Thread: Highs and Lows

Well, a low pressure (low barometric pressure) system usually creates cloudy skies and, generally, the stronger the low front (like right before it snows and the clouds are really close to the ground) the better the fish feed. When the sky is dark (cloudy), I usually do better longlining or spider rigging because (I think) that a lot of fish are looser to the cover they're hanging on and school up in more open water, usually close to cover but not really in it. In the case of a high (barometric) pressure system, the stronger the system, the clearer the skies. The general feeling of most anglers is that fishing is poor during a high pressure but I find that during those strong high pressure systems, fish hold tighter to cover. I think that maybe they are looking for shade (?). Another words, they are going to be in the shade of a boat dock or in the brush piles, etc. In my opinion, they may not feed as well but they are much easier to find. A lot of the time when we are fishing, it's not during a high or a low system, but rather one or the other is moving in or out and I guess that some fish are doing one thing while other fish are doing something else. If it's one of those days where it's about half and half clouds and sun, I start with whatever technique I enjoy most. The fish will tell you pretty quickly if you techique is wrong. I always look at the sky and that gives me a starting point (cloudy=troll and clear=fish tight to cover). I hope something in this post helps. I'm not too smart and I may be way off on what I've written, but this is the way I fish and I have been very happy with my success (most of the time).Thumbs Up

Originally Posted by shadboy

Well, a low pressure (low barometric pressure) system usually creates cloudy skies and, generally, the stronger the low front (like right before it snows and the clouds are really close to the ground) the better the fish feed. When the sky is dark (cloudy), I usually do better longlining or spider rigging because (I think) that a lot of fish are looser to the cover they're hanging on and school up in more open water, usually close to cover but not really in it. In the case of a high (barometric) pressure system, the stronger the system, the clearer the skies. The general feeling of most anglers is that fishing is poor during a high pressure but I find that during those strong high pressure systems, fish hold tighter to cover. I think that maybe they are looking for shade (?). Another words, they are going to be in the shade of a boat dock or in the brush piles, etc. In my opinion, they may not feed as well but they are much easier to find. A lot of the time when we are fishing, it's not during a high or a low system, but rather one or the other is moving in or out and I guess that some fish are doing one thing while other fish are doing something else. If it's one of those days where it's about half and half clouds and sun, I start with whatever technique I enjoy most. The fish will tell you pretty quickly if you techique is wrong. I always look at the sky and that gives me a starting point (cloudy=troll and clear=fish tight to cover). I hope something in this post helps. I'm not too smart and I may be way off on what I've written, but this is the way I fish and I have been very happy with my success (most of the time).Thumbs Up

Well , I will add to this, On the front side of a high pressure is the toughest for me. after the high pressure is over us or on the back side of it, I do good. In front of a low pressure and darning a low right over us, I do good. once it passes , it seems tough for about 24 hours. Now the moon phase has something to do with it too, thats a whole another subject. I ain't too smart either.

I agree with both statements above. The very best time, for me, is in front of a low pressure system. Fish really seem to turn on. High pressure can be tough fishing. I usually fish right down into cover or shaded areas(docks, boats, brush,etc).

Thanks for your help. I will do my best to use it to catch a few more slabs. Tight lines and full limits to you all.

One of my best days was at High Rock about 5 years ago..I didn't look at the weather before I left home(VA)..I turned the radio on when I went through Winston Salem and the weatherman said there was a stationary low pressure over the area that was not moving..

I thought, OH NO, gonna be a bad day...........Just the opposite , one of the best I have had on High Rock.....Got a limit of quality fish in no time....

I haven't had much luck on HR lately...A couple of friends went to Swearing Creek yesterday and caught a lot but all but 1 were small..

Farmers almanac best fishing days! Usually dead on in it's guesses.