Whenever one hits the waters in the hunt for fish, their aim is often to make the most bountiful catch. Several factors, therefore, come into play to make it possible for you to have a successful fishing expedition and, in the end, go back home with a good catch. The weather is one such critical factor and requires key focus. Rain, in particular, is important. The implication of rains on fishing and its difference on the entire fishing expedition is an element that requires you to consider when going out to fish. Essentially, many people who have the prospects of trying fishing often ask if doing it in the rain is beneficial in any way.
There have been contentions about this supposition, with some saying it makes no difference at all, while on the other hand, others believe that fishing in the rain indeed makes a difference on the resulting catch. So what difference, if any, does fishing in the rain make, and how does one as a fisherman go about it. This is because it is quite an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous experience; for instance, angling in torrents of rain in a small boat right at the middle of a lake where there are more fish and most likely prowling predators preying on these fish as well. Are there dangers that severe storms could overwhelm the boat and possibly topple it? What about lighting strikes and the risks that they portend? With these factors considered, and you are well-geared and have the proficiency to look beyond the future challenges, you will realize that fishing in the rain has many benefits.
Why would I fish in the rain?
Rain comes with its effects on and in the water body where you are fishing. Rainwater from the surrounding areas flowing into the lake, pond, mere, or tarn where you are fishing often brings with it loads of food that attracts the fish. From worms, crickets, crawling insects, and other types of critters, the rains often give the idea a blessing to the fish as it carries all these tiny creatures into the water. Then there is the disturbance that the flowing water causes in the lake as it flows in. little creatures dwelling in the lake are often troubled out of their hiding places. The result of these effects is a feeding frenzy for the fish; the smaller fish chase after the worms and critters deposited in the water for food, while the larger fish also emerge to feast on their smaller counterparts. In the end, the fish will be moving at will, attacking and tiring each other. The fisherman, in turn, has the most straightforward job of just casting their nets and hauling their catch into the boat. What more would a fisherman ask for in this case? Still, in this scenario, the disturbance caused by the torrents of water, especially near the rivulets’ mouths, tends to disturb the fish. More substantial floods every so often push the fish. In this case, savvy fishermen would only need to strategically cast and set their fishing gear such as nets such that the currents drive the fish into them. Another factor is that though psychologically, fish can be aware of aerial predators such as kingfishers and other birds that prey on them. Though arguable, the fish also appear to know that these birds hardly fly in storms and heavy rains. While they, every so often, have to emerge out of their hideouts and come out to eat or sometimes break the water’s surface to catch small critters, fish understand that their safety from their aerial hunters depends on them staying deep in the water. With the rains, a blanket of security descends on them in the “knowledge” that predators from air avoid showers. The fish, in turn, often roam near the surface during such conditions, which presents the fisherman fishing in the rains the opportunity to easily spot and catch them. The belief is that the drop in barometric pressure before the rains, the darkness of the gathered rain clouds, and the actual sound and feel of the rain droplets hitting the water surface create a sense of security. This is besides the notion that the drop in barometric pressure just before rains start affects fish, making them more active and sending them into a feeding frenzy. The more active the fish are, the better it is for fishing.
More benefits of fishing in the rain, and how to keep oneself safe in these conditions
Then think of these conditions when, for some reason, dissolved oxygen in the pond decreases, which in turn makes the fish less active. This happens when the water has been stagnant for long, and polluting agents have created a layer on the water’s surface inhibiting oxygen’s entry into the water. When rains come, they often disturb this membrane, dissolving it and letting oxygen into the water and not just aerating it, but also creating a cooling effect. During this very moment, the fish that had previously been inactive become invigorated, swimming closer to the surface to have fresh air and the cooling feeling. A fisherman who would be there then can land a big catch as the murkiness of the water also impedes the fishes’ ability to see well. There are also a number of fish that are more active in dim conditions. The carp, bass, catfish, walleyes, and mud fish among others are mostly active in nocturnal conditions. These fish would often come closer to the surface more when it appears dark, than when there is bright sunlight. This is particularly so when the water in the pond or lake is clear and allows in much light. Murky water driven into the pond by the rains often causes an impression of darkness in the fishes’ water habitats, which in turn attract these fish out of their hiding places. As a fisherman, this presents an opportunity to catch as many of them as one can. Another benefit is that the rushing rivulets from the surrounding areas often deposit earth and dirt into the pond, making visibility poor whenever it rains. The fish are therefore not easily spooked as they can not see the fisherman or angler. This factor offers you an opportunity to catch them, especially when you’re using a fishing net or a harpoon quickly.
That said, when fishing in the rain, it is important always to strive to be safe from the elements. Always wear good quality and appropriate fishing gear that will keep you comfortable in wet conditions. This has the effect of keeping you as a fisherman motivated to go on fishing despite the conditions. Also, strive to avoid lightning conditions. Because the fish are active then, either feeding or swimming around, you have to be a lot quicker in catching them and using brighter baits, unlike during calm conditions when the water isn’t murky, and the conditions are quiet. Then angling is appropriate. You can also set your fishing net near inlets into the lake as the rising tide and wind sometimes pushes the fish towards these locations. With these conditions achieved, and you have all the right equipment to keep you safe and comfortable in the showers, you can be assured of a good catch leveraging the rain’s effects on fish.