To many, rain means seeking shelter to keep dry and staying indoors to keep warm. But to seasoned and knowledgeable anglers, it’s an opportunity to get a big catch or two.
It’s natural for anybody to choose comfort in being away from the rain. However, wet weather presents a special opportunity for anglers that know how to take advantage of it. A successful fishing trip in foul weather is not impossible. In fact, it can even work in your favor. By knowing some tips and tricks and getting some practice, it will soon feel like second nature.
Where Do the Fish Go When It’s Raining?
Did you know that weather affects the behavior of fish? Some fish are not big fans of strong winds and rain, so they tend to go deeper into the water. Meanwhile, some fish see rainy weather as an opportunity to feed. Fish that eat insects like trout and sunfish swim near the surface and wait for the downpour to knock insects into the water. Additionally, there are also bigger fish that follow their prey. For example, small baitfish tend to be pushed toward the bank during a downpour, so bigger fish like largemouth bass will follow suit.
During rainfall, the water cools and darkens. These conditions are preferable for big fish, making them move around more than they do on a normal day. On the other hand, rain can cause the water to appear muddy to the angler. Although this is not ideal for the angler, it can be easily solved by moving to a more visible spot.
Getting to know the behavior of fish under different weather conditions is vital to becoming a seasoned and flexible angler.
How To Take Advantage of the Rain
Any weather is fishing weather if you know how to take advantage of it. Even foul weather can be in your favor if you know how to make it work for you. However, it’s not without its drawbacks. For one, rainfall breaks and disturbs the water’s surface, reducing the visibility of fish. Take advantage of this as you approach fishing spots without scaring them away.
Another disadvantage is that the rain can cause the bait to be less visible to the fish too. To combat this, be strategic about what kind of topwater bait to use and how it will be displaced in the water. Go for baits with some flash, or one that makes some movement to make them eye-catching.
Another perk of fishing on a rainy day is that there will be less competition. Who’d choose to get wet under the rain on purpose? Although there will be a few fellow anglers with the same idea as you, at least the amount of competition wouldn’t be as much compared to a normal day.
Speaking of rainy days, the wind blows west before the rainfall, which triggers fish to binge. This makes the direction of the wind a significant factor, especially before the pour.
As mentioned, the big fish follow the smaller fish that feed on insects. Knowing this, follow their lead. With this, factor in your choice of location. For example, inlets are good for halibut fishing trips, while trouts are found in freshwater. Factor this into your planning to make the most of the opportunity.
Pack Up the Right Gear
When in foul weather, stay warm and dry by wearing the right gear. Comfort should still be a priority. Wear waterproof gear for a more comfortable experience. Being wet and feeling irritated about it is only going to affect your mood and performance. Instead of catching fish, you might even catch a cold.
Don’t Feel Pressured
You might not catch as much fish as you want on the first try, and that’s okay. It’s never a wasted opportunity if you take it and try. Everyone needs some practice before getting the hang of it. In your first few tries, explore and experiment with what you know so far. See what works and what doesn’t. You will realize that every body of water and species of fish is unique upon application. Over time, the results of the first few times fishing in the rain will show.
Always Choose Safety First
Needless to say, it’s not recommended to go out fishing when there’s a thunder and lightning storm or heavy rainfall. A smart angler is after a safe and productive fishing trip. The best type of wet weather would be no lightning and thunder involved, just steady rain. And when the moment presents itself, pack up your things and wear your gear. You’re going fishing!
Meta title: How to Have a Successful Fishing Trip in the Rain
meta desc: Fishing while it’s raining sounds inconvenient, doesn’t it? But that’s not always the case. In reality, it can work in an angler’s favor.
