Thread: Interesting Article - Barometric Pressure

In reading both articles on air pressure, unless I'm wrong they seem to suggest that low pressure will tend to make fish bite less and harder to catch. This goes against most of my experience with a falling barometer based on mainly when I primarily was fishing for bass, but I can't help but think it would apply to crappie. Particularly, right before or during a snow event,I've seen bass and stripers go into a feeding frenzy that defies the mind, both in shallow & deep water situations.One of the most memorable trips was on Darbonne in late December when my brother-in-law and I caught over 50 bass in little over 2 hours....all on top water baits just before a hail storm.....overall, I would agree with the articles, in that fish will sense a change long before it actually arrives. Most of the time I seem to have better luck about TWO DAYS BEFORE a major drop in atmospheric pressure.

I haven't really looked into the studies that have been done, but I've always figured fish have an instinctive drive to feed on a falling pressure due to the inclement weather that usually follows. On a small stream or pond the water may rise significantly and become muddy for a few days after a large storm, making it more difficult for the fish to feed as compared to normal conditions.

I don't think it has much of an affect on saltwater fish, as they are so closely associated with tidal movement. If anything the atmospheric pressure has associated conditions that change the environment for the fish (lighting, windblown shores, etc.).