Broad and Reel

The science of fishing hasn’t always interested me…I thought fishing was mostly about experience, followed by being at the right place at the right time and maybe a tad of luck. But as I become more knowledgeable about the sport, I’m realizing more and more that there are certain conditions that make catching fish more favorable.

Earlier this week, I noticed an interesting thread about fishing and barometric pressure on Pier and Surf fishing forum. I read it and became more and more curious. So I went out and did a little research and here’s what I found…granted I haven’t “tested” any of these theories but there’s no harm in trying.

The first few articles I stumbled upon believed in the connection of catching fish and barometric pressure. It seems to be a general consensus between the believers that the best fishing is when the pressure is rapidly rising or falling and the worst fishing is when there is a pressure system that just hangs around or the pressure is extremely low or high.

Here’s another article that agrees.

BUT, as I dug around more, I found articles that claimed the connection was a myth.

Jay Grymes, Chief Meterologist for  WAFB believes there is an indirect link between air pressure and fish activity. He doesn’t think there is a strong relationship because fish easily adapt to pressure changes in water with their internal bladders. The bladders help the fish adjust very quickly and changes in air pressure would happen so slow that the fish wouldn’t even notice the changes. When Grymes refers to an indirect link he means that usually when the pressure changes, the air temperature, cloud cover, wind speed, etc… also change, all of which greatly affect the activity of fish (and other animals). So… he thinks that’s why people make the association between barometric pressure and fish feeding.

Here’s another very well written article that believes the connection between fish activity and barometric pressure is a myth.

I have no background in weather patterns or any related field but I’m leaning toward the indirect connection. I believe fish activity is affected by a combination of all weather properties, not just barometric pressure. But you can decide for yourself…

Photo credit: muha…’s