In modern times, fishing has become a hobby and is a great way to relax. Recreational fishing or sport fishing is an activity wherein you fish for pleasure or competition. It is not the same with commercial fishing, wherein it is being done for profit.
The most common form of sport fishing is done using a reel, rod, hooks, and line. There are many sports fishing variations, depending on the area and the species being targeted.
The Best Time To Go Fishing
The perfect time to go fishing varies. It also depends on whether you are freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing. Before we dwell on the technicalities of fishing, one thing is common for both areas. Most fishes are active during sunrise and sunset. The changing light triggers the feeding behavior of predatory fish.
Factors to Consider When Saltwater Fishing
Saltwater fishing is affected by many variables. But the major factors that affect saltwater fish behavior are the weather, light level, currents, and tides.
The Weather
The weather is significant to saltwater fishing in different ways. The wind is a significant factor since it could drive the bait back to a shoreline. And when the wind is howling, it creates a lot of ambient water noise.
Cloud cover also plays a major role, which will be explained further when we touch light levels. The weather directly affects the water temperature; thus, it affects the fish’s behavior.
Fishes also feed more before a cold front and lesser after it passes. The changes in barometric pressure trigger this.
Changes In Currents And Tides
Changes in currents and tides need to be checked and fishing since they have a huge impact on fishing. Places where fishes thrive, could be left muddy and bare during low tide conditions.
Since tides and currents are predictable, fishing expeditions should be planned. It is best to fish during a changing tide with moving currents rather than static or dead tides.
But these conditions change through time. It is best to map out the feeding pattern of the fish ecosystem in an area. (Read Is Fishing A Sport Or Game)
Light Levels
As mentioned earlier, the best time to fish is at sunrise and during sunset. This is because fish feed a lot during low-light conditions. And many anglers believe that the changing conditions make it hard for the prey to evade its predators.
The changing light also makes the lures more attractive. When it is bright, colorful lures should be used, and in contrast, matte-colored lures should do the trick when the light levels change.
How To Catch Fish In the Rain
As discussed earlier, changes in the environment are felt by the fish before you do. So before there are major weather changes in a certain area, fished would normally be feeding hard.
But when it rains, you can expect that the feeding frenzy will also die down. Rain brings in a lot of extra noise on the surface. And this, coupled with the changing currents and pressure, will drive the fish away.
So is it good to fish in the rain? Well, it depends. Many factors need to be considered, but there are ways to manage the situation.
Having the right gear during a rainy fishing day could also improve your chances of catching fish. Having the best portable fish finder could really come in handy in this situation.
Being weatherproof could help as well. One can have the most important gear during rainy fishing days has the right equipment to keep you dry. This means you need to have waterproof pants and jackets. (Learn How To Boil Lobster Tails)
Though this will not keep you dry, it helps regulate temperature, and therefore it would help with one’s endurance. So every time you go out fishing, having a jacket with you is a good idea.
Another factor to consider is one’s choice of lure or bait. Rain stirs up the water surface, and it adds more ambient noise. This, therefore, makes it difficult for the lures to be effective.
Using a live bait or a scent-driven lure is a great tactic in this kind of situation since fish can barely see the lure anyway.
Conclusion
Rain does not always mean that it is bad for fishing. It is just important for one to come prepared. The weather changes in more challenges, so having the right strategy will help overcome these problems.
Always remember that the fish are most active before there are changes in the weather. Fishing after rain is a good idea as well. As discussed, fishes are largely affected by changes in barometric pressure. This triggers their feeding pattern, and this can be used to one’s advantage.
Despite the hundreds of weather apps at our disposal, it is still essential to expect sudden weather changes. One might find that the conditions aren’t the same as what was reported during the news. (Learn How To Clean Flounder)
Besides having the right gear for fishing, always keep a watchful eye, especially when out on the open sea. If the forecast says that the day will be sunny, but there’s a big cloud coming your way, trust your instincts and go away.
To conclude, is fishing in the rain good? Not entirely, but the key is to come in prepared. Always plan out the trips thoroughly and go through every detail. (Find the Best Snorkel Masks)
Have a good backup plan in every situation. Because fishing might be a calm activity, but who knows when mother nature might not cooperate.
