February 18th 2008

Barometer in fishing forecasts:

Familiarity with atmospheric pressure is essential in the understanding of weather because the pressure distribution in the atmosphere controls the winds and to a considerable extent, it affects the occurrence of clouds and rain.  I know, anglers want to know how the barometer affects the fish biting. The barometer affects when fish, animals and humans even, feed more.

 Humans are used to eating at certain, regular times of the day and evening so you won’t recognize the times when this happens as much but you may recall times when you just can’t get full. You feel more hungry than normal or you may not feel as hungry at your regular mealtime. The barometer is at play during these times. We just don’t notice it as much because of our ‘regular’, by the clock meal times.

Now, depending on all things normal, a rising barometer is when fishing is at it’s best. A rapidly fluctuating barometer, (pressure going up and down within a few hours) is an indication of good fishing also. A static barometer, (when the barometer is steady for hours at a time) the fishing is usually poor. When the barometer is falling the fishing is usually good for the first part, (like the start of fluctuating pressure) but if it continues to fall for several hours then it gets slower and slower and if the barometer is unusually low then it’s very poor fishing. This time of the year though, the cold water temperatures can make the difference between fish biting or not. When the water temperatures drop suddenly then it stuns the fish as they are submerged and are the same temperature as the water. It will need to even out for a few days after a sudden drop to allow the fish to get used to the new temperature.

My dad used to say if the cows are lying down in the pasture then it’s not a good time to go fishing because the animals are not feeding but if they’re standing up and eating then it’s time to go!

The words “Fair-Change-Rain” on most barometers are mainly decorative. It depends on the pressure AND the temperatures as to what’s in the forecast. It is generally true that a rapidly falling barometer forecasts the development of strong winds. This is so because a falling barometer indicates the approach of a low and the pressure gradient is usually steep in the area of a low-pressure center. On the other hand, a rising barometer is associated with the prospect of lighter winds to come. This is true because a rising barometer indicates the approach or development of a high and the pressure gradient is characteristically less steep in the area of a high-pressure center. The barometer does not necessarily fall before or during a strong breeze. The wind often blows hard without any large change in the barometer. This means that a steep pressure gradient exists but that the well-developed high or low associated with the steep pressure is practically stationary. In this case, the wind may be expected to blow hard for some time. Any slackening or change will take place gradually.

A general rule is, with your back to the wind the low pressure is to your left. The use of this rule has helped many sailors to head for calmer seas.

Other barometer rules are:

• Foul weather is usually forecast by a falling barometer with winds from the east.
• Clearing and fair weather is usually forecast by winds shifting the west and a rising barometer.
• When the wind sets in from the points between the south and southeast and the barometer falls steadily, a storm is approaching from the west or northwest and it’s center will pass north or your area within 12 to 24 hours and then the wind will veer to the northwest by way of the south and then southwest.
• When the winds sets in from the east and northeast and the barometer starts to fall steadily then a storm is approaching from the south or southwest and will pass in your area within 12 to 24 hours and then the wind will back to the northwest by way of the north.
• How fast the storm’s approach and its likely intensity will be indicated by the rate and the amount of fall in the barometer.
• A falling barometer and a rising temperature often forecasts rain.
• Barometer and thermometer rising together often forecasts fine weather.
• A slowly rising barometer forecasts settled weather.
• A steady-slow falling of pressure indicates forthcoming unsettled or wet weather.

All this may seem unimportant to fishing but then fish are used to feeding in certain conditions and when those conditions are optimal the feed is better. Lower winds allow natural baits to swim closer to the surface, like grass shrimp or mullet, and the fish can locate their meals better when they can see them easier. When they can find them easier then they want to feed as much as possible before the baits become hard to find again. When the pressure begins to change, the fish can feel the change and they feed while the getting is good. When fish feel the pressure is changing, the winds begin to blow, the rains come, the water gets cloudier and the natural baits are harder to find. Nature takes care of this intuition to help them survive. The barometer or atmospheric pressure is Nature’s way of letting animals know that they had better eat now if they’re going to. 

 Now  we’ve all seen beautiful, sunny days when it looks like the fish ought to feed like crazy but they just won’t bite a thing. That’s what we call “blue bird days”. If you check your barometer reading often you can see a steady, non-changing pressure and it could change in the next half hour or hour or two. If you’re already out there, don’t give up. I always say, “the best time to go fishing is when you can!”

 

  

Neither Captain Vic nor Vic2Fish & Adventures, Inc. claims any responsibility for any injury or loss of property arising out of any party using these Fishing Reports.

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