Rainy weather is often to blame for the cancellation of plans. However, this does not apply to all activities. Given you live somewhere where the atmosphere is especially humid, then you are prone to many such situations.
If you have arranged for a fishing trip and it somehow ended up raining that day, don’t feel disheartened. Going fishing during a downpour can be extremely rewarding.
Humidity invites rain, which then washes minerals and nutrients from the ground into the water’s surface.
Since the water is filled with lots of goodies and the cloudy weather blocks out the sun, the fish are more likely to come out to play. This also works in your favor, because you’ll be able to get some awesome catches.
Never fished in the rain before? Here are some tips and tricks to get you started.
Preparing for a Rainy Fishing Trip
You might be an experienced fisherman but still, struggle to cope with fishing in the rain. Unlike your typical sunny afternoon, you need to be a little more meticulous with your planning during this sort of weather.
Waterproofing Spray
Let’s face it, having waterproof equipment on standby isn’t always possible. In such circumstances, using waterproofing sprays to protect your equipment and clothes from getting drenched can be a good idea. You could have some metal gear on hand, which might rust if left out in the weather for too long.
Appropriate Shoes
I’m sure we are all too familiar with puddles and muddy terrains after a few hours of rain. If you originally wanted to go out with your favourite pair of flip-flops or hiking boots, then you should probably rethink your decision.
A good pair of boots will surely change your entire fishing experience, especially when the ground is wet and soft. You need something that will keep you from slipping or tripping when pulling out or organizing your fish. If you don’t have waterproof boots, then your regular rain boots will do, provided you thoroughly spray them down with your waterproof spray.
Waterproof Trousers
Trousers meant specifically for fishing are usually waterproof and will prove to be very effective in rainy weather. If your clothes end up soaking up too much water, you will ultimately start to get heavier. You even run the risk of weighing down your boat.
Waterproof trousers can be quite expensive, but if you think about it, the investment is worth it; if you live in humid areas (for example, Florida) which are prone to regular rainfall, then you’ll be fishing in the rain a lot. When buying trousers, look for ones with good material. Preferably, you should opt for GORE-TEX, which is a fairly popular choice of material used to make waterproof clothing.
Waterproof Jackets or Rain Coats
You probably saw this coming, given that I’ve already talked about waterproof gear. Long story short, your entire getup needs to be hydrophobic (made of water-repelling fabric or material). When you’re out in the rain, your body is exposed to it; no matter what kind of season it is, you will wind up catching a cold if you remain soaked for too long. Let’s not even talk about this happening during the colder parts of the year.
There are two things you can consider when buying your raincoat or jacket. Firstly, you can opt for traditional and more affordable PVC jackets. These have been used for years, and are without a doubt very reliable. However, they aren’t the most breathable or comfortable to wear. Therefore, you might feel more inclined to try the second option, which is buying jackets that are made of more breathable waterproof materials. Although these can be more expensive, they do seem to be more useful in the long run. However, if you are on a budget and rain fishing is a one-time thing, then I suggest you stick to the PVC option.
Fishing Gloves
Lastly, you should carry a pair of waterproof fishing gloves. If you’ve ever taken a stroll during a storm then you know that your hands at some time are bound to get cold and numb. You wouldn’t want to run into that unfortunate situation when you’re fishing. Not only will the gloves keep you warm, but they will also prevent your gear from slipping out of your grip.
Again, if you can’t find fishing gloves, then you can spray a regular pair of heavy-duty gloves with waterproofing spray. It certainly won’t be as effective as the real thing, but it will serve its purpose.
How to Fish on a Rainy Day
Now that I’ve filled you in on all the appropriate gear and clothing for the occasion, let’s look at a few ways you can make the most out of your fishing experience—even when it’s raining heavily outside.
Start Before the Storm
Ideally, you should start fishing right before a storm’s about to start. Whenever there’s a storm brewing, the atmospheric pressure in the area drops. This triggers fish to go hunting for food toward the surface. Now, it’s not very easy to predict when a storm is coming, especially if you aren’t a person who is good at reading the surroundings. So what can you do to determine when there’s a storm on the way?
Firstly, pay close attention to the clouds. Seeing towering cumulus clouds or shelf clouds in the vicinity is a good indicator of a storm. Furthermore, if you notice that the clouds are moving a little faster than usual, then that too is a sign of a storm.
You should also feel a sudden and drastic drop in temperature a few hours or minutes before a storm. If all else fails, then keep your eyes on the weather forecast for the week.
Use Brightly Colored Bait
When rain crashes down onto a lake, it completely disrupts the surface of the water, making it somewhat difficult for the fish to see what’s above the water. In this case, if you use live bait or your regular bait, the fish will most likely not be able to see it. They need to be able to see it to come near it.
To fix that, consider using brightly colored lures or baits. They’ll stand out in murky water. There are many types of vibrant lures available, but people mostly like to use crankbaits. You can also consider buying baits that move in the water, instead of something that remains stationary.
Another thing to note while buying bait is that not all fish will be attracted to it. Some fishes are more likely to gravitate toward a certain color. For example, the bass is usually attracted to colors like green, red, chartreuse, or white.
Understand How Different Fish React to the Weather
Just like fish react differently to bait, they also tend to react differently to the weather. So there’s a chance that different fish will respond to the weather in their own way. Therefore, you have to keep in mind that you will most likely not find the fish you want on rainier days. Make sure you do thorough research on the type of fish you can catch in your nearest fishing location so that you don’t return empty-handed.
Use Topwater Bait
Remember when I mentioned moving bait earlier? Topwater bait is just that. They don’t move on their own, but they are used as movable bait. Topwater bait usually floats on the surface of the water. As I said earlier, rain tends to make the surface a lot cloudier than normal. If you don’t get a bite even after several minutes of waiting, you can simply tug on your fishing line and easily move the bait around. This will attract more fish.
Safety First!
Fishing in the rain is a great idea, mostly because the rain tends to generate a lot of ideal fishing conditions within a lake. Sometimes during summer, the oxygen level of the lake tends to drop significantly. This means that there’s less oxygen dissolved in the lake water. Rain helps elevate the levels of oxygen and that in turn makes fish more active.
However, we still cannot deny the risks involved with fishing in the rain. First of all, you cannot predict the wind. The wind can unexpectedly pick up, and you might not be prepared for that. It can easily cause your boat to tip over or just make your fishing time miserable.
Then you have to keep in mind that you will most likely be fishing near an open area. You wouldn’t want to get struck by lightning; lightning tends to fall on the tallest object around, which on a lake could easily be you or your fishing rod. The aftermath of that can be fatal, so be sure to double-check your weather app before leaving the house.
Lastly, staying in the rain for too long can sometimes lead to hypothermia. If you see that there will be heavy rainfall that day on the weather forecast, then perhaps it’s best to reschedule your fishing trip.
With that, I wish you the best of luck. Stay safe, and happy fishing!
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