Weather changes, cloud and rain
Fronts, overcast weather and rain, and what they do to the fish's mood.
Changes in the weather are among the things anglers talk about most. Usually it is the combination of pressure, wind, cloud and temperature that makes the difference, not one factor alone.
Ahead of the front
As a low approaches, the pressure falls, the wind picks up and the clouds thicken. This spell can give very good fishing, especially for pike and perch. It can be worth being on the water just as the weather turns, as long as it is safe.
After the front
Once the front has passed it often turns clear, cold and windy, and the pressure rises fast. Many find the bite dies for a day or two. Fish deeper and slower, and look for shelter and shade.
Cloud
Overcast weather dims the light and makes fish less shy. Predators venture into shallower water. A grey day can therefore fish well all day, while a clear day often has its best hours at dawn and dusk.
Rain
- Drizzle breaks the surface like a light wind and can liven up the bite. It also washes insects and food off the land.
- Heavy rain clouds the water, and in small streams the level can rise quickly. It seldom fishes well.
- Thunder: leave the water. A carbon fibre rod is an excellent lightning conductor.
Settled weather
Several days of the same weather make the fishing predictable. Fish follow their habits, and if you found them one day they are often there the next. A long heat wave is the exception: warm water and strong light often make fish sluggish in the middle of the day, so fish early and late.
Planning by the forecast
- Look at the trend, not just the day: if a change is coming, the hours before it are often worth making the most of.
- Choose your spot by the wind: the windward side when it is moderate, the lee side when it blows too hard.
- Have a plan B for clear, cold weather after a front: deeper water, slower fishing and smaller lures.