Everyone knows that fishing in the rain can bring a good catch. However, fishing in this situation can be a challenge. Even experienced anglers prepare for it meticulously. Before giving final tips for fishing in the rain, you should know that different fish react differently to changes in weather conditions. That’s why it’s difficult to know in advance whether the fishing will be successful or not.
However, if you are well prepared, you can get a good catch in any weather! It means that good equipment, the right strategy, and appropriate bait determine the success of fishing.
Why Do Some Fish Bite Well in the Rain?
The keen fishermen know that it is possible to have a good hit on the water in rainy weather. With proper preparation, fishing can be better than in calm weather. First of all, the catch depends on how turbid the water is. The correct sign of an excellent bite is slightly discolored water that is not as transparent. But if the water is too murky, you can, unfortunately, forget about the catch.
Just before bad rainy weather, the fish start to bite particularly well. This is the result of the drop in atmospheric pressure. The fish gets very hungry and moves closer to the surface. It searches for food and is lured with artificial or natural bait. In the period before the rain, the bite is more active than in the rain and after.
Rain can change the weather conditions. You can notice the following changes:
- Increased oxygen concentration in the water, which is beneficial for anglers in the summer heat;
- Formation of waves, which ensures the food from the lower layers of the fish;
- Turbidity in the water can increase or decrease the intensity of the bite.
A good angler should look for profits even in bad weather conditions. Not all of his peers can choose to fish in the rain. That’s why you can just look for a place for rain fishing without competitors. It is recommended to choose special equipment and clothes for it.
The Effective Equipment for Rain Fishing
When it comes to non-permanent rain, the only way to be sure is by wearing appropriate clothing. You don’t need any special equipment and you can just fish without any problems. Fishing should be postponed when prolonged heavy rains are expected.
If the rain is of low intensity, it cannot negatively affect the success of fishing. However, every fisherman should take the following essentials with him:
- Waterproof clothing: This is a special coat or waterproof suit that is specially produced for fishing or hunting in adverse conditions.
- Rubber boots: When fishing in the rain, the angler can definitely step into the water.
- Spare clothing: A change of clothes and shoes is a must, even if you are adequately protected from the rain.
- Umbrella: There are special large umbrellas for fishing. They are fixed to the floor and leave your hands free.
- Thermal container with hot drink or soup: The angler should use it to prevent colds to be able to fish continuously.
This equipment is easily available in all fishing shops. Therefore, there is no problem in choosing them according to the appropriate size and good quality. If you plan to fish continuously for a few days, you should also purchase special fishing mats and tents. It is recommended to take a waterproof sleeping bag with you.
Important Factors in Successful Rain Fishing
If the water gets cloudy while fishing in the rain, it’s normal. If the turbidity of the water is low, then the bite will be better than in clear water. Excessive turbidity negatively affects the bite and anglers very often return without a catch.
Fishing location
The choice of fishing spot is important. A lot depends on how big and deep the body of water is. Small ponds and muddy streams, under the influence of rainwater, immediately become cloudy and can become transparent only after a few days. It would be better to choose a natural lake or a deep reservoir if the rainy weather is forecast.
Air Temperature and Wind
The strong wind when fishing in the rain is also a negative factor. It is impossible to make firm casts, fish do not like to feed on the water’s surface. Nevertheless, you can try bottom fishing.
The wind direction and the temperature of the rain are important factors when fishing. Experienced fishermen say that a south or west wind and warm rain can bring a perfect bite and favorable fishing. In such weather, the fish are more active. You can catch both perch and pike.
When the temperature drops and the east and north winds blow, the fish goes down where it feels more stable and warmer. The angler should make a correct conclusion. If the weather is too windy and the rain is cold and heavy, you cannot achieve success in fishing.
Some Important Peculiarities of Rain Fishing
When fishing in the rain, the number of false bites is low. It is already known that fish are active and mobile. They grab any bait they see and try to swallow it whole. The large specimens of pike and bream are caught. A particularly active bite can be observed at the inflow of water. Wave height also plays an important role when fishing in the rain. If the waves are too big, it is difficult for fish in the depths to attack the bait, so the bite loses intensity.
The pros say it’s better to fish in warm weather. Dusty rain and light wind create the best conditions. In the fall, in cold weather, the carp bury themselves in warm mud, but the pikes and perches on the contrary begin their hunt. Fish in the rain requires fast and aggressive bait handling. It is provoked by noise in the environment and limited visibility. Since the fish show excellent activity on the surface, it is necessary to raise the bait to the upper layer of the water.
Experienced fishermen also noticed that if it was very hot outside before the rain, the fish started biting with the first raindrops. Due to the oxygen enrichment and lowering of the water temperature in the body of water, the fish bite more actively. Throwing the bait far and deep is not recommended. Because the fish that live on the bottom rise higher in rainy weather. Therefore, it is recommended to focus on fishing in the upper water layer.
The Choice of Rods and Lures for Rain Fishing
When chasing a predator, it is worth using noisy and brighter lures during the rain. The acoustic blinkers and other brightly colored rubber fish are suitable for this. In bad weather, the purity of the water deteriorates, and the fish may simply not notice the bait in the water. Of course, the choice of bait depends on the fish you want to catch. Nevertheless, one should prefer the colorful and bright variants.
Since fish are active and hungry in rainy weather, natural bait can be used to catch predators. With this, you can get better bites and catches. This allows you to achieve an even and graduated bait guidance.
The choice of rods, lines and reels depends on the fish you are fishing for. However, you should also take into account the weather conditions when it rains. Fishing from the shore cannot be perspective, especially when there are high waves. The situation can be further complicated and it is difficult to make a good throw in strong headwinds or crosswinds. The pose becomes too agile and the angler gets the wrong bite signals.
These facts show that passive spinning from the bank can only be effective if it is ensured at the appropriate distance when casting. In such conditions, bottom fishing and the appropriate equipment – feeder rods and bottom rods of all varieties – are optimal. Passive fishing at a distance of 20 to 30 m meets the angler’s expectations.
Conclusion
Any type of fishing is limited by the weather. It doesn’t mean that fishing in rainy weather is impossible. All anglers who prefer it will achieve the best results with the right choice of equipment and fishing strategy.
Don’t forget that a correctly chosen fishing spot and bait play an important role. You can orientate yourself on the species of fish and type of water. It is recommended to implement different bait guidance to choose the right one. In rainy weather, predatory fish and non-predatory fish behave differently. However, almost all of them are becoming more active and ready to hunt.
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