This came up in Raven's moon thread, so I wanted to start a new thread to keep from derailing his.

Do any of you guys keep track of barometric pressure and how it effects your fishing? I fish mostly from a boat, but I hate high barometer days. These seem to be the blue bird sky days/nights with cranking winds, high seas and the boat just drifts too fast.

I like a falling barometer the best, which usually seems to indicate a storm is coming. I have had days where the fish seem really active as the barometer starts to fall.

I only keep track of the barometric pressure when fishing the rivers. It seems to have a greater effect on how the fishing is for me in the shallow river system than in the salt. I may be just missing something in the salt, though.

A drop or rise in barrometric pressure tends to make the fish more active. And a newly arrived high pressure system makes for finicky bass. IMO barrometric pressure is one of the most influential factors to fish activity.

I absolutely hate fishing High Pressure systems especially when they first move in, they definately turn fish off...It is a bit different when fishing a boat because you can target much deeper water, It still has an effect though. Once a high pressure system moves in the bass fishing comes to a halt...there are some small exceptions though. Every day after that the fishing will start to build and within a few days will peak.The absolute best time to fish boat or surf is just before a high pressure system moves in...Ive had some unbelievable nights during those times. I keep accurate logs and this has been through my experiences....

I absolutely hate fishing High Pressure systems especially when they first move in, they definately turn fish off...It is a bit different when fishing a boat because you can target much deeper water, It still has an effect though. Once a high pressure system moves in the bass fishing comes to a halt...there are some small exceptions though. Every day after that the fishing will start to build and within a few days will peak.The absolute best time to fish boat or surf is just before a high pressure system moves in...Ive had some unbelievable nights during those times. I keep accurate logs and this has been through my experiences....

I'll second this for sure. I've also had several people tell me that bait fish tend to hold deeper when high pressure rolls in, and I'd have to agree with that.

I can't quote this exactly but I read this a long time ago. It goes something like this. Any rapid change in barometric pressure will turn the Bass on right before the change and then turn them off during. Thus the reason we tend to get fish right before a front and it dies right after the front move thru.

[thankyou for your kindness and consideration slapshot ]
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of info :when the barometric pressure is high, it pushes the plankton down. Baitfish then have to be deeper...... so you fish deeper and slower

Some great info here. I have heard that the fish move deeper in a high pressure situation, I need to look into that. Keep em coming!

I do not believe that fish in salt water coastal environment are sensitive to a barometric pressure change by itself. If you look at the amount of pressure fluctuation that accompanies a major frontal system, it is minimal compared to the amount of fluctuation in pressure that accompanies vertical movement of the fish in the water column, as well as pressure fluctuations due to waves and tide fluctuation.

What I do believe is that the fish, baitfish and plankton are sensitive to the changing ocean conditons that accompany atmospheric frontal systems (like wind, wave direction and height, temperature fluctuation, mixing of the water column wind driven currents etc). Barometric pressure is just one of the changing variables that are associated with these frontal systems but the other variables probably have a bigger impact on the response of the food chain.

I do believe what has been stated that in general fish will often move deeper with a higher pressure front that has moved in, but not because of the pressure, but IMO it is because of the other changing events associated with the new frontal system.

Ed

Barometric pressure effects evrything around us, from the tides to our bodies.
I have heard both ends, high pressure pushes plakton down, where baitfish and prey follow. Or low pressure allows fish bladders to expand, so they move into a deeper water column to equalize the pressure.
Both sound plausible, and I think everyone has experienced exceptional fishes either before or after a front moves in or leaves.
So.... I have no idea what that means :yak5:

I had my best day ever right before a major summer storm/hurricane moved in years ago. The front end of the storm was amazing fishing as was the tail end before a high pressure system filled in behind the low. I have targeted a couple of weather patterns like this in the recent past and have noticed a similiar pattern. If its not something you have targeted in the past, it is something you should try this season. We can all compare notes in the fall.

Ed..
I think you hit it on the head.. not bad for an engineer :D
I think it's a cummulitive effect of the conditions, and what that triggers in the fish as to what they should eat, where they should go etc..
Then again what do I know I'm a dirt and rocks guy :smash:

I agree w/Ed. Read an article about this - Pressure at the surface is 1 atmosphere, equal to the weight of all the above air. At 32.8 feet below, pressure is 2 atmospheres. Normal barometric pressure is about 30 inches. Strong pressure is about 32.7 inches. A hurricane can drop it to 28 or so. The difference of 2.7 inches of barometric pressure is about equal to .09 atmospheres. That’s equivalent to a fish moving up the water column 3.28 feet! The pressure in the ocean is much greater (about 800 times) than atmospheric pressure.

I try to always fish when the pressure is dropping and a front is coming. Seems like they do go crazy for whatever reason.

Some of the best nights I ever had on the Vineyard were associated with passing fronts. Before the front passes, you have a very strong SW flow. As the front moves in, the fishing can explode. I usually retreat to the truck when lightning (often associated with an oncoming cold front in summer and early fall) moves in, then directly after the front passes, while the water is still roiled from the strong SW, the fishing is often right where I left it for an hour or three. However, once high pressure builds and the wind swings around to the N or NW, it just dies. Is it pressure-related, or due to the wind shift flattening the rip and killing the movement of the water--who knows :huh: But that's an observation based on what I've seen happen an awful lot.

