Thread: Barometer

Does anybody pay attention to the barometer when fishing or planning to fish? I'm a firm believer that the best time to go fishing is any time you can, but I do know that the barometer was high today, and the fish didn't bite much today according to the son in law. He did really well yesterday. Any thoughts?

After the front passed and clear they were slower here today too.:o

I have one fishing buddy who swears if the barometer is low or falling, fish won't bite, and another who swears if it is high, they won't bite. I don't know.

There are so many factors that contribute, and barometer is one of them, but certainly not the "one" thing that turns them off. cold fronts, temp, wind, lack of wind, bluebird skies, clouds, etc. I think you can get the fish to bite if you slow down a lot, & put it in their face, but you have to go slower. I fished yesterday, during a cold front, high winds & bluebird skies, and didn't catch many, but caught a mess of 10. Only had 5 crappie, but caught some green carp also. We caught a few dink crappie also, but it was just slow. Personally I think a cold front does more to them than anything. This causes temperature drops, and makes them scatter. I'm not a pro or a guide (except for my wife & kids), but that's my 2 cents.

The barometer, the fronts, and the winds are all tied in together. As a low pressure system pulls into the region, the pressure drops and the winds start to head up out of the SW. In my experience, this period is optimal spring time fishing. As the front passes, high pressure fills in behind it and the winds switch to the Northerly direction. The winds can be strong ahead or behind the front. Strong, warm SW winds can really heat up NE banks/coves in the spring time. These are the places to look for spawning fish.

Here is a barometer...Can get the general idea of the fishing at different pressures. I have found that falling 29 to 29.5 is optimal for me.

I seem to have better luck fishing a SW wind.

My theory is go when you can.:D But the old saying is close at times.
If the wind is outa the east they bite the least. Outa the south it falls in their mouth. Outa the west bite is the best. Outa the north don't venture forth. Here if it's out of the east and front passed ,bluebird skys can mean tough fishing.
But water levels (falling and rising) ,water temp, water color , Barometric pressure ,time of day or season , Sunlight or clouds all figure in the equation. There is no set rules in fishing . When you find a sure fire method of perdicting women , fish , or the weather then you should be a rich man.:D

Best days are when the barometer is either falling, rising or steady. Always go under these circumstances.

Originally Posted by Bullsprig

Best days are when the barometer is either falling, rising or steady. Always go under these circumstances.

And I can add my bit about blue bird skies as well. I have chronic sinus problems. When the barometer is high, I can feel the pressure in my ears. I also don't want to do much. Imagine how much pressure 1 inch of mercury can put on the surface of a body of water. Now imagine what that will do to anything in the water. I have seen nostrils on fish so I know thier sinuses must always be full since they live under water.
DP

It has been my experience that a slow fall or even a slow rise (preference on the slow fall) the fish are more active. High highs and low lows seem to lock'em up a bit.