Fish and Fronts
By Todd Heitkamp, Meteorologist and Owner of Dakota Angler in Sioux Falls,
SD
Most
fishermen have heard the old wives’ tale, “Wind from the east,
fish bite the least – wind from the west, fish bite the best.”
Well do you believe that statement? For some fisherman, they hold this dear
to their heart due to past experiences. So much so that in some cases, they
don’t even venture out if the wind is from the east! For the most
part, the wives’ tale is true, but its really due to the pressure
changes in the atmosphere, not due to the direction of the wind. This month,
I’ll explain the influence of the barometric pressure changes and
the role it plays on our fishing success or failure.
As I mentioned last month, the wind will be southerly as a cold front is approaching and as it passes through the area, the wind switches to a northerly direction. All of know that the wind comes from more than two directions, so how does the wind become easterly or even westerly? Once the wind becomes northerly and front moves further away, the wind begins to swing around in advance of the next front. Usually a day or so after the frontal passage, the wind will be easterly and this typically will be the toughest fishing day. The main reason for these tougher fishing days is really due to the changes in the barometric pressure, not the wind.
The key to your success is to watch what the changes in the barometric pressure. In other words, is it rising, falling, or holding steady? As a front approaches the area, the pressure is falling. Once the front passes through the area and the winds become northerly, the pressure begins to rise. In between these two states of the atmosphere, the barometric pressure will usually hold steady for a period time. When you think of pressure, think of weight measurement as the barometric pressure reading is actually the weight of the atmosphere. So, when the pressure is falling, the atmosphere doesn’t weigh as much or in other words is lighter. When it’s rising, there is more weight to the atmosphere and it exerts a force on the earth’s surface. Humans and animals, including fish, feel the affects of these changes in pressure. Just think of Grandma’s arthritis flaring up or Grandpa’s “trick” knee. My Grandpa would always say he knew when a storm would be approaching because his knee would hurt more that usual and that was and is due to the change in barometric pressure. Fish are the same way. They feel the weight of the atmosphere.
When the atmosphere is heavier (rising barometer), the fish are driven into deeper water and will actually become more lethargic. In contrast, when the barometric pressure is falling (less weight), the fish become increasingly active and in some cases may go on a “feeding frenzy”. Think back to your most successful fishing trips and try to remember what the pressure was doing on those days. I would bet that you quickly realize the important role pressure changes have on your success. That’s why I recommend to all anglers to keep a log book. This will allow you to track the weather conditions and annotate what worked and what didn’t. What worked yesterday might not work today. When fishermen find themselves on the wrong side of a front, they need to change their tactics. On those days, I leave my spinners and crankbaits at home and try to get right on top of the fish and try to entice them by using vertical jigging techniques, a little slower presentation.
So once again, you can see the importance of the weather conditions
and the forecast. For not only your safety, but for your level of success
on the lake! Next month, I will explore this topic further by explaining
why this phenomena is magnified during the winter. In the mean time –
Good Fishin’.
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