We so often check the weather before we go fishing. We are looking for that beautiful spring day of 70 degrees with little to no wind and overcast skies. That can be great fishing conditions. But did you know that Bass Fishing in the rain can absolutely knock your socks off.
It was the beginning of June and the lake was Lake St. Clair in Michigan. The rain started but there was no lightning. We noticed that none of the local anglers started to leave (we are from Georgia). They simply got their jackets on and kept fishing. So we got our rain gear on and continued on as well. Over the next 90 minutes we proceeded to catch (drum roll please)………… over 50 Bass. If I casted out and did not get a bite it was rare. I am not at all saying to fish with a graphite rod in a rain storm with thunder and lightning. But if the weather is not like that and you can handle the cold rain than you can have an absolutely awesome time fishing in the rain. Now here is the crazy part. When the rain stopped the bite died down significantly. That rain storm accounted for some of the best fishing I have ever had in my entire life. So why did this happen and how can you catch fish in the rain also.
So when the rain starts the barometric pressure drops and the fish are more enticed to feed and chase baits (more on bait selection in a moment). Obviously when the rain is hitting the water the fish can’t see quite as well so they are even more aggressive towards your offerings. Furthermore the low light conditions helps the bass be more incline to chase. Have you ever noticed in the morning time when you are out early you throw your top water and moving bait patterns? Well when rain hits it does the same thing and offers low light and makes the bass more prone to chasing bait. When this happens you do not have to hit the bass on the nose for them to bite your lure. They will chase from a long way off using their vision or their lateral lines to feel the vibration.
What Do I Throw When it Rains
Nothing beats a good old fashioned spinner bait (in my humble opinion) in the rain. When it is raining I want to make sure that the fish can see my bait. I have always preferred a white skirt in the rain. I also like painted Blades especially for smallmouth. They can track that bait from a long way in that clear water and will hit it like a ton of bricks. A spinner bait like this is a great option in the rain.
And also remember only use a trailer hook if you want to catch the bass. Play around with the speed at which you reel but no matter what do not forget the occasional pause with the bait to let the blades flutter and trigger that strike.
Now I have had this same type of success in a dirtier body of water like Lake Guntersville and still been very successful while fishing in the rain. I knew what the fish were relating to like pieces of wood and aimed my casts towards that type of stuff. Again it is one of the best fishing days that i remember. Make sure to past the cover that is your target. For instance if you are targeting a tree limb on the bank I would say cast over it and as soon as you clear the limb let the bait fall for a second and then start reeling again. That fall or pause is absolutely crucial for strikes. Also do not over look rip rap or rocky of any kind. Try and keep your cast parallel to the bank so you keep your bait in the trike zone longer.
Remember nothing will warm you up like catching bass. But if you need a little extra help keeping warm and dry check out this video.
Other baits that are good to throw during the rain would be a top water bait. Something like a whopper plopper is a great choice because you can work it back to the bait fast. A lipless crank bait or rattle trap can also be a great offering during this time.
Where to Find Them
A great place to start looking is somewhere that has run off. It attracts baitfish which attracts bass.
It also stirs up the water and makes bass more aggressive and likely to bite. The oxygen is also improved in places where you have run off as well which attracts the bass.
Make sure you fish fast during the rain so you can quickly find out where the bass are staging to feed during the rain storm. Remember you can fish fast during the rain.
Final Thoughts
Don’t freak out when you see it is going to rain on your fishing day. It can be one of the most prosperous times you have ever had on the water. Cover water, fish a little faster and have a blast during your next rain storm.
