Rain or shine

[Bux]

Up here in West Africa we dont get the same fish as you guys, but essentially the theory remains the same I believe.

We're ending the rainy season  just about now ('cept for the odd thunderstorm or 2 a day) and since the start of the 'monsoon' the fish activity has seriously gone down the drain. I can logically explain the sewage running down and discolouring the water and then lasting for a couple of days, as i think it does take some time for the fish to return. But like today there was quite a storm in the morning but the 'dirt' have not reached us yet from the dainage/rivers and although the water has been crystal clear for a week or 2 now and I have caught some on Sat - there was absoletly F@(kall happening today - not even a garfish skittering when my lure plunges (and I have tried every lure in every manner). Maybe it is just the season for the gamefish to be 'gone'. Keep in mind that I'm landlocked (R&S). 

So...my Q being, how does the RAIN (water colour) really affect the activity? Do the fish head out deep in certain seasons for certain reasons (as the water temp. is allways a constant up here, 'cept for the K@k in the rainy season). 

Any insight will be appriciated. 

 

[Simen]

Bux Im no expert on this but a guy like Miles will know much more on this
With rain usually you have a drop in barometic pressure, You also talk about water discolouration so I take you are close to a river mouth.
A lot of fresh water will enter the sea so some fish will move further out. Diffrent species will act different to this. Also diff species prever diff colour waters.
So your answer will be yes, rain and water colour and pressure will def play a role

 

[miles]

Hiya

Thats an extremely complex question!!

Since you're fishing an area with-out much knowledge of that area, your FIRST starting point would be to keep a fishing diary, detailing the conditions, weather, water temp., colour, fish caught, etc, etc. This way, after a season or two, you'll see a pattern emerging as to when what fish bite best.

Water colour. Some fish prefer clean water whilst other's prefer 'murky' water. Gamefish generally prefer CLEAN water. How-ever, look at fish like longfin tuna, that are quite happy in dirty green water. MURKY water is good for predatory fish like our kob, which uses the murky water to evade its predators, as well as capture its prey.

So, some fish will like clean water whilst others will like MURKY waters.

DIRTY water or SANDY water is problematic. Same with rivers that have run down into the sea, which is laden with fresh water, as well as small snad particles. These suspended sand particles are detrimental to a fish's health. They clog up the gills, making breathing for them very difficult. VERY few species can live in these type of conditions. So, water thats filled with lots of churned up sand will not be very productive. Rivers running into the sea can also have a great fresh water content. Many sea fish don't cope well with that type of salinity, and will move to deeper or better quality water.

Some fish also prefer cloudy/rainy days to bright sunshine days. In cape waters, cob and geelbek are typical examples of fish that prefer overcast weather.

To confuse you even more, sometimes you get a layer of dirty water on the surface, but beneath it, its CLEAN!! I've speared many a fish in such conditions!!

Water temp. Remember, you often get cold water that lies BENEATH the layer of warm water on the surface. Easiest way to check is to feel the coldness of your sinker after its been in the water for a while. Thermoclines have a variety of causes and your diary will be able to assist you in predicting what weather brings in the colder water.

Fish also have seasons. At a certain point, they leave an area. Could be because of dirty water or the baitfish migrating.

You need to get a understanding of your quarry. Find out as much info as you can about them. Speak to the locals. Ask about seasons, when what fish bites best.

If you have poor water conditions in the season, its worth checking out other spots until you find the clean warm water again. The fish will often move away from the dirty water, to their prefered water. Use this to your advantage. FIND the clean water and chances are good, that it'll hold ALOT more fish than normal.

Look at the whole process as an adventure!! Fish have very small brains and they're not that smart! Work out where they will be and your success ratio will go through the roof!!

Happy exploring!! And send some pic's!!

Regards

miles

 

[neilg]

well said MR Miles

 

[Bux]

Thanks Miles, that was really informative.

Suppose sometimes it helps to know your waters and also take a little more scientific approach instead of just 'slinging the pap as deep as you can'. I'll try to go that route based on your advise.

I have noticed that with a SW wind also there is no need even to think about fishing - also the locals dont bother.
Biggest problem over here is that the whole Salone has hundreds of huge rivers and downruns and when it rains it really rains, so it'll be hard to find a 'clean' spot. Just have to be a little patient for a bit longer or go steal a boat.

Thanks again and have some Manna.

 

[Bux]

Sorry, but one more qeustion - if you guys don't mind?

Is a dropping or rising tide better? And if there is a preffered tide (for personal or scientific reasons) does dusk and dawn influence it or even take upperhand over the tide scenario. Thus go fishing no matter the tide as long as it's early/late or go when the tide is right no matter the time of day?

My apologies for sounding a bit like a 4 year old with a new toy, but this site has the best info and knowledge from the people that have tried and tested and not trying to sell you anything.

