Water and weather conditions for bass ..

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Sonix

New member
OK ...not feeling like work today, so I'll just post two questions I have regarding bass ... ;)

No1. Does bass activity increase or decrease, during rain?... by this I mean physically raining while fishing, or fishing just 10 minutes after rain has fallen into the dam ... my logic tells me that their activity should increase? ... and I guess because of the cloudy conditions, one should use crank or spinner bait? ...

No2. It might be my imagination, but it seems like bass activity is always better, at the point where fresh water enters the dam (inloop van die dam) ? ... when it rains, and the current of water entering the dam increases, will it still be a good spot, or must I move to the more "quiet" area of the dam?
 
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Johanvc

Sealiner
Well answer to your first question:
You need to specify what type of rain. If it is a hot summers day and there is sudden burst of rain and it stops then yes. Activity will increase as water cools down a bit and the oxygen is more. Top water baits will be my first choice in these conditions.
But if it is rain like we are having now. Then activity will slow down as plenty rains full rivers witch then in turn fills our dams which in turn colours the water witch in turns gives us very dirty water to fish and water temps will be down. So chances would that fish will move to slightly deeper water close to shallows and as soon as the rain stops and weather gets better then they will move up shallow to investigate new flooded vegetation. In these conditions i would use cranks, spinners and jigs
 
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Johanvc

Sealiner
Question 2:
Where fresh water enters is more oxygen then in the rest of the dam. Depending on how it enters the dam. As water are flowing, water temp is a bit down from the rest of the dam. I think bass tend to hang around these spots looking for food that either wash down the river or to hunt fish hanging around waiting for food. I have fished a couple of dams around Gauteng and up to injaka and Tzaneen where streams run in to a dam. I have found some nice bass hanging just of the moving water. I would cast a fluke in to the stream and just let it go with the flow and would get hit hard and aggressive
 
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BucknutZ

New member
Sonix

The following is my personal oppinion.

When the rain sets in the bass become less active. You still get bites but less during rain. It also seems that after the rain for about and hour they are less active and when it clears up they seem to become active again. By clearing up i mean Sunlight. Some occations the rain might stop but the sunlight doesn't come (clowdy) and it seems that they stay reasonably inactive during this period.

It's really hard to say if these findings might be correct as it is my personal experience.

I also believe that allot depends on the location that your fishing. Does the area receive plenty rains etc. Lastly i believe that plenty could also be said about the water depth and size of the dam. If you compare a large dam to a small one during rain the small dams water tempreture will drop much faster than the large dam due to less water. The fish will become less active during colder periods than warmer periods.

The other thing is also to remember that the water will turn muddy and mirky during heavy rains thus making fishing more difficult.

Regards
 
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Ryan

Sealiner
I am with VC on this one.....

Rain also knocks incsects etc onto the water surface - produceing a better top water bite.
 
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Sonix

New member
Thanx for the replies ..
The dam I'm thinking about, is a VERY small dam, with almost permanent muddy water (almost like Struben dam) .. I tried it yesterday, at my usual spot, but after the rain, the water intake was much much faster than usual, so much that when I cast, my line would drift, making a arch. I was just wondering whether I was waisting my time or not ...didn't get ANYTHING ...Water temp went down from the usual 23C to 22C, so I don't think the temp was a big problem ....but maybe the current was ..
 
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Ryan

Sealiner
You could always try Dynamite!!! :fbash Me thinks as the weather is currently in a small dam you are wasting your time
 
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Sonix

New member
After the rain I DID see ALOT of turning and bubbles in the water close to the intake ...gues it's carp, or barbel? ... damn ...should've tried some loodkoppies ...heheee
 
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Johanvc

Sealiner
[color=#0066cc]Ryan[/color] wrote:
You could always try Dynamite!!! :fbash Me thinks as the weather is currently in a small dam you are wasting your time
Click to expand...

I agree with Ryan. Small dams are influenced faster and worst than your bigger dams.

But I think the big dams will be suffering a lot now as well. So time to pull out the drop shot and shaky head rod for some finnes fishing
 
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Basstard

New member
To add to question 1. I have had days where I fished the entire day and caught maybe one or two. As soon as a thunderstorm comes jump in the car wait it out and as soon as its safe you can cast your watch in and they'll take it. Best fishing after a storm.

Prefer fishing around the rain. Have caught big fish during cold fronts on top of the water. I thinnk its a case of finding hungry bass. Look for them and you'll find them.
 
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