Fishing is one of the longest living pastimes in human history. Not only is it a great and relaxing way to while away the hours, but it’s also a great way to catch some delicious food, or a great way to create competition, to see who can catch the biggest fish.
However, as with just about any sport or pastime, there are optimal conditions that enthusiasts prefer to engage within.
For example, golf enthusiasts would much prefer to play the sport in more sunny and warm weather conditions, rather than stepping out onto the green in rainy and windy conditions. This applies just as much to fishing.
But surely fishing would be easier in the rain right? If there’s more water, surely the fish will be more likely to bite… Unfortunately, it is a little more complex than that, so we’re here to investigate this today.
Are you looking forward to getting some fishing done today, but checked outside and found that it’s pouring down with rain?
Don’t worry, let’s find out whether you can still make that prize catch even under these suboptimal conditions. Let’s answer the age-old question: Do fish bite in the rain?
Do Fish Bite In The Rain?
There is a long-held belief that fishing in the rain yields far more productive fishing and that more fish are likely to bite when it rains. It is unclear just when this rumor first started, but it has circulated for many years, hence why many of us continue to believe it to this very day.
However, fishing in the rain is not always any better, and you aren’t guaranteed to find yourself catching more fish.
In fact, while most fish species won’t outright stop biting during rainfall, you will likely find that you catch slightly less fish while it is raining. This is due to the different effects that rain has on bodies of water where fish reside.
Whenever rain falls into a body of water, such as a lake or a river, the temperature of that body of water will change slightly. There will also be slightly more oxygen, as the rain will oxygenate the water, this causes very sudden changes to the oxygen levels.
Because of these rather sudden changes to the condition of the water, often, most fish species will have to allow themselves to adjust to suit them.
This is why you often won’t see them during rainfall. Instead, you might actually be more likely to see them just after rainfall!
Do Fish Bite Before The Rain Falls?
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You might have noticed that slightly strange sense of pressure that seems to build up when it is set to rain. It is difficult to describe, but it is a strange sense of knowing.
This is because the air pressure is changing! When the air pressure changes, you can literally feel it with your body, because it is weighing you down just slightly.
This change in air pressure, before and during rain, is very bad for fishing. If you were to hit the waters just before a storm or a bout of rain, you would receive far fewer bites, because the fish are instead choosing to wait for the change in weather to pass, rather than feeding, which is what would ordinarily cause them to bite.
Air pressure can easily change the temperature of the water, which also dissuades fish from congregating at a usual feeding spot. Warmer waters could quickly become much colder thanks to cold rain and lower air pressure.
Luckily, low air pressure usually does not hang about and will pass within a short amount of time, so you won’t have to wait around too long after it does stop raining.
And, you’re also in luck, as fish love to feed just after the rain has passed!
Do Fish Bite After The Rain Has Fallen?
Yes! If you decided to wait for the rain to pass before heading out onto the water, you’ve definitely made the right choice! You’ll see an incredible uptick in successful bites and catches.
This is because, just after the rain has fallen, the air pressure begins to return to its normal state, and thus there is significantly reduced wind, and the water will begin to return to its normal and slightly warmer temperature.
The sudden return to optimal conditions is very attractive to the fish, who then decide that they are ready for an after-rain snack.
You will likely find that fish begin congregating in much larger numbers at feeding spots, which gives you a much wider selection of fish to choose from, and much higher odds of catching some. There will also likely be a larger amount of fish activity, as they will be more active and mobile.
As well as this, fishing just after the rain is also much nicer for you. You won’t have to sit around trying your best to stay warm while all of the fish actively avoid your lure.
The higher air pressure means that the atmosphere is much warmer, so you can fish in comfort, without having to constantly dry your fishing rods and other equipment!
How Do You Fish During Rain?
Found that the rain suddenly fell mostly without warning while you were already out on the water? If you’re dead set on staying out in the rain and continuing, there are a few things you can try to do to improve your odds and to improve your comfort.
First, if you are expecting there to be rain at any point in your fishing adventure, make sure to bring along plenty of comfortable, warm, and waterproof clothing, so that you can remain comfortable in the suboptimal conditions while still catching fish.
Rain also causes the waters that you are fishing in to change color slightly and creates rather muddy water that is murky. This is because of the content within the droplets of rain that then disperses in the water.
The more murky nature of the water will make it much harder for fish to spot your lure, which will decrease your odds of making a special catch.
To improve your chances, make sure to use lures and bait that have interesting movement patterns, and that have bright and shiny designs, to attract the attention of fish.
To Conclude
While fishing during heavy rainfall is definitely possible, and can still yield great results, you are far more likely to make a substantial catch if you simply wait for the rain to pass.
The effects on the atmosphere, and the air pressure during rainfall will cause fish to hide away, and the water itself will become murky, which makes it very difficult to attract their attention to catch a bite.
As well as this, fishing in the rain is also just very uncomfortable and miserable for you, so why not wait it out?
And you might as well wait it out, as, after the rain has passed, fish often become far more ravenous, and are much more likely to bite. You’ll also see far more of them as the water temperature changes!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Triggers A Fish To Bite?
Fish generally tend to bite either because they are incredibly hungry, which is usually referred to as a feeding frenzy, and you have just presented them with a sizable chunk of food, or because they perceive you to be a threat!
When your lure first touches the water, the fish may quickly disperse, but then head to attack your lure, believing that it is encroaching on their territory.
Is It Good To Fish In The Rain For Bass?
Yes. Many fish can still be attracted to your lure during the night. However, you should generally aim to catch fish that don’t depend on sight, during the night, as the darker conditions will make it much harder for certain fish to see your lure.
Do Fish Bite At Night?
Yes. Many fish can still be attracted to your lure during the night. However, you should generally aim to catch fish that don’t depend on sight, during the night, as the darker conditions will make it much harder for certain fish to see your lure.
