Cold Front Waste of Time?

[Redtail]

It was in the high 70's here most of last week (Central MA).  This week it's been back down in the low sixties.  Last night and tonight it could get to the high thirties.  Do you think this cold front will give the fish lock jaw tomorrow?  It's suppose to be 60 again.  I'll probably try it anyway.

[Matt Fly]

For the most part, that is true.   Usually numbers are down, but better quality of fish shows up on days like that.    You never know unless you go.

[Raul]

Well, in my experience a sudden drop in air temperature unless associated with atmospheric events typical of a "cold front" ( high pressure which brings clear blue cloudless skies ) has very little effect on the fish behavior.

So unless you have both: sudden drop in air temperature plus high pressure and clear blue cloudless skies you can 't say it 's a "cold front", it 's just a drop in air temperature.

The things I change when a cold front happens are:

1.- The speed of retrieve

2.- The size of the baits

3.- The depth I fish

4.- The cover I seek for fishing.

Can 't say I 'm a pro, won 't say that I always catch fish, but I do catch some fish when others don 't  because I 'm not fishing with what they are fishing, where and how they are fishing.

[Marty]

It's suppose to be 60 again.  I'll probably try it anyway.

That's the smart thing. Bass break the rules too often to stay home because conditions aren't the best per the book.

[Paul Roberts]

Rarely a waste of time. Drops in temp seem to bother anglers more than bass -I didn't always believe that. But, bright sun can make getting close to fish without spooking them really tough.

Plus, your going to have 60's. That'll likely warm the water some through the day from overnight lows. That's good!

Some possibilities:

Fish from further away, fish lighter lines, fish deeper, fish thicker cover, fish translucent finishes and chromes, do not let the fish get a good look at your lure (speed, erratic). Obviously, not all at the same time! Pick and choose for the water in front of you. Also, look for water that will help disguise your casting disturbances and lures: wind rippled surface, slightly turbid waters.

Don't stay home! Go find some magic you can share with the rest of us.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

If ur in Ma a cold front wont bother ya as much cold fronts do more damage in areas that have a consistant temp year round  oR like with me in Maryland the summer can be pretty hot for a few months then bam a cold front comes through worst fishing of all summer for me any how take a week for um to get back to normal

[thetr20one]

Fish in my area are not so affected by cold fronts thankfully!!I could problably go out today and catch 6# smallies or 4-5# largemouth but we just hade a really bad storm come through. (its still in the area or I would go out). Not affected here,

[southiesteve]

I've been fishing in the Boston area 4-5 times a week per week the last month and can reliably say that this weather is actually a really good thing. The overcast skies mean more active, aggressive fish, and the fact that the temps have cooled off have kept them off the beds, meaning they're still in pre-spawn feeding mode. I took 4 beautiful fish on rat-l-traps last night, 2 of them absolutely burning the retrieve and the other 2 trolling very very quickly across the lake. Point is the weather is making them more aggressive and you should absolutely get out there tomorrow. Try chartreuse crankbaits and suspending jerkbaits in a perch pattern around the edges and tops of submerged grass. At my lake they are hanging out in 10' of water like clockwork, suspended at the edge of the grasslines and attacking anything that looks like a passing meal no matter how fast it's moving. I also fished this pattern with great success in NH a few times in the last 2 weeks with conditions exactly like the current ones.

This isn't really a cold front we're in right now, just because the air temp drops like it has doesn't always mean a cold front. The thing that shuts the bite down is rising barometric pressure rolling through and giving you blue skies, sunshine and dead calm water. Plus, water temps are in the 45-60 range around the state, so it's not like 40's and 50's air temperature is going to cause any major drop in water temp. The water temp takes a sustained influence (2 weeks of 30 degree weather straight) to really feel any impact. With the wind, rain and clouds we're going to have all weekend, these fish should be going nuts like a fat lady at a buffet. Good luck and enjoy.

[fishfordollars]

If the front is not a bad one it probably will have a small effect on the water temps. Just slow way down and if it is a bluebird day fish tight to cover, realize that you will not get a lot of bites(generally), so be prepared and take advantage by fishing each spot thouroughly and from different angles. It may take a dozen cast to a likely spot to make the fish bite.

