Weather Patterns.

Hi and welcome to the Fishing Tackle Box.
Today’s topic is:-

Weather patterns.

Offshore boat fishing, sometimes called deep sea or open water fishing, is fishing in deep water (more than 30 metres) and at some distance from land. It is dangerous compared to shallow water or lake fishing and more knowledge is needed by fishing boat captains about the weather patterns, navigation and safety precautions when in a boat.

This is not an activity for beginners.

Offshore fishing boats are generally much larger than inshore fishing boats, and may need to be moored in a marina. They are sturdily constructed so they can brave the weather and water conditions encountered in open waters.

Although fishing boats often differ in design and purpose and prices vary widely, as they are generally expensive to build and maintain. Most offshore recreational fishermen charter fishing boats and fishing tackle rather than own them.

It is often a sport of the affluent, and there is a demand for charter fishing boats with fishing tackle boxes equipped to luxurious excess.

Understanding how weather affects fishing

By John Leech and Edited by Neil.H

A study of weather gives us a bigger piece of the puzzle of fish behavior than any other single study.

To the number of fish caught, from fishing boats to the safety and comfort of a fishing trip, the weather is a big factor.

Knowing what the weather has in store for us helps us to plan what direction we go when we leave the launch site . If the wind is going to blow 20 mph out the North it's not time to fish the South shore. Not only would fishing conditions be tough but safety and comfort would be left at the launch site.

Understanding the fish's reaction to the weather helps the anglers to respond in the proper manor.

A prime example of wrong response is when in a fishing boat, would be in the passing of a weather front. The water temperature drops 10 plus degrees and anglers chooses shallow running crank bait from his fishing tackle box to burn over shallow flats. What do you give this fishing boat angler’s chance of success?

This is a prime reason to study weather and its effect on fish behavior.

Understanding a weather front’s make up and origin and the weather they bring, is a key factor in predicting weather events.

Most of the winter weather starts in the Northern Pacific Ocean and moves northwest to southeast. Most all weather starts in the west and moves east. Tropical weather is the exception to this rule.

Now with all this said, let’s look at frontal effects.

This is not a lesson on weather as taught by the weather experts but one taught by a fisherman that spends almost every day observing it, and its effects on the fish when on a fishing boat ,on a bass fishing boat or for that matter in a fly fishing boat.

After three days of any constant weather the fish will start to become accustomed to the conditions and return to normal activity. The passing of the weather fronts are the change factors. Cold fronts have the biggest negative effect.

Let us first define a cold front characteristic: high pressure, freaky high winds, and always high blue skies.

The first day after a cold front passes the fish movement is short in distance and duration. The resident fish bury up in heavy cover and are sluggish at best. With each day the fish movement will get better, but the movements will be best with the return of some cloud cover. By the forth day with constant weather the fish will return to normal movements.

Warm fronts are the fisherman’s catching fronts. Cloudy weather, dropping barometer, south to west winds are the predominant conditions.

If the water temperatures are warm these are good days for top water baits to be used when fishing from a fishing boat.

Good fishing and until we meet again next time,
Best wishes and,

Enjoy your Fishing.