Weather/front question

I've been trying to learn fronts and such..ugh. Last weekend I don't think anybody in the SW Va. area caught much of anything it sounds like from my reading various fishing sites. We couldn't even find the dern fish Saturday or Sunday, except in one small area and they weren't biting anything/anyway/anyhow. We had a bad and very sudden cold front come through on the Tuesday before. Shoulda been long enough after by the weekend to catch something but...the 2 weeks before that were great.

So. This brings me to this weekend and wondering if we're going to have another miserable weekend. (Sure can't wait until we can retire and can go when the going is good!) I'm thinking it won't be a good weekend because of this front now/today. It isn't near as bad as the one last week, but from same direction, etc. Wondering what you experts who've studied this stuff for years think, if you're bored and feel like posting. :)

An interesting thing, my brother told me when there are skimpy, stratus clouds I might as well stay home, and so far he's been right. Doesn't mean I won't quit trying to prove him wrong.
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If I was a fish and two or three weeks overdue I'd be ready to drop those eggs regardless of the weather. LOL

I do like some big puffy scattered clouds to fish under. That always seems to keep the fish in a positive feeding mood. When there are no clouds in the sky. I fish really tight to cover or shoot docks.

Well now if you read the late great Buck Perry, it goes something like this. Best before the front, after the front bad news, next day or blue bird sky stay home, second day much improvement, third day white puffy clouds fish on. I know some others can jump in here and fill in the blanks better. Been a while since I read the first four books. A pressure change sends them deep and in a neg. mood. The clear sky lets to much light down. But I am a planing to venture out on Saturday for a few hours. Just got to as I haven't been out since March. I hope this helps and I hope I got it right. If not I know some of the fellers will point us in the right direction. (Or I will read Buck again)

Like me, you have to go when you can. So go and enjoy. Try your normal stuff. If it doesn't work. Go crazy. If your using minnows, and they ain't working. Fish 6 inches deep and then try right on the bottom. Or kill the minnow, hook it thru the back and let is set there motionless. Go fish the dirty water. Let tomorrow that brown water will be warmer then any clear water. You might find them in the mud, less then 2' of water. Let the minnow wiggle. If you are fishing jigs, tie on the darkest one you have. I love a Bobby Garland stroller because the tail thumps so hard, it really calls attention to it. Throw a road runner. The weather is going to be nice, go fish. Try something crazy. You just might be surprized. Good luck.

Like most of us we only get to fish when were not working, I try to fish anyway. Finding the fish makes it fun when most are getting skunked. I would use those days to learn the lake . Try different sections of the lake. Someone always finds some fish. I worry more about the wind than a cold front. Keep trying!!!!!

I've had some good days and some bad days during those weather changes. I never let a front or a full moon stop me from fishing and I have had banner days during each. I just say fish when you can and forget about all the negative weather reports. Any day on the water is great, we only have so many in our lives. It's not all about catching fish.Have a good day and GO FISHING, ENJOY THE TIME YOU HAVE.

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fronts at time can be hard but the fish can still be caught,i use jigs and think they are better on cold fronts,you will have to hold it in front of them more,and they will get tight to cover or suspend in open water,time of year and strength of front will also play a part in it,but as already said some will be bitting,but even on great days some will not be bitting. I like a little jig when it gets hard to catch,like 1 inch or less but then others do well with larger ones,like said keep trying and do something different till something works,this is learning time,use it the best you can,i also seen when its hard fishing and not bitting that I could get a few big ones on those days,i think that is because you would put bait in front of them and annoy them more on those days.also if water is getting muddy I do not like it and look for different water but if it is muddy and starting to clear but still muddy I think that's ok,again like vic said fishing is for enjoyment so if you can enjoy that day ,go for it

ive found the same true after a front or when the fishing gets tuff I go to only 1/32 oz jigs- when nothing wants to bite put a 1/32 oz pink head w/ white body & marabou tail out there - its my go to when don't wana get skunked choice- unless waters red muddy then I want 1/32 oz all black w/ marabou tail - & the bigger the tail the better- ill dump a whole pack of jigs in the tackle box looking for the best marabou tail when times get tuff

you fishing Buggs? if so I gat a hunch tomorrows gona be a good day- just feels right- course maybe wishful thinking cause im going tomorrow

You cannot always pick your days especially when work gets in the way. On the days you get the opportunity to fish as most have said go regardless of weather. About the only thing that keeps me home is lightening or extreme weather. Some of my best days it seems I had the lake to myself. If you look hard enough and try different methods there are usually some fish somewhere willing to bite. On slow days you can learn a lot about a certain piece of water. If you like structure fishing like myself then spend extra time looking and exploring new brush, docks, rocks, laydowns etc. The weatherman is not always right and things can change in your favor while out on the water. This happens a lot. If you have all day sometimes it takes a while to figure where they are and what they want. I have finished many days with a strong bite late in the day after much searching. Your reward in catching is much greater on tough days and there is always something to learn. Be safe and enjoy. Hope to see you on the water. FB

I've fished crappie tournaments, bass tournaments, walleye, catfish and striper tournaments. Some one always finds some bitin fish. So I always keep fishing, knowing that the next cast or the next spot is gonna be the key. I tell my clients that on the bad days they gonna learn more than on the good days. Bein able to remember past times like ya facing today will turn out to be ya best asset under such conditions. Going out under all conditions will get ya this back-log of experience, in my experience! I won a small bass tournament back in Feb with a 5 1/2 lb bass. That was the only fish landed by 15 fishermen, fishin 8 hrs.

Thanks for all the feedback! We are learning, and trying everything we read. Have to work on my dock shooting still...hooked the pad of my thumb real good last weekend, not deep but all the way through and out about a quarter inch later. lol.


Slabmaster ii- no we fish Smith Mountain Lake because it's close. Went to Blackwater end Sat. And Hardy Road on Sunday. Caught a lot of fish Sunday but only 6 keepers. Didn't matter, it was a fabulous day to be out on the water!