Barometric Pressure definately effects fish...As far as winds and tides go...I am just about ALWAYS fishing wind with tide, boat or surf. I usually travel a long ways to fish so I have to pick and choose the areas with the best conditions for me and my best shot at some cows, them little tweeners dont interest me much, but then agian those are my prefferences.

:bl: Some of the best nights I ever had on the Vineyard were associated with passing fronts. Before the front passes, you have a very strong SW flow. As the front moves in, the fishing can explode. I usually retreat to the truck when lightning (often associated with an oncoming cold front in summer and early fall) moves in, then directly after the front passes, while the water is still roiled from the strong SW, the fishing is often right where I left it for an hour or three. However, once high pressure builds and the wind swings around to the N or NW, it just dies. Is it pressure-related, or due to the wind shift flattening the rip and killing the movement of the water--who knows :huh: But that's an observation based on what I've seen happen an awful lot.
damn skippy.......
I follow the barometric pressure and some great fishing can be had , i like around 29.7
when the pressure goes up the fish go down so a boat is a good thing to have But at other times I have got alot of fish with the pressure up.
any way I have my sweet spot for catching fish. and dnothing beats a front moving in and fishing stormy weather.
some of You boat guys may know that the bones chow hard as a squall moves in,
alot of nuances are involved and alot comes from exp on the water. some nights all can be just right yet no fish only to find them on the other side of the tide or another beach yet at the same time that high front can shut down all the beaches. and thats when its time to hit up the bays and estuarys to take a look.
another point for some of You, in a full moon, bays are usually holding fish busting on top or slapping sand eels.
Here are the top plugs that will catch
1.,,,.. yellow and white bomber ( you may swap out patterns and shades of yellow)

2,.,.,.. black and chrome bomber
the next few bombers are after these , pearl white or bone I have tricked out bombers that are hued pearl that scream they have there hooks hopped up to.
wood..
1.,,.,.,. 1 a yellow danny worked on top
2,., a yellow pike (John R knows this one from fishin with Me) worked on top
3.,.,. for needles I have some light colord ones , tsome colors I will tell You though for needles are white and variants of white and pink.
I toss a flesh colord needle and a yellow needle the most along with others
(hey I cant tell all)

FOR YOU EEL Guys.,.,.,.,.
whilt the eel is alive and spunky nail it down the throat or use a 3/8 rubber core above the swivel to get it down.
this is where the art begings as You want to keep the eel out there yet keep line control You want the only time You bring it in is when it hits the wash line. I find high pressure and or full moon or both this will land You fish.
as the eel calms down un weight it and toss it out and keep control, You want this thing on the bottom Yet moving at its own with out hindering the eel. agen" let the eel come in with the wash.
whats this got to do with barometric pressue.
ALOT!

I know you can get the pressure info online, but I actually own a baragraph. It measures relative air pressure and records it on a rotating drum with red ink. But one component left over from when my grandparents used to sell all sorts of weather equipment. Perhaps I'll actually plug the thing in :uhoh:

-spence

:faga::wavey:great info .....especially about allowing the eel to chill out....first.

Pretty nasty out with wind and rain and waves. If you were fishing right now would you postition yourself based on the barometer or the conditions? :huh: Barometer in Newport reads 29.87 right now.

http://www.maineharbors.com/cgi-bin/weather/mhwx.cgi?forecast=zandh&state=ri&zone=07&icao=KUUU&alt=ri07

29.87" is close to "standard atmosphere" at sea level, which if I remember correctly from my flying days is 29.92". Is it rising, falling or steady?

Looks like barometric pressure fell slowly from a high of 30.02 inches of mercury, based on observation at TF Green airport. This change in pressure calculates to a water depth change of about 2 inches.
In this amount of time we have gone from a nice day to a nasty and rainy one, a windshift from SW to SE and throughout 2 complete tidal cycles with water variation of about 3.5 to 4.5 feet each time.

What to do at 29.87 ??? :huh:

Ed

Local conditions for me are, 51 degrees, wind SE at 13 with gusts to 17, barometer 29.71" and falling. Moon a few days down from full. If I had the ability, I'd probably head out to a back bay or inlet location, north facing, adjacent to a bridge, 3 hours into the ebb current ;) Easterly winds here are tough in the spring, so I'd want the warmest stage of the tide, 3-4 hours into the ebb, 1-2 hours into the flood. A fluctuation of a couple of degrees in water temps can make a difference. Bays are warmer than the ocean. Plenty of times I've had a bite going in the early flood, felt the change in water temp thru my waders and had the switch thrown.

Interesting Mike P. :wiggle: Early season at an inlet, at a bridge where there is usually some water restriction and higher current flow. Trying to find a little warmer water and get out of the snot of the Southeaster.

There are times like these:

The solunar tables tell me that the fish will bite, but the moon is full and fishing sucks.

The night is "black as coal" in mid June, but the wind is east and the fishing sucks.

