It is always a good idea to go fishing after it rains. Fish become more aggressive and active after a storm, so they are more likely to bite then. This means that you will have a more impressive catch than when the weather is all clear, bright, and sunny.
However, it is not as simple and straightforward as it sounds. There are factors that you would need to put into consideration before you head out to fish.
For starters, you need to know the type of fish that you are targeting and the perfect fishing location for it.
Additionally, you should be able to understand how the temperature of the water, pressure levels, oxygen levels, and the intensity of the downpour affect the behavior of fish.
This knowledge could mean the difference between a successful fishing experience and a disappointing one. Just like other animals, fish respond to changes in the weather.
They can sense when there have been changes in pressure, temperature, and passing fronts.
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HOW DOES RAIN AFFECT FISH BEHAVIOUR?
Rain affects fish behavior because of three crucial aspects:
- The temperature of the rainwater.
- Oxygen levels as a result of the rain.
- Prevailing pressure.
1. The temperature of the rainwater
Whether the rain is warm-tempered or cold-tempered will significantly affect the behavior of the fish and hence, the success of your fishing experience.
Warm rainwater increases the temperature of the water body, which makes fish more active. It is easier to catch fish when they are all over the place. Furthermore, one is more likely to enjoy fishing when it is warm outside.
On the other hand, cold rains cool down the water bodies, which decreases the average temperature. As a result, the fish become less active and a lot harder to catch.
Therefore, you are likely to have a disappointing experience if you go fishing when the water temperature is low. The exception would be ice fishing on lakes.
2. Oxygen Levels as a result of the rain
Fish are more active and more likely to bite when the levels of oxygen in the water are high. Water can hold more oxygen when its temperatures are cool.
During summer, when it is hot, oxygen levels in water are low. Inadequate oxygen levels in the water make fish sluggish and lethargic, making it hard to get them to bite.
Therefore, a good amount of rain would be needed to improve oxygen levels in the water.
3. Prevailing Pressure
The best time to go fishing is when the air pressure is low since the pressure correlates with oxygen levels in the water.
This means that when the pressure is low, oxygen levels in water are high, and the fish are active and more likely to bite.
When the water temperature is warm, probably because it is summertime, the pressure is high, which means that oxygen levels are low and the fish are inactive.
When it rains, the water cools down, the pressure reduces, and the fish become active and more likely to bite.
WHY IS IT EASY TO FISH AFTER RAIN?
After a good downpour, fish tend to become more active, which increases the odds of them biting in good numbers.
So, why is it that fish bite better after it rains? There are several reasons as to why fish are more likely to bite after a downpour and why this is a perfect time to go fishing:
1. Rain increases bait in the water.
When it rains heavily, the rainwater washes stuff from the banks and creeks into the water. This run-off includes baits such as worms, insects, and lizards.
An influx of bait in the water excites the fish and activates them, especially those that feed in the higher columns of the water.
The rain also makes the water cloudy, which means that the smaller fish, also known as the baitfish, cannot clearly see the bigger fish that feed on them.
For safety purposes, the baitfish usually group themselves into schools and stick somewhere close to the shore.
If you find the schools of baitfish, you better believe that the bigger fish are not far along.
The cloudy water does not only impair the vision of the baitfish- the bigger fish find it harder to see too.
This is a good thing because the fish will be more inclined to go for any type of bait provided it remotely resembles baitfish.
2. Rain increases oxygen in the water.
As we have already mentioned, oxygen levels in water determine the activity level of fish. In turn, this affects their likelihood to bite.
When it rains, especially during summer, water temperatures are brought down, increasing the ability to hold more oxygen.
For oxygen levels to rise, the rain must pour for a significant amount of time- thirty minutes and more.
An increase in oxygen levels instantly turns lethargic fish into active water animals, hence turning the bite on.
3. Rain alters the temperature of the water
Depending on the temperature of rainwater, it can either warm or cool down a fishing water body. A small change in the water temperature can significantly alter the behavior of the fish.
During winter, a warm shower increases water’s temperature by a few degrees, which entices fish to bite.
The opposite happens during summer: a cold shower lowers the temperature and increases oxygen levels in the water, thereby increasing the possibility of fish to bite.
IS IT ADVISABLE TO GO FISHING WHEN IT’S RAINING?
It is definitely okay to go fishing when it is raining, provided the rain is not dangerously heavy or accompanied by lightning.
You should expect the same benefits as you would get when you go fishing after a downpour.
If anything, fishing during a downpour may be more beneficial than fishing after the rainfall. It is like eating fruits straight from the tree as soon as they are ripe.
The only time it would be wrong to go fishing when it is raining is if a passing cold front causes the rain. This would be dangerous and unfruitful, and honestly, you would be better off waiting for the rain to subside.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It is good to go fishing after rain because fish are more likely to bite then. This is because rain alters the water temperature, pressure, and oxygen levels, creating an optimum environment for fish to become more active.
Furthermore, rain causes an influx of bait from the banks into the water, making fish easy to spot and catch.