8 Tips for Fishing in the Rain You Should Know
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The rainy season might not be the best for many activities but it is favorable for fishing. You will catch more fish and with less effort. In this article, we explain important tips to keep in mind when you fish in the rain.
Why it's the Best Time to Fish
1. Increased Catching Opportunities
There are increased catching opportunities in the rain because fish tend to be more active. For instance, bass fish are attracted to fresh water from the rain because it has more oxygen and this excites them.
Additionally, there is more water movement so the fish are also likely to be on the move in search of food or as a direct effect of the wind and tides. Take advantage of the rain and storm to catch more fish and in an easier way.
2. More Active Fishes
In the rain, more fish such as the bass, are more active. The change in atmospheric pressure coupled with the increased disturbance on the surface of the water tends to excite the fish, rendering them more active.
At this point, the fish will move from their usual areas to look for food as they get into a feeding frenzy. They also tend to move much faster as they follow the baitfish which are often blown by the wind. As such, you will need to increase your speed and follow the fish to get a catch.
3. The “After the Storm” Effect
After a storm, the general pressure on the surface of the water becomes low and the fish will move closer to the surface to feed.
You should take advantage of this and fish as fast as you can before the effect goes away because once the fish feeds, they will go back to their usual state, and might not be easy to catch them.
Tips for Fishing in the Rain
1. Wear Appropriate Clothing
When you go fishing in the rain, it is important to keep warm and as dry as you can. It is, therefore, a great idea to wear warm clothing and you can achieve this by layering your attire.
You will also require a waterproof cover for your body and waterproof shoes (boots are preferable) to keep the water away. Make sure your head is covered to shield yourself from the cold.
A lifejacket when fishing on a boat is a must-have. This will be part of your attire and will help you keep afloat in case of an accident.
2. Check the Tides
In the rain and especially in storms, the water is pushed onto the shore and the tides are higher. That tends to push the smaller baitfish towards the shoreline. In that case, the larger fish will follow the smaller ones in order to fish.
The tides also tend to churn some bait and fish food up into the water. This attracts more fish towards the tides because they all need to feed. Follow the tide and you got yourself a great catch!
3. Look for the Clearest Water Available
The rain has a tendency to muddy water up, either by churning up the bottom of the water body or by bringing in silt from the inlets of the waterbody. Either way, this alone will make it difficult for you to spot fish, and for the fish to see the bait.
For that reason, it is advisable to look for places where water is clearer. This is usually in a calmer part of the lake, away from the inlet. Fish can easily spot bait in clear water.
4. Follow the Wind
It is almost always that when it rains, there is more wind because of the different pressure systems. You can easily get to your target fish by following the direction of the wind. This is because when the wind blows on the water, it blows away the smaller baitfish with it.
This consequently leads to the larger fish following the wind because some feed on the smaller fish. That way, you will be fishing in places where there is a high concentration of bigger fish.
Other places to fish are areas that are shielded from the wind such as ridges because the small baitfish tend to avoid being blown off by hiding in such areas. With that, the bigger fish will actively look for them in their shielded areas, in order to feed. You will be in luck if you land in such a rich area.
5. Take into Consideration the Water Temperature
Most fish prefer warmer water because it is ideal for habitation and even breeding. That way, even in the rain, they tend to move towards the warmer parts of the waterbody. Because rain makes the surface of the water cooler, fish will tend to swim deeper.
In this case, cast your line deeper in the area if you want to attract and catch more fish. Inlets may not be ideal because in most cases, they bring in colder water and thus keep fish away. It is also important to consider the season because, in warmer seasons, fish will be nearer to the surface.
6. Topwater All Day
Fishing topwater means casting your line or net nearer to the surface than you would on normal days. This will be beneficial to you since when it rains, more fish tend to feed and swim near the surface of the water.
This phenomenon is occasioned by the disturbance caused by rain, making fish more active and in more need of feeding.
7. Use Colourful Fishing Lures
In the rain, the water will most likely be muddied. That, in addition to the disturbance caused by raindrops, makes the visibility therein is quite low. This impacts the effectiveness of your bait because you need the fish to see the lure and get to it.
For this reason, it is advisable to use colourful lures to attract the attention of the fish. You can use large, bright neon-coloured lures with an interesting touch to them. For example, a lure with popping parts makes enough noise to catch the attention of the fish.
8. Safety
Observe safety practices when fishing to avoid hurting yourself in accidents. First, you must wear a life jacket on top of your waterproof cover. This is especially important if you are fishing on a boat because waves and tides might cause boating accidents and the life jacket will keep you afloat.
Carry safety supplies such as a flashlight , a radio, or cell phone where network coverage is good so that you can call for help in case of an accident. Ensure you go out fishing while sober because the use of alcoholic drinks may alter your judgment while out in the water, leading to accidents.
Additionally, be careful when handling hooks, baits, and sharp fishing knives. Keep them away in a secure place when they are not in use to avoid hurting yourself.
Further, do not fish in prohibited areas because not only can you get in conflict with the law, but you might run into dangerous areas such as unexpected rapids or ridges underwater. It may also be prohibited because it is a known lightning path and the fact that you are fishing in the rain puts you at risk of being struck by lightning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you will be in luck if you go out to fish in the rain because fish tend to be more active during that time and nearer to the surface.
Some of the tips to apply in this case include following the direction of the wind, fishing topwater, checking the tides, fishing in the clearest water available, and using colorful lures to grab the fish’s attention.
While at it, ensure you adorn appropriate gear to keep you warm and dry, all while observing the safety measures to avoid accidents.
