Big Whiskers® Farm

Light rain is good for fishing, as the rain helps you hide from the fish. It also washes bait and other insects into the water. Fish feed a lot more in such conditions. On the other hand, very heavy rain is not good for fishing. This is because fish will find it increasingly difficult to see the bait. The water's current can affect them, too, making them move very slowly. The water can also get muddy during a heavy rain. Generally, for fishing and your own safety, it's best to avoid fishing in heavy rain.

When barometer pressure changes, fish become more active. So, using faster fishing techniques will serve you well during this time. But if barometric pressure becomes too high or too low, fish will be less active. And they tend to find cover by swimming into deeper water if the barometric pressure fluctuates too much. If you notice this, you can use slower fishing techniques like vertical jigging. 

 Wind speed and direction are critical, as they have a great impact on your fishing. There is an old proverb that states, "Wind from the West, fish bite the best. Wind from the East, fish bite the least. Wind from the North, do not go forth. Wind from the South blows bait in their mouth." The saying is mostly true. The wind can stir up the food chain and provide more cover from the sun due to the action of waves. So, it is better you fish in a position where your bait moves with the wind -- just like other food in the lake.
 

On hot, sunny days, fish move to deeper-and-cooler water to avoid the hot temperature. You can use deep fishing lures or bait if you notice this. Early morning and late afternoon are great periods, too, as the fish will move to the shallows to feed. In general, fish prefer the evening and early morning sun, and avoid the hot midday sun.

Very high or very low temperature limits the movement of fish. This is because the extreme temperature can affect the food chain as well as the amount of oxygen available for fish. It will also affect their body temperature because fish are cold-blooded animals that can't maintain a constant body temperature like warm-blooded animals.

Cloudy days are pleasant for fishing. The heavy clouds prevent light from penetrating the water. The fish will feed more actively during this period than on bright days. The fish won't aggregate at one spot during cloudy days; instead, they will spread all over the water. But if the moon is not cooperating then it can nullify everything. 

Sudden weather change is bad for fishing. Fish do not like weather that fluctuates rapidly. Consistent weather is better for fishing.

Before going fishing, take note of the pressure, temperature, sunlight, rainfall, wind and other weather conditions. Avoid extreme conditions and be sure to protect yourself from any possible weather hazards. The more you learn how to read the weather, the more you will enjoy fishing.

Water temperature can either positively or negatively impact the quality of fishing because it affects the fish's willingness to feed. Fish are cold blooded creatures and unable to regulate their body temperature meaning the colder the water the slower the fish's metabolism is and the more torpid they are. A slow metabolism makes fish less inclined to feed as they require fewer calories to maintain their slower bodily functions. In contrast, the warmer the water is the faster a fish's metabolism rate and the more active they are. In warm water fish are more inclined to feed as their metabolism and energy requirements are significantly higher.

Turbidity (aka water clarity) is a measure of the amount of particles suspended in the water and its affect on the depth to which light can penetrate the water. Clear water is said to have low turbidity because light can easily penetrate the water, while muddy water is said to have high turbidity because light is blocked from penetrating the water by the suspended particles. Because fish are primarily sight feeders the turbidity level of the water can significantly affect the quality of fishing and rain and wind can also affect the turbidity of bodies of water.