This is something I have never really gotten a handle on, but I have heard there is a pattern. For those of you who know (or even if you just think you know [
]) help me out.
The latest storm came through Monday, hit SL between 3 and 4 pm. I had planned to hit PV perch monday morning, but couldn't.
When would the best fishing have been?
Monday morning during the usual morning bite?
In the couple hours before the front hit? After the front, during the snowy, not-to-cold portion? Next morning when it was clear and cold?
Does anybody know the "why" to their answer?
Would it have been the same for other warm water species like bluegill?
Would they likely move deeper or shallower at any point?
What about trout, that generally like colder water?
Will
Thanks, fellas!
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I do not think the storms really affect the perch because they are always on the bottom of the lake no matter what. You just gotta hit the morning bite. thats when it has always been the best for me. u just gotta keep after them.
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Not sure if this helps or not, but the weather-in my experience- has so much less an impact on feeding activity as does barometric pressure. Regardless of snow,clouds, rain, or wind, barometric pressure dictates fish action. If you have a fishtank at home, you can even observe those little swimmers react and hold to the bottom, eating less vigorously and generally inactive when the pressure drops. More so when it is dramatic vs a slow steady decline.
I hope this at least provides an experienced opinion to help with your own!
josh
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I was up there Monday morn and Sunday. the fish acted the same both days all schooled up action fast then a sudden halt about 10 or 11am. So dont think the weather played that much on how the fish acted.
Joshomaru is right about the barometric pressure. I,ve noticed when bassin in the summer when the pressure gose down I have to slow things way down and fish plastic worms and jig n pig.
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[quote Springbuck] but I have heard there is a pattern.[/quote]
NOT! If it was that easy, everybody would know what it was, and agree. It would be the very first thing you learned about fishing. "The fish bite at this time, and not at this time, so this is when you go." Right.
You sometimes adapt your fishing to weather, and that's as far as it goes. There are way too many other factors that go into the equation. That's what keeps fishing magazines, fishing shows, tackle companies, and fishing forums in business. Otherwise, we'd all take the best lure and go to the water at the best time and catch every fish in the lake and/or river, every time.
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I really believe that fishing can get hot when the barometric pressure drops and a storm blows in, but I wouldn't dare say that for every time the pressure drops. And believe me, I'm not the type to believe in all the hokis pokis (sp?) out there, i.e. solunar tables, lure colors, etc. A lot of times I think us humans get lucky and call it skill. In the end it seems the more I think I know about fishing, the more I realize how much I don't know, and that my catching abilities seem to be tied to how the fishing gods are feeling for the day[:p]
All I know is I've been caught out on UL a few too many times (maybe just once, but that's too many) during the summer when a storm blows in because the fishing is so hot that we don't want to leave. Word to the wise make sure you have enough life jackets to go around, have two ores, and make sure your motor is in good working order[blush]
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I hate to rehash too much of what has been said already but TarponJim, in my opinion, made th best comment about there being too many variables to say exactly. In my experience the best fishing (in general) has been before and during the storm and worse afterward. At times I have had great fishing afterward and here are some of the variables I've noticed:
Speed of barometric pressure change - If it goes way down in a hurry and then back up in a big hurry, fish binge on the down side and go negative when it heads up. Slow down the presentation, change lure size, etc. and you can still have some success.
Current reduces the affect of the barometer so I may switch over to rivers/streams and still do well.
Competition among fish will negate some of the weather/barometer issues. Places with high populations of fish tend to still fish ok because fish are forced to compete more for available food resources.
If you don't fish when you have the opportunity you certainly won't catch any. Don't over analyze the situation. Too many think, "Oh no! The fishing is going to suck. We had a full moon" or "It rained last night" or "Mars was aligned with Venus." Screw it! Go fish and figure out what it is going to take to catch fish for the day. If you catch fish, try to figure out why so you can duplicate it. If you fail, try to figure out why so you can do something different next time. If it's too much for you, become a fair-weather fisherman. I fish when I can and do what I can to entice the fish to bite no matter the conditions I'm faced with. More often than not I get what I'm after. Good luck!
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