will disrupt that....... except wind.

 

Yea, wind can be a real factor...but not as much with spot-lock. I really like that feature. 

 

But when the wind is blowing a consistent 25-35 MPH, with gusts to 45 MPH...that is for sure a stay-at-home-day. 

[TnRiver46]

My preference: if the weather is really nice and everyone thinks it will make the fish bite, do boat/trailer maintenance at home or cut the grass 

 

if fishermen are saying “that cold front knocked them in the head,” then hook up the boat and go fishing