How does Weather Affect Bass Fishing?

[RLinNH]

Been fishing for quite a few years, but never got a serious with Bass fishing as I have this year. I am wondering how does the weather pattern affect the Bass fishing? Before a rain storm, do the fish feed more heavily? During a rain, do they tend to shut off? I mean, fish DO have to eat, right?

          In the past, I'd stick my head out the window before I headed out to the river. If it was raining, I'd grab my rain coat and transfer my basic stuff from my vest over to the rain coat, and head out. Nopw a days though, I am trying to understand what the weather patterns do to the Bass.

[Shad_Master]

When it rains the fish get wet  ;D No seriously what fishermen (and their wives) call poor weather conditions can cause the fish to turn on rather than turn off.  I fished in a tournament two weeks ago - it was raining when we got to the lake and rained all day until 1 hour before weigh-in.  The fish were biting like crazy and there were several patterns that held up throughout the day.  Last year, I fished a tournament where two days before it was raining and wind blowing and we were getting bit on everything - then on tournament day the skies cleared and there was no wind at all.  14 out of 25 fishermen blanked on the day.

[RLinNH]

So you're saying that the Bass fishing gets BETTER when the weather goes South?

[Guest ouachitabassangler]

Go back and study the weather concerning the recent Classic at Toho. They had all sorts of weather, some extreme including water spouts, yet records were set. Bass mostly just go some other place or depth, probably mostly in response to some change to the water they are in. The actual weather, that affect us, doesn't directly affect fish, but can change oxygen levels in the water, it's pressure as affected by air pressure on it, visibility. In the case at Toho the bass remained on sites but sight fishermen couldn't see bedding bass, so the fishermen were affected intensely. High winds increased muddy water conditions, but didn't change the bite. Anglers that adjusted and coped better did well. Those whose plans were shattered by the weather had a tough time. Around here lots of folks will come off a windy lake with high waves fishless, claiming the wind shut the bass down, while the next guy that welcomes wind wears himself out catching bass. The same goes for atmospheric pressure changes. While for some that kills the fishing, for others it's just a better opportunity. They know bass simply drift a few feew deeper than they were under a lower pressure yesterday, still biting.

Jim

[RLinNH]

How do you determine atmospheric pressure? :-?

[papa smurf]

I watch the weather channel to get the barometric pressure.

[Rattlinrogue]

An approaching storm system comes with a barometric pressure that is dropping which most all believe(including me) turn on the bass.Also this time of year overcast skies will have the bass cruising around looking to feed.Sunny skies cause bass to drop down into deeper water. It also causes shallow water bass to hold tight to cover.Sunday morning it was overcast for a while and I caught 3 bass on a LC Live Pointer 80-MR in 4-6 feet of water. Then the sun came out.I pitched watermelon candy tubes at floating grass mats and caught 4 bass.I never felt a thing .Just saw my  line moving and set the hook.

[Tucson]

The more I read about weather effects on fishing the more confused I become.  I carry a barometer in my boat but maybe I'm putting too fine a point on it.  I guess the best thing is to go fishing whenever I can and just forget the weather.  I'm on vacation on Little Lake Harris all May and I've caught 3 small largies and one bluegill this week.  Not bad huh?  On the other hand, not very good either.  The barometer has been pegged way low all week so I've been blaming it on that.  Please fishes, let me catch you, I'll throw you back, honest!

[Guest the_muddy_man]

WHEN THE LAKE FREEZES I STAY HOME

[jb_from_texas]

try this post.  it was very extensive

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1137692024/0

[George Welcome]

Weather will affect the fishing: However, differently based on where you are; differently from one time to the other; differently from one bait to the other.

In other words: bass live by no rules and what applies this minute may not apply the next. The only rule that applies to weather is: It will affect you!

[Biglouie]

In general I think lake fish are more affected by the weather than the river fish.  At least where I am, the river fish generally are  more affected by current.    Unless it's a long drastic change in weather (like the huge cold front that's been here for a week, with snow even yesterday!) it doesn't seem to have the same affect on the river fish as the lake fish.  My two cents.

[gatrboy53]

weather conditions can only be spoken of as generalities.weather conditions DONT affect fish.change in conditions mostly pressure DO affect fish behavior.they will become more or less active in certain locations.the higher the pressure the less active and deeper they have to go to stay comfortable,but they still have to and will eat,usually when the gravitational pull makes them feel comfortable to eat.there again bass are predatory and you put something for them to eat in front of them and they will eat it.2 keys bar. pressure tells you where the best place to look for bass and moon phase tells you what and how to present bait.weather conditions are for fishermen not fish.always fish when you can.the pros prove this week in and week out they catch fish in every condition regardless!