Our friends over the pond in Europe use a different scale called hectopascals . Normal barometric pressure is referred to in what is now known as the international standard atmosphere . Consider this a bit of a benchmark, or in other words, the exact point that scientists and weathermen use to describe ‘average’ air pressure. Low-pressure days are characterized by the presence of wind.
Fish in deeper water or near cover.Stable PressureFair weatherNormal fishing conditions. Try different lures, baits techniques to see what works.Falling PressureWeather is worseningExcellent fishing conditions! Barometric pressure is the measurement of air pressure in the atmosphere. The weight of the overlying air pressing down on the earth is measured in inches of mercury. High barometric pressure indicates the overlying air is sinking, whereas low pressure means the overlying air is rising. This air pressure affects water chemistry and weather conditions.
How does Barometric Pressure affect Fishing?
Consider that a normal value for barometric pressure is about 30 inches. A powerful low, such as during a hurricane, can reach down to 28 inches or less. The difference between these two extremes (2.7 inches of barometric pressure) is equal to about .09 atmospheres. The barometric pressure difference from a simple passing cold front is only about .06 atmospheres. FISHERMEN SOMETIMES have ideas or opinions about the marine environment that do not stand up to scientific scrutiny. For example, many anglers believe that changes in barometric pressure strongly influence fish behavior—most notably their willingness to cooperate with anglers.
This guide will help you understand what barometric pressure is, why it affects the fish, and how you can determine the pressure on the day of your fishing trip. The following is a very interesting article on the affects of barometric pressure & fishing by Kamloops Fly Fishers Association member, and long time BC interior fly fisherman, Ron Newman. It is important to remember that these are still just theories, and there are some who believe pressure has little to do whether bass will bite. But hey, who better to trust than people who have experienced the highs and lows firsthand? The consensus among those anglers is to avoid fishing when barometric pressure has peaked.
What Is Barometric Pressure And How Does It Affect The Fishing?
Remember that barometric pressure is only one of the many factors that affects fish feeding. A favorite of many anglers, fish in these pressure conditions will engage with topwater lures once again. Fish usually prefer to feed during periods of stable high pressure.
Some anglers believe in fishing by moon phases, and others pay more attention to the seasonal changes. Regardless of how and where you find fish feeding, there’s no question that barometric pressure affects fish behavior. In low-pressure conditions, the fish will bite slow and be in deeper water, so you will have to present your line deeper than usual. They will be in deeper water or near cover, so you’ll also need to use slower fishing techniques to attract a bite. The second best barometric conditions are when the air pressure is medium and stable. The weather will be fair, and the fishing conditions will be normal.
Bonny Fryer has always been interested in animals, even since she was born. This interest led her to get a degree in Veterinary Medicine and start working as a veterinarian when she was only 22 years old. She is now 44 years old and still works as a veterinarian. She loves her job and finds it very fulfilling to help animals stay healthy and happy.