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Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:23 pm
by Sully
I am new to Bassin' and am wondering if they will bite on cloudy overcast or even rainy days?
If they will bite what would you guys suggest to try on them?
Thanks for the help!
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:38 pm
by kzoo
I personally like Spinnerbaits during bad weather. Plastics work well, I switch to a darker color.
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:39 pm
by Sully
Thanks for the reply, I am obviously thinking about going out tomorrow AM and was wondering if it was worth the effort.
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:50 pm
by fishnislife
Hope this helps Sully.
Here is a couple of RULES of THUMB put together by Richie White:
Throw topwaters only when the water is at least 60 degrees and the sun is not visible or bass are schooling
Wait 2 seconds before setting the hook with a topwater
Fish shallow early and late and on cloudy days - fish deeper on bluebird days
Fish tight to cover on sunny days - cover more water on cloudy days
Throw single hook lures around heavy wood cover - throw treble hook lures whenever you can get away with it.
Use a medium to light rod when fishing with treble hooks - use a stiffer rod for single hooks (worms, jigs, spinnerbaits)
Use dark colors at night
Use brighter colors in murky water and on dark, cloudy days
Use colors that don't stand out in clear water and sunny skies
Use bigger and noisier baits in murky water
Work a bait faster in clear water
Use unweighted baits only in calm, shallow water
Use heavier baits in the wind, deep water, or strong current
Big baits catch big fish, small baits catch more fish
Match the size of the bait that the fish are feeding on
Use 20# or heavier line for fishing jigs and worms where big fish are present - use lighter lines for all other purposes
Work a crankbait in about 1/2 the depth the bait is designed to run.
The lighter the bait, the more line you should leave out when casting.
The percent of how full you fill your baitcasting reel is about equivalent to the percentage of your maximum casting distance. For instance, if you fill your spool 100%, your maximum casting distance is 100%. If you fill it 80%, you can only expect to throw it 80% of its' potential. Likewise, if you fill it 50% full, you can likely throw it to the end, which is about half the distance you could get if it was full.
Bass prefer long and skinny over short and fat - they prefer snakes over turtles
Rising water is better than dropping water
West wind is better than an east wind
Cold fronts will shut the bite down when the water is cold
You can't catch em if you don't go!
Following these rules of thumb may help you to become more consistent in your bass fishing. There are exceptions to every rule, especially in bass fishing. There are also times when you need to disobey the rules.
Good luck brutha.
fishnislife
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:54 pm
by fishnislife
Sully wrote:Thanks for the reply, I am obviously thinking about going out tomorrow AM and was wondering if it was worth the effort.
It is always worth the effort. Nothing can be more educational than time on the water.
Never hesitate to get out on the water even if you think you won't catch a thing. You just never know.
fishnislife
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:55 pm
by Sully
cool info, thanks!
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 7:01 pm
by noclothes1
good rules of thumb. thank you. i have been bashing my head after serveral skunko's.
Thank you
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:48 pm
by Nik
Sometimes it helps to go out with the mindset that you are practicing techniques, not catching fish. You won't get discouraged nearly as easy, and chances are while you are "practicing" you will catch some bass. I go out in the morning thinking, "today I am going to work on my topwater technique, then when the sun comes up I'm going to practice my retrieves on weightless plastics, then I'll switch to jigs and practice pitching to cover." You'll find that you'll pay more attention to detail, have more fun even if you're not catching fish, and you'll come off the lake feeling like you really learned something and gained some skill. Also, if you stick with the practice mindset, you won't go into the all too familiar panic mode and spend the whole day switching baits, which is probably the number one mistake of beginning bass fisherman.
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:17 am
by kickerfish
Totally agree with practicing, especially on a new body of water. Casting practice will by far make you a better fisherman. Also if you have graphics try to learn how to recognize ledges, road beds, slight contour changes. Fish stage on them and you would never know they were there. Fishing cover close to shore is fairly simple, when you can find and catch fish off shore you are doing well. As far as catching fish in bad weather, if there is wind, always use spinner bait/crank bait. Fishing plastics with a 5-10 mile an hour wind is tricky, therefore stick with reaction bites lures.
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:24 pm
by fishnislife
Nik wrote:Sometimes it helps to go out with the mindset that you are practicing techniques, not catching fish. You won't get discouraged nearly as easy, and chances are while you are "practicing" you will catch some bass. I go out in the morning thinking, "today I am going to work on my topwater technique, then when the sun comes up I'm going to practice my retrieves on weightless plastics, then I'll switch to jigs and practice pitching to cover." You'll find that you'll pay more attention to detail, have more fun even if you're not catching fish, and you'll come off the lake feeling like you really learned something and gained some skill. Also, if you stick with the practice mindset, you won't go into the all too familiar panic mode and spend the whole day switching baits, which is probably the number one mistake of beginning bass fisherman.
Well said Nik. Those are some good words to fish by and a great idea for those who are easily frustrated.
fishnislife
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:45 pm
by A9
I caught a few today in some unstable fishing conditions...Changing weather/barometric pressure....
About every fish I got today I did not catch on the first cast to the area...In fact, it was often the 2nd or 3rd cast to an area....Got one of a buzzbait, and 4 more off a 6" zoom (watermelon black flake) lizard...
RE:Bad Weather Bass?
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:46 pm
by A9
In regards to that last post, slow down your fishing and work an area pretty thoroughly before going off to a new area...