Barometric Pressure Effects on Fish

[uplandhunter870]

Can anyone explain how changes in barometric pressure effects fish.  my buddy and i were out steelheading today and i know the pressure had changed because the last few days have been rainy and cloudy and today was sunny dry and few clouds.  nothing was caught all day between everyone on the water.  my buddy chalked it up to the changes in the pressure messing with the fish's heads and they were in suspension trying to adjust.

I dont know what to think about this just wondering if theres any real truth to it or if its just a convienent excuse for not catching fish.

thanks,
steve

[fishcrazy]

I believe there is trueth to it. Not sure it can be explained.  If you fish the Cowlitz for example. They are allways jacking the water levels around. When they do that it will shut the bite down. Give it about 3 days of steady flows and the bite will kick right up. I don't understand it but is something you learn to deal with.


Kris

[tomy salami]

Any major changes in conditions..........barometric pressure, weather, rising water, or color can throw fish off bite until things stabilize. They are not impossible, just more difficult. Can take what was multiple fish days down to a fraction of what it was.


The most important condition on the Colombia or its tribs, for me has been an old timer saying. "Wind from the west, fish bite the best.........wind from the east, fish bite the least." Remember that one. It is the damn truth.

In the end, who knows why...........waters still wet, aint it? Why wont they always bite when you find them? Huh Mr. Coho

[cohoho]

The most important condition on the Colombia or its tribs, for me has been an old timer saying. "Wind from the west, fish bite the best.........wind from the east, fish bite the least." Remember that one. It is the damn truth.

I'll tell you what, first I heard of it, but I am a believer of this theory after our past several trips to the Dam for Sturgeon, when it was blowing from the west we literally slammed them, but it was dead as it got when it came from the east....  Listen up Robodad, wait till Gail force winds from the west and give me a call...

[fishcrazy]

 "Wind from the west, fish bite the best.........wind from the east, fish bite the least."

I agree!!! I've noticed the same thing.

Kris

[tomy salami]

I have never figured out a pattern that does work when the eastern winds kick up, but fact is, you will catch nothing if your gear aint in their face. The only way to fight E. winds, it to fish it extra hard. No lunch breaks, all lines fishing properly, keeping the details tight.

It does kill morale,though, to wake up and see the wind not blowin right. Low confidence is more detrimental to success, than any rising water level, barometer change (up or down), or wind. The place that nobody catches fish on is the couch.

I tend to TRY to prove others wrong when I get stuck in winds like that. Consider it a challenge. Eeking out a fish under awful conditions has always been most fulfilling. Love it most in 6" minus vis, when NOBODY wants to try. Everybody likes to go when flow/vis/weather are mint. Going when things don't look to hot.........ughhhh.

Experimenting in crappy conditions sometimes will lead to a new patterns of where fish hide and what they will respond to, for sometime down the road when you get stuck in a similar position. Time on the water, good or bad conditions, only expands the mental playbook for backup plans.

I just try to fish for bites. It is the most accurate way of knowing what you are doing is working. Landing them...................whole different subject.

[tomy salami]

Forgot to mention................

The whole wind thing applies not only to sturgeon. Springers, steelies, fall runs, on and on....anything in that river or its tribs. Including the Yakima River and Vernita area........hell, the saying was told to me by old, old men, (amazing fishermen) many moon ago.

Since I have known about it, is almost gospel truth anywhere I go in WA. Not sure about how walleye and the smallmouth behave, don't target em. Seems though, sturgeon were the least impacted of the lot. In fact, they were the backup plan when the wind changed while salmon fishing.

My theory of the why is: The Colombia is ALWAYS windy.......Seems like off the top of my head 80% from the west. The wind being from the east is not the problem. I guess it is the abnormality. (The large change in barometric pressure)

I don't think this info will get you into fish, just might explain why a trip got crappy. It is good to know that it usually is crappy for everybody else, it is a VERY equal opportunity phenomenon.

Forgive my long winded reply.

[uplandhunter870]

thanks all for your replies! there is a lot of very insightfull information there.

thanks,
steve

[fishcrazy]

I think the East wind has everything to do with barometric changes as the fish don't know what the wind is doing.


As for not fishing when the wind is from the East. I will check about everything before planning a trip but never check wind. I have the time to go fishing  I go and adapt to the conditions. I also fish for the bite. My goal each time is to hook 1 fish. Fooling just 1 is all I want to do.

Kris

[klickriverchromer]

The most important condition on the Colombia or its tribs, for me has been an old timer saying. "Wind from the west, fish bite the best.........wind from the east, fish bite the least." Remember that one. It is the damn truth.

:yeah
Oh ya. Truth be told..

[Alchase]

OK so where is the science?

Water pressure (fluid pressure) does not increase from an increase in Barometric pressure. Fluid pressure is constant and directly related to depth.

Just curious?

[robodad]

Listen up Robodad, wait till Gail force winds from the west and give me a call...

Sadly I don't think that would even work in my case Mike !!! I just plain stink !!! 

Like you said before you just have to mention it to me and your trip is going to suck so I'm not sure what to do !!

I'm willing to give it a try though !!! 

[tomy salami]

I am not sure the eastern wind saying can be related to science..........

The science in my boat applies to the conditions when the most fish are caught compared to the conditions when the least are caught. I have cross referenced the patterns with other fishermen, getting similar results.

Eastern winds are a definite hindrance..............no two ways about it.

Patterns are always changing year to year......season to season.....week to week......day to day.
The E. wind pattern is a constant....under the parameters of fishing in WA for salmon/steel.

Bass fishermen are big on barometer readings too.

Your right when you say water cannot be pressurized by the atmosphere. How do fish know?  I am not sure, but they act differently for some reason, that part is fact.

[newbs55]

See i have heard a steady or declining barometric pressure is best for the bite but a rising barometer gives them lockjaw.

[fishcrazy]

See i have heard a steady or declining barometric pressure is best for the bite but a rising barometer gives them lockjaw.

 

Kris