Fishing during rainfall...

[anthony6377]

Does the rain have any effect, whether it be positive or negative, on your fishing? Do you change your approach or technique to adjust to the different conditions?

Also, as I'm sure many of your are aware, many parts of the country have been getting killed by storms over the past week or so. This has obviously caused the water levels to increase substantially. What are the appropriate adjustments to make, if any?  I would imagine that adding more weight would be a good approach, but I'd really like to hear the opinions of those with more knowledge.  

[PUStinkbait]

I have heard that fish can sense when there is going to be a storm and they will feed heavily rightr before a storm and then not feed until late evening the next day.  I really don't know if that is the case but that is what people have told me before.

[jomatty]

i posted recently about this and the answers i got said that basically nothing changes except perhaps the light.  if it rains enough to muddy the water than this of course needs to be taken into account also but the same techniques that were working before the storm hits will be productive during the rain.

matt

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Matty has the idea.  We are expecting showers today.  We were going to fish the sunrise but when we heard "rain coming", we decided to wait till it starts.

Less pressure also

[Valascus]

Nothing wrong with fishing in the rain...in fact fishing in the rain can be fantastic. If you don't have any raingear...I suggest (along with many others on this forum) Cabela's Guidewear.

[basser89]

In the tournament I fished last sunday, we had about an hour all day that it didn't rain (and I'm very glad I had my rain gear on!). The bite was slow and the majority of the bass that we caught were on a finesse bite! I've fished other times before, during and after the rain and have had mixed results. Water clarity does help dictate where and how active the bass are. Take your time and figure out what mood the bass are in and don't rule anything (lure and presentation wise) out until the bass tell you otherwise!

[SuthernProg]

One problem with fishing in the rain is focus. People start thinking about how hard it's raining, when's it gonna quit raining, my GAWD it's a gullywahser! Then they're thinking about the cellphone in their pocket, when's the rain gonna stop, thinking about the 50 dollar bill in their wallet that might be getting wet. Next thing you know, yer missin' fish.

Prog.

[RLinNH]

I have that dilema for tomorrow. I hate fishing in the rain becasue I hate it when the deck of my boat gets wet (Hey, I'm a little anal about my boat, kay? ). We have had torrential down pours throughout the day today, and tomorrow is supposed to be more of the same. So, when I wake up in the morning, if it's not raining, I go fishing. Also, I have no rain gear to speak of. I'll bring my set of Gore-Tex Waders and a rain jacket just in case. If I get caught in the rain, I might as well stay out in it as it will be to late to try and keep my boat deck dry.  :'(  LOL!!!

[George Welcome]

Rain and fish:

Today's fishing: It's going to rain and the fishing is fantastic. It's raining cats and dogs and the fishing in dynamite.

Tomorrow's fishing: It's going to rain the the fishing stinks. It's raining cats and dogs and the fishing stinks.

The reality: There are no rules whatsoever in bass fishing. As quick as you make or find one the bass will change it.

The easiest way to handle rain, the possibility of rain, or lack of rain is stay positive and keep on fishing. If it's a boomer get the heck off the water.

[anthony6377]

i posted recently about this and the answers i got said that basically nothing changes except perhaps the light. if it rains enough to muddy the water than this of course needs to be taken into account also but the same techniques that were working before the storm hits will be productive during the rain.

matt

I must really suck at searching, because I did a search before making the thread, I swear!  >

[Guest avid]

the question about fishing in the rain is a good one.  Let's stick to it.

Personally when it starts to rain I find the fishing improves.  Remember, I live in Florida so the lakes get awfully hot during the summer.  A nice downpour, cools and oxygenates the water often turning on the bite.  I'll always toss some topwaters in the rain.  

It's the lightning that worries me.  I live East of the big "O" which is a strom engine.  Some big crashing boomers can blow up very quickly.  I have been caught on the water more than once during some torrential downpours with accompanying lightning and thunder.  spooky stuff.  Problem is that often times the bite is awesome.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I live East of the big "O" which is a strom engine. Some big crashing boomers can blow up very quickly. I have been caught on the water more than once during some torrential downpours with accompanying lightning and thunder.

That must be a biggie down there. Up here,we can see what's coming for the most part as it comes across the Ohio Valley. Plus I got Hawg_Hunter in Iowa and it seems I get his exact weather, 5 days later. Almost odd!

When they say, in New England "If you don't like the weather, stick around a minute", it's more about temp drops. 80 and sunny today and 55 and raining tomorrow. We really don't get those stealth storms that brew instnantly like in your parts. I imagine it adds a whole new element to your game plan. Always have an out.

When we get hit with a hard storm, it either is the hurricane that missed you and flew up the coast to my back door or the ones that sit out over the ocean and wait till it's big enough to do real damage before it moves over land and sits there for 3 days,lol. (Nor' Easter, capitalized for a reason!)

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I love fishing in the rain EXCEPT IF ITS LIGHTNING THEN I GET OFF THE WATER

If no lightning my favorite way to fish is right up to shore Using Floating 6inch worms weithless and T-rigged I look where water is streaming into the lake or by any kind of cover My idea is the bass generate to these areas and are eating worms that are wasing in kind of matching the hatch

I have always caught fish this way It never misses

[BLUESKY]

I'm not real fond of fishing in the rain but, it seems that the majority of tournaments this year have so far been in the rain. Lite easy rain no or little wind, I daon't much change what I'm using. As the weather changes I adjust to Baits that I can stay in touch with, it is important to know what is happening at the other end of the line no matter what the weather. Good rain gear is essential if you dont want to be wet and misserable, Frog Toggs are really good in my opinoin, especially since they have been available at about half price lately. If you get them a bit larger than you need you can ad a sweatshirt or jacket underneath it and use it in the spring and fall when the weather tends to be chilly.