MackPrince
Washington Forum MODERATOR
Do you ever find yourself reading a report, getting excited to hit a lake that is producing and then find yourself with an empty fish box after a long day fishing? I'll share a little of my old school knowledge about how watching the weather forecast can impact your choices about when to be on the water and how to change your techniques.
Up until last year I didn't run a fish finder, and yet thanks to some gentlemen like Don Ostlund, Glenn Biddle and John Tracy I learned ways to find the fish. With my fishing time limited like many of you due to family and work responsibilities I still try to pick my days fishing when I can. For this thread I'll focus on the barometer.
*When there is a drop in barometric pressure fish feed more and become more active. (Low pressure system) When weather begins to change to cloudy from consistent sun filled days the fishing seems to peak.
*If the low pressure system remains cloudy or scattered showers during the day fish will come more shallow and be agressive on the bite until this becomes the norm after a couple days.
*If stormy weather or consistent rain continues the fish are less active and go to deeper and calmer water.
*When a high pressure system begins to move back into an area that was stormy or mild the fish are increasingly active until the cloud free skies resume and persist. Fish will begin to move to their normal depth.
*With a steady barometric pressure target bottom structure, drop-offs, and thermoclines. If a long hot spell of sunshine sticks around the fish will go deep for cooler water.
Overall if fishing is good get it while you can. If it is lousy or slow time your next outing with a weather change.
-Mack
Up until last year I didn't run a fish finder, and yet thanks to some gentlemen like Don Ostlund, Glenn Biddle and John Tracy I learned ways to find the fish. With my fishing time limited like many of you due to family and work responsibilities I still try to pick my days fishing when I can. For this thread I'll focus on the barometer.
*When there is a drop in barometric pressure fish feed more and become more active. (Low pressure system) When weather begins to change to cloudy from consistent sun filled days the fishing seems to peak.
*If the low pressure system remains cloudy or scattered showers during the day fish will come more shallow and be agressive on the bite until this becomes the norm after a couple days.
*If stormy weather or consistent rain continues the fish are less active and go to deeper and calmer water.
*When a high pressure system begins to move back into an area that was stormy or mild the fish are increasingly active until the cloud free skies resume and persist. Fish will begin to move to their normal depth.
*With a steady barometric pressure target bottom structure, drop-offs, and thermoclines. If a long hot spell of sunshine sticks around the fish will go deep for cooler water.
Overall if fishing is good get it while you can. If it is lousy or slow time your next outing with a weather change.
-Mack
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