 

[Cracker jack]

Remember Bux - There is no such thing as a stupid question! I think we all can learn something new everyday from someone elses questions.

Here in the eastern cape the best times for fishing are definitely at Dusk and Dawn no matter what the tide. As far as I understand, this is the time when fish normally feed. However if Dusk and Dawn also corresponds with a nice pushing tide (+/- 2 hours before high tide), you have a perfect condition. But as previously stated, water temperature, water color, wind, barometric pressures and several other influences may play a big rule in this fishing puzzle.

If anyone has managed to successfully figure out this puzzle "When to go fishing" - Would they please be so kind and share this with us

.

 

[neilg]

ON EC conditions I have to agree with Cracker Jack
Oh and welcome

 

[Cracker jack]

Thanks neilg ............ Great website!!

Your comments on the following please. Do you think these statements are correct? Obviously for PE area.

North wind = graveyard wind, don't waste your time

Easterly = Good on bay-side, water cold on wild-side

Westerly = Good on wild-side but water cold on bay-side

Southerly = Anywhere?

 

 

 

[miles]

Hiya

The theory is that predatory game fish's eye adjust faster to the light changes at dusk and dawn. They are therefor placed at an advantage, which they fully exploit!! So, YES, fish at dusk or dawn will be a better bet for gamefish.

High tide or low tide. Thats depends ENTIRELY on your fishing spots. Some fishing spots might have channels or gullies that you can only reach at low tide, either by wading or fishing off certain rocks. Other spots might be too shallow during low tide and will fish better on high tide.

You need to be able to READ the water. Look for patches of DARK spots in the water. These are either rocks or channels or deeper holes. Watch th surf roll. A wave breaks generally when the water is shallow. Watch for area's where the wave DOESN'T break. This will show you where the channels or holes are. Some predatory fish will patrol the drop-off of a channel, waiting fro baitfish to venture into the channel. Others will use the deep channel as cover and make charges into the shallows, hammering the unsuspecting baitfish, then renturning to the safety of the deeper channel. Thats why you should always fish both the shallow and deeper sides of a channel or hole.

When fishing in a river/estuary, the dropping tide will also force baitfish off the safe shallow banks, into the deeper channels. Perfect ambushing spots for large predators. On the other hand, if the river is very shallow, the fish will tend move in when the tide is high, offering more safety to them.

These are merely guidelines. Fish often do EXACTLY the opposite of what you expect!! How-ever, on the whole, when you've figured out what works best where and in what condition, you WILL be CONSISTANTLY more successful!!

Regards

miles

 

[Fanie]

I got the impression the north coast sea fish doesn't like the fresh muddy brown flood water going out to sea. The clear areas produced, but the now murkey sea areas didn't. Could be the temperature or the dirty water.

Just never think there isn't fish... some shark's don't care like the zambezi's... looking for a quick take away ;-) one of the fish on my to-catch list...

 

[neilg]

Miles
bliks@m, some of the things you are writing is what is supposed to be in part 3 of artificial angling.
I spent the last 2 nights drawing the pictures on the computer, and you have now gone and given it away.

Now where is my lawyers phone number ... hahaha

 

[Cracker jack]

Guys,

Any idea what could have caused the poor fishing this weekend? We were out at Huisklip this weekend with a bait variety that would make the Cape Town Fish Market menu look pretty dull. Not even a bite. WTF??? Not even little nibblers pecking away at the bait. Another group of about 15 -20 guys spent the entire night out there with not even one fish to show. Water was not cold, wind was OK, sea was working nicely, barometric pressures OK. Any comments? 

 

[neilg]

It's called fishing boet.

 

[Wacman]

I have found that when the "baro" jumps around and the air pressure is inconsistant, the fishing is poor. We have not had a good weather spell for a 3day plus period for a while and untill that happens good catches will be few and far between. My 2c

 

[Cracker jack]

Thanks a million for that useful information Wacman! This can save me a lot of effort and money. As much as I love just being out there on the rocks or the surf, it does become a bit uneconomical having to drive approx. 120km to the water and back every time without any success. Thanks for the tip, much appreciated!

 

 

[neilg]

ESA at one stage did a very detailed story on Barometer Pressure.

You can also search on the net and get alot of info.

I always look at it before I go fishing, but if I get the chance to go fishing I don't care what it says, I go.

 

[Bux]

Guys, i've got a rising presure here at the moment, lift 15 m from my fishing spot and got a spare hour? what you reckon, is a rising barometric presure good?

Should've paid more attention in geography calss hey.

 

[Cracker jack]

15m???? What kind of a question is that? I would be out there every day of the week. Twice if possible. Before work and after work. No matter what the baro says. Not like it is going to cost you anything. So my advice is "Yes - Go, go, go!!!"

 

[neilg]

I 2nd that, just go, don't make it complicated.

In part 3 I cover weather, conditions and barometer, but still I say, if you have the chance, GO.