Weather question (WARNING: LONG)

[Zeal]

Been a very long time since I've even taken a peek here, miss all you guys and hope all is well.

On to business! I've often wondered about weather conditions effects on fish and the one thing I could say I've been trying to wrap my brain around the saying my neighbor never stops saying, which is, "Fish don't give a $%^& about the weather".

He swears by it, I don't but I wonder if it has cost me fish (though I would much rather keep my safety especially being a loner in not having a fishing buddy to this day). So in my many hours of thought and somewhat field testing (some conditions were just too dangerous) I came to these theories. Please, please, PLEASE chime in and correct me or add in what you guys know/think. I was raised by boat so some of these can be naive thoughts. I don't own a barometer so I left that out and combinations are left out for the sake of keeping this as short as possible. Added in some plug stuff just to try and clarify some things. Not asking what plugs to use, I'm more interested in the fish behavior.

Cold - the fish seem to be a little sluggish in the shallow bays and a bit lazy in the inlets unless it's Fall-early Winter. Though April and May on Long Island always have been iffy for me aside from bluefish.

Hot and Humid - mid-July to September where you sweat on top of your own sweat. Fish go to deeper water and unless it's an incoming tide into an inlet with a little bit of cool water, target something other than stripers. On the surf the water is just so warm, even with a rogue bass it felt like seaweed was on the line rather than a lively striper.

Rain - unless its torrential downpours, the fish live in water, I don't see why water from the sky matters other than causing the water to become dirty. Just means my raincoat came in handy and I need to stick with parrot, chartreuse, chrome, or bone colored plugs (rattles seem to just be bluefish magnets). Caught fluke in the rain by boat in the past. Bass are always another story. Oddly, never caught a bluefish in the rain.

Wind - unless it's gale force winds, my threshold is about 20 knots (I've fished higher winds and the lures just don't stand a chance unless they are 5+ oz. which I don't own) that ideally should be in my face causing the bait to be pushed to me, if it is away from me or causes a really stupid hard sweep the skunks are coming in force...but my love for rough conditions led me to fish it anyway with extreme hit or miss striper fishing....

Fog - I have never caught any species of fish on a foggy night (we are talking moderate to dense fog) and I can't explain this one on how it might affect the fish and the water. Seems like a curse when I fish the fog.

**It should be noted I fish at night 99% of the time, during the Fall if sand eels are present I would do an early morning trip. The sun burns me way too easy**

Thoughts? Hope the season is kicking off great for everyone else! My first trip was enough to make me ignore the Spring run.

[Sea Flat]

Fog rules!! My favorite fishing conditions, I just feel that the fish stay in feeding mode later into the day.

I have never paid much attention to the barometer, but I know some say that before a storm that fish are more apt to be feeding. Having said that, I know of many instances where nice fish have been caught during storms.

Generally my father always used to say Spring-up, Fall-down in terms of lures. I really dont buy into this line of thinking although his logic is that in the Spring the water is not overly warm and the fish and bait are more apt to be towards the top of the water column where the sun warmed water is and vice versa in the Fall.

[Zeal]

Originally Posted by Sea Flat

Generally my father always used to say Spring-up, Fall-down in terms of lures. I really dont buy into this line of thinking although his logic is that in the Spring the water is not overly warm and the fish and bait are more apt to be towards the top of the water column where the sun warmed water is and vice versa in the Fall.

I've heard that line too, but I think it applies much more to lakes and ponds. Salt seems like the exception due to the moving water.

[Raven]

weather absolutely rules fish behavior
rain alters the waters PH and increases oxygen
rain disturbs the surface making it more difficult
for bait fish to be seen so they come out of hiding
same as DEER utilize fog to travel unseen during the day
barometric pressure as it descends lower or falling...
is a good thing .... spurs fish to feed

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by Sea Flat

Fog rules!! My favorite fishing conditions, I just feel that the fish stay in feeding mode later into the day.

Totally in agreement.The last few days have certainly proven that.

[Surf Caster]

For me, I've had the opposite experience in the hot weather. I've had some really solid nights with quality fish in the dead heat of July. This is pretty specific to one spot, so that could be the reason, but this is a spot where fish come in from deeper water to feed on a shallow reef at the top of the tide.

Re: Fog - I love it. Have had some really good luck on Cutty in the Fog.

[spinncognito]

Wind in your face, your in the right place!
I just made that up but I have always had the belief that if the wind is blowing onshore that the baitfish are likely to be "pushed" into shore as well and become easier targets for predators. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Of course, bait has to be present and there have been circumstances when the wind was howling out but the bass pushed the bait onto the beach but I think that is the exception, not the rule. A lot of guys cannot stand an onshore breeze as it cuts down on casting distance but if the fish are closer, how far do you really need to cast anyways??

[Raven]

this is so true Spinncognito:
....i went out onto the lake in an almost too windy to fish scenario
there were mini white caps rolling up to the beach
so i theorized that this is where the wind was stacking up baitfish
i positioned the Boat to within casting range of a fleeing
bait fish trying to split to deeper waters....
and caught a real nice six pound LM ....

[ivanputski]

weather is everything...

[piemma]

One thing an old Narragansett sharpie told me long ago is "fish feed on a front". Pay attention to that and you will catch large. It has worked for me for over 45 years.

[MAKAI]

Always liked the beach just before a storm.
Or a pretty good on shore wind.
Stirring the drink.
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