Fishing when it's cloudy/raining?

[BoroBass]

I'm not really new to fishing, but most of what I know is pretty simple stuff.

Me and a buddy finally managed to set a day when we were both available to go out and now the forecast is for clouds and a slight chance of rain. I really don't wanna cancel it at this point, but I've had nowhere near as much luck when I fish when it's cloudy compared to sunny recently (different ponds, but the cloudy day I got skunked and the 2 sunny days I caught a total of about 12-15 bass - didnt know my way around the pond on the cloudy day though so I'm not sure if it was really the clouds that were the problem).

Basically I'm asking for any tips for fishing on a cloudy day or perhaps during light rain.

After rain fishing topwater is best, or so I've thought most of my life (right or wrong?). Is it even worth it to try and fish while it's raining or just wait until it passes?

[jdw174]

Cloudy days will usually make fish more active and could scatter them a bit more.  Sunny days can make them bury up in cover.  Rain doesn't bother me in the least.  I'd take a cloudy, drizzly day over a bright sunny one any time  Days like that have been some of the best for me.  Topwaters are fine during these periods.  Likewise spinnerbaits and lipless/shallow running cranks.

[jomatty]

cloudy days with the chance of rain later is primo fishing time if you ask me.  go to some darker shades of plastic and try to get em going on some things like a spinnerbait or lipless crank, because they often wont be buried up in cover like they do in the sun.  topwater is great anytime there is cloudcover (assuming appropriate season) and i would definitely try a topwater both before during and after the storm.  basically anytime it is warm enough and there is cloudcover im gonna give the topwater bite a chance.

if you like pitchin and flippin heavy cover i can see not liking the clouds but for me cloudcover is always a good thing.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

CANCEL????  :-/

High Five is more like it!  

low light

rainfall (adds oxygen and provides food opportunities)

Less folks on the lake.

Get yourself some good Gore-Tex gear and attack those days

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

Cloudy skies and rainy days just INCREASE your options.

Good luck.

[Sam]

The raindrops cause confusion on the top of the water which will help mask your bait.

The bass will not hold tight to cover and start to roam.

The barometric pressure starts to drop causing the fish to feed.

I have had some of the best days on the water fishing in the rain.

Get wet?  Sure, why not?  No problem; just dress for it and take along a change of clothes, shoes and socks.  And remember to remove the plug when you trailer home to let the water drian out of the boat.

Have fun.

[moloch16]

Perfect fishing weather!  Fish are less spooky, you have more options.  Plus you can leave the Gatorade and sun screen at home

[Catt]

First the bass don't mind getting wet so don't worry about the rain

Second the bass's strike zone is greatly increased

Third I try to schedule my trips during such conditions as long as it aint sever thunderstorms  

[BoroBass]

Thanks for the tips and welcome guys.

I'd probably go out in a hurricane if you let me, its just my friend that's the eternal pessimist.  

Now I have something to show him next time he says he doesn't wanna go because of the weather.  ;D

[BLUESKY]

Dress for the weather and go to darker, duller collers. If a white spinnerbait with nickel blades had been working, I will change to brass blades, if a silver w/black back lippless crankbait had been working I will switch to a crawdad or other not so shiney color when the clouds move in. Ditto for worms, I'll switch from bright colors to more suttle colors like pumpkinseed or black.

[lifetimefisher]

Thanks for the tips and welcome guys.

I'd probably go out in a hurricane if you let me, its just my friend that's the eternal pessimist.

Now I have something to show him next time he says he doesn't wanna go because of the weather. ;D

well i have been cathing bass like crazy i have been using the banjo minnows they are the best in my opinon..good luck

[Guest avid]

Plus you can leave the Gatorade and sun screen at home Smiley

Wrong!..... Overcast skies do not filter out the harmful suns rays.  You can burn badly on an overcast day.

As for the gatoraide, always take fluid with you, even in the winter.

I have had several skin cancers removed due to sun exposure from fishing.

Trust me.  Nothing makes your heart sink into your shoes quicker than the doctor using the "C" word when he's talking to you.

