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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
May 7, 2003
Eric Asks:
Dave -
My question is about weather. Specifically, how do high or low-pressure systems affect fish feeding activity. Is it more of a rising or dropping pressure that triggers good fishing and if so which one?
Thanks,
Eric
Captain Dave's Response:
Hello Eric,
Fish - just as humans - can sense change in barometric pressure. Biologists and those who follow the psychology of how fish react (the angler) often have different views about why there are changes in feeding activity, and if a high or low-pressure system is best for fishing.
According to the article "A Primer on Fishing Weather" in Bassmaster Magazine by Don Quick, when barometric pressure drops, organisms become more buoyant and float off the bottom. This makes plankton more vulnerable and baitfish can go into a feeding frenzy. This can stimulate fish to feed on the baitfish. When the pressure rises, plankton is pushed back toward the bottom where it is not as vulnerable to baitfish. Thus, baitfish and predators are not as active.
Another article stated that weather plays a part of our lives every day, from controlling what clothes we wear, to whether we can water the lawn. And just like us, fish pay particular attention to weather, especially when changes in pressure occur.
The lateral lines of a fish sense the increase or decrease in pressure brought on by a frontal passage. A dropping pressure most surely means winds and storms, which cloud the water and make feeding difficult. Many biologists attribute heavy feeding before the passage of a front to that fact.
My thoughts, however, on feeding are not scientific. They are more of an observation on how I've seen them react. And it doesn't seem much different from what we do.
When a low-pressure system, which is generally associated with cloud cover and rain, is occurring, we "feel" differently. Our eating, sleeping, and activity patterns are different from that during a high-pressure system, which is generally associated with clear skies and sunshine.
During a high-pressure, we normally eat "three squares" (meals) a day: morning, noon, and evening; between, we are active, but not eating (feeding). A fish, I feel, is the same. When we are in a high-pressure (blue skies and sunshine) fishing is best morning, noon and evening.
For example, I have experienced excellent fishing around noon during times of high sun and blue skies.
During a low-pressure, we are not as active, but we still eat. The difference, though, is we are not sure when we are hungry. It could be at 10 AM or 3 PM I approach fishing the same way. When i'm fishing during a low-pressure, there is no clock. The fish can go on the "bite" at any time.
Which system is best? Is it biology or psychology that triggers good fishing? I think a rising pressure is best because if the weather is good for me, it must be for the fish, also.
Good Fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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