[roadwarrior]

I've been fishing in the Boston area 4-5 times a week per week the last month and can reliably say that this weather is actually a really good thing. The overcast skies mean more active, aggressive fish, and the fact that the temps have cooled off have kept them off the beds, meaning they're still in pre-spawn feeding mode. I took 4 beautiful fish on rat-l-traps last night, 2 of them absolutely burning the retrieve and the other 2 trolling very very quickly across the lake. Point is the weather is making them more aggressive and you should absolutely get out there tomorrow. Try chartreuse crankbaits and suspending jerkbaits in a perch pattern around the edges and tops of submerged grass. At my lake they are hanging out in 10' of water like clockwork, suspended at the edge of the grasslines and attacking anything that looks like a passing meal no matter how fast it's moving. I also fished this pattern with great success in NH a few times in the last 2 weeks with conditions exactly like the current ones.

This isn't really a cold front we're in right now, just because the air temp drops like it has doesn't always mean a cold front. The thing that shuts the bite down is rising barometric pressure rolling through and giving you blue skies, sunshine and dead calm water. Plus, water temps are in the 45-60 range around the state, so it's not like 40's and 50's air temperature is going to cause any major drop in water temp. The water temp takes a sustained influence (2 weeks of 30 degree weather straight) to really feel any impact. With the wind, rain and clouds we're going to have all weekend, these fish should be going nuts like a fat lady at a buffet. Good luck and enjoy.

Welcome aboard!

8-)

[BASS fisherman]

It's suppose to be 60 again. I'll probably try it anyway.

That's the smart thing. Bass break the rules too often to stay home because conditions aren't the best per the book.

I agree.

I was catching them the other day with a low of 40 degrees with a mix of rain and snow.

[=Matt 5.0=]

Yeah baby! 60 degrees, overcast, cloudy and a chance of showers! Bring it on! Sounds like a fishy weekend here in Southern New England!

[Tin]

Its a spinnerbait, trap, and jerkbait kind of weekend. 8-)

[Joel W]

The other day I fished one of the NYC reservoirs and the bottom just dropped out of the night time temps. I got on the water at 7am and the air temps were just 33 degrees. Water temps were nearly 7 degrees cooler then the previous week @ 54 degrees. I only boated 2 SM both on 4 inch tubes in 4-8 FOW, and I found 4 decent LM's to 3 1/2 lbs on the inside weed line on a Rapala DT-10 Crankbait bounced along on the bottom.

Now my numbers sure weren't anything to write home about, as my friends killed 'em a few days before with much warmer temps. But still I boated some quality Bass, and it sure beats working.

The bottom line is that I fish when I can, which is generally once per week, so I can't really pick and choose when I'm going to get out. The only times I opt to stay home is when there are active Thunder storms, and or the wind is just making it impossible to fish safely.

Remember, NYC only allows rowboats, no trolling motors. We control our boats by oar power, drift socks, and the use of anchors.

[Paul Roberts]

Joel,

Great report. A lot of people look at those conditions and psyche themselves out -confidence is huge! Dropping temps and high skies can be more difficult, but it's not all about numbers. Sounds like you rose to the challenge really well, and put together a good day. I'd be pretty pleased with myself.

[Redtail]

Thanks for all the advice!

I went to my favorite spot, but didn't go out in my boat.  I walked the shoreline near the dam where we usually have the most success.  I had a plan - don't use soft plastics - try other types of bait I usually don't have patience for.  I'm a senko-holic.

I managed to get 6 fish in about 3 hours.  Took two on a trap (first two ever), one on a spinnerbait and 3 on a 1/4 ounce jig and twin tail grub trailer.  Ooops, I think that would be considered soft plastics.  But it was new to me as I've had little success with them.

Nothing big, all under 3 lbs, but I actually caught some fish on something other than a senko or Ika.  I think during the season, I will dedicate times not to use soft plastics and see what happens.

If you can't learn something on this site - you'll never learn!

[Joel W]

Thanks for all the advice!

I went to my favorite spot, but didn't go out in my boat.  I walked the shoreline near the dam where we usually have the most success.  I had a plan - don't use soft plastics - try other types of bait I usually don't have patience for.  I'm a senko-holic.

I managed to get 6 fish in about 3 hours.  Took two on a trap (first two ever), one on a spinnerbait and 3 on a 1/4 ounce jig and twin tail grub trailer.  Ooops, I think that would be considered soft plastics.  But it was new to me as I've had little success with them.

Nothing big, all under 3 lbs, but I actually caught some fish on something other than a senko or Ika.  I think during the season, I will dedicate times not to use soft plastics and see what happens.

If you can't learn something on this site - you'll never learn!

Excellent outing.  Just think how much better you would have done fishing those areas from your boat. Ie, the ability to cover more of that water.

Senkos and other stickbaits have their place but as you learned there are other baits better suited for certain conditions.

[Paul Roberts]

Versatility is a key skill. The confidence to fish different lures comes down to having good days with a new lures -the fish really are the best teachers in this regard.