Fishing in the rain: is it good, and how to fish before, during and after
Is fishing good in the rain? What rain does to light, pressure, food and water clarity, the best tactics before, during and after rain, and when to stay off the water.
Many anglers pack up when the first drops fall. Many others grab their rain jacket and head out, because some of their best days happened in the rain. Who's right? It depends on what kind of rain, and when in the weather system you're fishing.
Is it good to fish in the rain?
Often, yes. Rain changes four things fish care about:
Light. Clouds and a broken surface cut light, so predators like bass, pike and trout feel safer roaming shallow water.
Pressure. Rain usually comes with a low-pressure system. The hours before a front, when pressure is falling, are often the best of the week. See barometric pressure and fishing.
Food. Runoff washes worms, insects and debris into the water, and baitfish gather at inflows.
Oxygen and temperature. Rain and wind add oxygen and can cool hot summer water, which wakes up sluggish fish.
Before the rain
The period just before a storm, with falling pressure and building clouds, is famous for aggressive feeding. If you see a front coming in the forecast, fish the afternoon before it. Moving baits that cover water (spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater) work well.
During the rain
Light, steady rain: one of the best conditions to fish. Go shallow, use topwater and moving baits.
Heavy rain: fishing can stay good, but visibility drops. Switch to louder, darker baits and fish slower.
Thunderstorm: get off the water. No fish is worth a lightning strike. A carbon rod is a lightning rod.
After the rain
The day after rain can be excellent or tough depending on clarity and pressure:
Inflows and creek mouths carry food and attract fish. Fish the line where muddy water meets clear water.
Rivers on the rise often fish well while the water is still coloring up; when it's blown out and chocolate brown, wait a day or two. Catfish are an exception and love rising water: see best time to catch catfish.
High pressure and bluebird skies after a strong front usually slow the bite. Fish slower and deeper, and target the best solunar window of the day.
Rain and solunar windows
When a solunar major or minor falls during light rain, you've stacked low light and a feeding window, which is a good reason to stay out. On the dial, look for windows in the hours before the front arrives. The method is explained in best time to fish today.
Saltwater
On the coast, heavy rain lowers salinity near river mouths and can push fish out to cleaner water, while a light rain at dawn on a running tide can be superb. See tides and solunar for saltwater fishing.
Quick checklist
Light rain + falling pressure: go.
Day after heavy rain: fish inflows and color lines.