There is a front coming in: SW hard, then hard NW, but the bass are no where to be found.

It's 11pm as I put my trash barrels out - I can "smell" the bass in the air (I live a 1/4 mile from the surf), 3 hours later without a hit (but plenty of casting practice) I hit the sack.

The Block Island shad bushes are in full bloom but I can't find a bass.

Excerpt from "Black As Coal":
Conditions were perfect. The tide pulling hard, the plugs pulsating and working nicely in the current. All of my tricks were not producing - the drop back, the dart, and the agonizingly slow retrieve with the needle that stripers can't resist. None of them worked. I then said to myself "You know Dennis - sometimes they just don't bite". It's nothing that you do wrong. Not the conditions on which to lay blame. Sometimes they just don't bite. But why is that? Just another surfcasting mystery to solve on another night, another tide, maybe tomorrow, maybe next year. I'll figure it out eventually, I have to. They are my passion, these nights "Black as Coal".


And then there are these times:

Second day of a cold front, bright full moon, wind howling NW at 25, good night for me to sleep in... - my partner calls me in the morning: "Where were you last night?"
(I hate those morning after calls.)

Two weeks of no bass - middle of August, 12 noon, temp close to 90, cows swirling in 5 feet of water taking my poppers while I'm getting a wicked bad sunburn.

Like everyone, I have my set of "preferred conditions" when I'd like to be chasing Roccus. But I've been around long enough to know that there are always exceptions to my "general rules", and as I always say - "Bass don't read my general rules".

A good set of conditions at Montauk might suck on the Cape.

So get out there and cast - pay attention to what the barometer says but don't overlook wind direction, moon, current, tide, bait, flowers in the backyard, your olfactory, etc, and don't let them govern the times you fish.
Be flexible.
And, as Ed B says , everything is interrelated, there are so MANY variables. How they affect each other is a piece of the puzzle. Just add one more thing - Confidence - with it you'll be a much better fisherman.

DZ

And, as Ed B says , everything is interrelated, there are so MANY variables. How they affect each other is a piece of the puzzle. Just add one more thing - Confidence - with it you'll be a much better fisherman.

DZ

SW winds and a falling barometer have almost always seemed to work well for me locally - but the older I get the more I have learned to never say 'always' :smokin: I generally try to avoid a full moon with no cloud cover, too, but then I've also had nights where the bass didn't turn on until the full moon rose - right when I was getting ready to leave - go figure :huh:

Overall, I have to agree with EdB - the other variables probably have a bigger impact on the response of the food chain than just barometric pressure alone.

I had to nod my head to Mike P's Vineyard experiences - the one thing that does get me a little wound up is a fast moving squall - and I've had some dandy nights on one side or the other of them - but when the static charge in the air is discharging through your guides when you touch them, it's God's way of telling you to get the hell out of Dodge, muy pronto :eek5:

I usta LMB fish alot yrs ago an high pressure blue bird sky days where the worst.i remember seein a video of a LMB actually leaning against a dock piling as if he had no balance.With that said If there was a tournament in those conditions someone always came in with the 20 lb bag of fish.this taught me to always believe there's a bite to be had if u can figure it out.I have had some great fishin with a 2 oz. bucktail in the surf the morning after a big blow because shad where around. it's all relative.Same with the moon some full moons like the FM in june don't matter go fishin. the temps are right an there is plenty of competition for food they will chow.use daytime colors.I see all this talk bout moons an now pressure.The main reason I like low pressure is because its nasty out or gettin nasty.that keeps alot of guys in the rack.I just go fishin when I have time no matter what the circumstances an have been rewarded on the off days as well as skunked on the good days.there are to many variables in striper fishin to take only one or two sets of guidlines to go by.Do i think a drop in barometer makes for good fishin absolutely.but i ain't stayin in because its nice out.Time on the water is never wasted.

Just want to give a quick Hello to you guys since I'm a newbie to the site. I like topics like this so I figured I'd make it my first post. Like the site and hope to contribute something useful. :wavey: anyway.................

I agree with Raven...The smaller the organism, the more affected it is by barometric pressure. It's not the fact that fish higher in the food chain are affected ( though they are ), the bigger factor is that their food is. Stripers seem to zip their mouths during high pressure because since the food is not active or has left the area searching for their own dinner, they lower their activity to preserve energy stores until the bait comes back and it is more feasible to expend energy when it can easily be replenished and stored to a greater capacity than before. Stripers will still hit when given the opportunity, they just won't chase as much. This is why slow and low techniques work so well at this time for fish that don't follow the bait to deeper water.

Some good info here but there is an exception to the passing of the front/rising barometer/hard NW wind = lousy fishing.

In the fall, deepwater inlets that empty shallow back bays can be phenomenal under those conditions.

The NW wind brings cold air and the short chop that develops on the back bays cools the water very quickly. This either moves bait to the warmer, more stable water of the inlet or it flushes the bait out of the back bay on into the ocean and on towards its fall migration. I've seen IRI choke with mullet, spot and 'nuts during those times.

Give me a snot s#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&' blue norther in mid-fall and I'll have good fishing.