USE SUN BLOCK

avid has spoken  

[BoroBass]

What do ya know, I had to convince him to go this morning and he ended up catching a new personal best.  

[shsesc]

Good for him, I'm going in the morning wearing my old german army flecktarn pattern gore-tex imitation rain gear that I got when I was working satellite dish installations.  It's supposed to be light rain here.  Hope I have the same luck as you guys did.

[grimlin]

i really need to save for some rain gear...only problem is i wear a hearing aid and can't get it wet.I tend to avoid water as much as possible specially rain.Taking off my hearing aid is a big NO for me...i like hearing things.

I'm thinking a shower cap...but i'd look plain goofy...so screw that....

[Guest avid]

Frog togs, are cheap and will keep you really dry.

They are not the most durable garments but they will keep you dry.  

Snug the hood around your ears and your good to go.

also don't be so quick to dismiss the shower cap idea.

The bass need a laugh too ya' know.

[bassinrick]

I love cloudy/rainy/windy days simply because I have fished them alot and learned alot that others dont take the time to learn. On rainy cloudy days I really like suspending jerk baits...Especially the Rapala Husky Jerk in silver on most water. I fish them in about 8 feet of water with quick jerks not moving the bait fast forward but keeping it in constant motion. I also like  spinnerbaits when there is a good overcast. I look for spots where very shallow water drops quickly into deeper water. I cast into the shallow and reel the spinner slowly down the drop. I also love the Senko, cotton candy in clearer water and junebug in stained water. I use them with a 1/16 ounce bullet sinker and fish them in the same spots I fish the spinner. On some of these days your best weapon will be simply your mental attitude and persistance in finding and catching these fish.

As for cover...Well if the area is clean the fish will be around cover but not tight to it. If the rain causes a runoff and stirs up muck in the water the bass will relate to the cover very tightly. When there sight is impaired by dirty water the bass find securtity in cover. Dropping texas rigged senkos or ribbon tails on them with a quiet presentation can be deadly if the water is stained or muddy due to the rain.

I hope I have given you some useful tips and good luck buddy.

[Classy]

Does the feeding time still stand on cloudy days or will they bite all day long? 

[J Francho]

Fourscore and 12 years ago, someone fished in the rain....

32 minutes ago, Classy said:

Does the feeding time still stand on cloudy days or will they bite all day long? 

I know of no set feeding time for bass.  They are more active at dusk and dawn (crepuscular).  Overcast days are my preference, but fish don't always read these forums, or follow the rules. 

 

[Classy]

Thank you for your reply sir.. I have overcast and we are expecting rain.. So, I'm going to get a line wet and see what top water produces for me.. 

[GreenPig]

Going Friday night with 90% chancs of rain. I enjoy fishing the windy & rainy days minus the freezing winter days.

[Koz]

On 5/17/2007 at 7:23 AM, Catt said:

First the bass don't mind getting wet so don't worry about the rain

 

Classic!

 

**Just realized this thread was resurrected from the dead.

[geo g]

I love fishing on these days as long as the rain is not too heavy, and no lightning.  First sign of lightning I take cover.  The fish move around and are not as tight to cover.  The bite can be excellent.  

[Koz]

On 5/19/2007 at 8:54 PM, grimlin said:

i really need to save for some rain gear...only problem is i wear a hearing aid and can't get it wet.I tend to avoid water as much as possible specially rain.Taking off my hearing aid is a big NO for me...i like hearing things.

I'm thinking a shower cap...but i'd look plain goofy...so screw that....

You could try something like this, or even a gaiter with another hat.

 

 

[Carol Knowles]

On 5/17/2007 at 4:05 AM, jomatty said:

cloudy days with the chance of rain later is primo fishing time if you ask me.  go to some darker shades of plastic and try to get em going on some things like a spinnerbait or lipless crank, because they often wont be buried up in cover like they do in the sun.  topwater is great anytime there is cloudcover (assuming appropriate season) and i would definitely try a topwater both before during and after the storm.  basically anytime it is warm enough and there is cloudcover im gonna give the topwater bite a chance.

if you like pitchin and flippin heavy cover i can see not liking the clouds but for me cloudcover is always a good thing.

Agreed!