By: Mepps.com Staff
If you’re not dressed for it, fishing in the rain can be a miserable experience. However, when you’re suited up in the proper gear, you can often be comfortable and enjoy exceptional fishing at the same time.
Die-hard fishermen know that a heavy shower at the right time can be just what the doctor ordered.
For instance, when the water is high and cold in the spring of the year, a cold rain doesn’t add to your fishing success and can dampen your whole outlook on fishing.
However, during the warm days of summer when the water level has dropped to normal or below, a steady rain is your signal to cancel appointments and grab your fishing rod. Another good time is right after a real downpour.
Successful Rainy River Fishing
Run-off from a heavy rain carries all kinds of food in the form of worms and other crawling critters into a river. The increase in river flow also stirs small aquatic creatures from their living places. These circumstances often put fish into a feeding frenzy. As the water becomes murky and in many cases cools off, larger fish seem to move more freely about a river.
When this happens, get fishing as soon as possible and use larger spinners than you normally would. Whether you’re fishing trout, smallmouth or walleyes in a river, it’ll amaze you to find they’ll hit a much larger spinner than usual. A larger spinner also allows you to get down deeper and’s more visible to fish.
Successful Rainy Lake Fishing
Rainy weather also creates desirable conditions for lake fishing. Many species of fish are more active under dark conditions, than in bright sunlight. Particularly in clear water lakes.
Often, during hot summer months, the amount of dissolved oxygen in a lake becomes low, making fish inactive. Rain will aerate the surface water and often has a cooling effect, both of which can activate fish. Disturbing the surface of a lake also impairs the ability of a fish to see you.
Fish Smart
We certainly don’t advocate fishing in a thunder and lightning storm, but the next time you see a steady rain, dress for it, turn on your enthusiasm and go after ‘em. You’ll be glad you did.
