Do fish bite in the rain?
Fish do bite when it rains, but their activity is usually lower when it rains. Rainwater both oxygenates and discolors the water, two very positive aspects when fishing, but the fish seem to take time to adjust to the sudden change.
In this blog post, we’ll explore these questions and offer some helpful advice on fishing in a downpour.
Table of Contents
Can You Catch Fish When It Rains?
Rainwater is vital to our water systems and the fish that inhabit them. It makes the river flow, oxygenates the water in the summer heat, can flush food (worms, insects, etc.) into the water, and makes the water cloudy and dark.
Darker water means less light can penetrate it, and it gets dimmer, which often leads to increased predator and prey fish activity.
Overall, rain is good news for fishermen, but there is a catch! It takes time for fish to adapt to the changes brought about by the rain. So fishing tends to be pretty bad when it’s raining!
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, but most fishermen will tell you they almost never fish when it’s pouring rain.
This is because rain can reverse the rhythm of fish activity. Rainfall can have severe impacts on the aquatic environment, often resulting in:
- Rapid changes in salinity (in the ocean)
- Rapid changes in turbidity (turbidity of water)
- Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Levels
- As well as mechanical challenges due to increased water velocity
All of these factors alter the standard behavioral patterns of fish, the most drastic of which is of course feeding behavior.
So if the fish reversed their normal activities of swimming around and foraging, then the logical conclusion would be that they became relatively inactive and wouldn’t bite as much when it rained.
Do Fish Usually Bite After Rain?
Rain is a great opportunity to go out fishing! The increased oxygen levels in the water also make it easier for you to accept. If fish feel more active, they are more likely to bite.
If your favorite spots have been dry lately, then this might be all they need – some good old-fashioned moisture will rejuvenate them, so don’t give up on those spots just yet!
Do Fish Bite Better Before It Rains?
The closer the rain or torrential rain comes, the worse the fishing. This is related to changes in air pressure, air temperature, and increases in the wind.
The weather is becoming more and more erratic, so the conditions for the fish are becoming less and less favorable, especially as it gets colder and windier.
Just like you want to go home and quit fishing before it rains, the fish seem to suddenly stop eating and “seek shelter” through inactivity.
However, if a severe weather front is slowly approaching, or is changing direction and is only passing through your area, you should continue fishing entirely. In this case, the weather has much less of an effect on the fish’s behavior, and they’re likely to keep feeding and biting.
In general, if you use your common sense and pay attention to how the weather develops, you will know when to stay and when to quit.
Do Fish Bite Better After It Has Rained?
When the rain stops and the weather starts to settle down again, you’ll want to go ashore! Fishing after the rain is amazing.
As a bonus, you and your gear can stay dry. Wet clothes, shoes, and gear can be difficult to dry while fishing.
Once the rain stops, you don’t want to focus on drying your things or freezing while you do. Instead, focus on fishing!
Similar to a steady decrease in activity before the rain, fish activity increases after the rain!
Now, the situation has suddenly reversed; the wind is gone, the weather has warmed, the air pressure has stabilized again, and most importantly, the oxygen in the water has increased.
In summer, when the water temperature is very high and the oxygen content is very low, the increase of the oxygen content in the water is especially beneficial.
The fish get a substantial boost from the cold and fresh rain, and after a good bath, the fish will start eating like crazy.
Why Do Fish Bite More When It Rains?
Anglers tend to think that fish bite when it rains. They can’t taste the difference between the bait you use and the rain or the storm.
When it rains, runoff can carry a variety of food from worms and other reptiles into the river. The increased flow also churned small aquatic organisms out of their habitats, which often sent fish into a foraging frenzy!
Is It Safe To Fish After Rain?
Your safety is paramount when fishing after the rain. If the weather just turned bad, it’s better to go back. Do not make any sudden movements and alert the fish to your presence.
If you do startle them, they’ll all be gone in an instant! Try to be as quiet as possible to make sure you don’t scare the fish away.
If you do catch a fish, take care of it as soon as possible to avoid further scaring the rest of the school.
How Should You Fish After Rain?
Since the fish are more active now, you can catch them more easily. Usually, they’re not as picky as they are in other cases.
The water is darker now, which means bigger fish can move more freely because they tend to be less startled and find more food.
Increased oxygen levels also mean the fish will be hungrier, so don’t stop foraging and pre-bait when fishing for tuna or shark in salt water, or for carp or catfish in freshwater.
Because of the cooler water temperatures near the lake in summer, predators like bass, pike, or grouper will be there to hunt! Try using surface baits (like poppers and jerk bait) to catch them.
What To Bring When Fishing After Rain?
When fishing in the rain, you will need to carry some basic fishing gear with you:
- A hat
When it rains, the hat stops the raindrops from running into your eyes, giving you something to wipe away your tears. Fishing after the rain is more fun if you can see what you’re doing, so hats are a standout must-have.
- A good umbrella
Yes, some people like to use an umbrella when it rains. They’ll keep you dry, but if you’re on the water, make sure you don’t leave them open, as these types of umbrellas tend to tip over.
- Apply good quality lotion
You might think it’s a little silly to carry lotion with you, but there’s no reason not to. When you go fishing for the first time after the rain, you will notice how wet and cold your skin feels.
Rubbing lotion on your skin after it rains is just one way to prevent getting sick after fishing.
- A warm jacket
Rain tends to be cooler than usual, so you’ll need clothing that will help keep you warm.
- Tacklebox
Your gear gearbox is an important part of fishing after the rain because it’s where you keep all your different lures and other materials.
You should have a good plan so you can find what you need when it’s pouring rain!
Conclusion
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question “do fish bite after the rain”, it seems that the best time to fish in the rain may vary depending on the type of fishing you’re going to and where you’re going. There are various factors to consider when deciding whether to go out fishing, including time of year, weather conditions, and personal preferences. At the end of the day, the best way to decide if fishing after heavy rain is right for you is to try it out there!
