A constant concern for summer bass fishing is the afternoon thunderstorm, and savvy bass anglers know that such weather can positively influence the bite.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Dennis Tietje points to the change in barometric pressure as a surefire fish prompter. Moreover, the cloud cover preceding a storm is like a shady awning on a hot, city street.
“Take a clear summer day and when a cloud comes over, you immediately feel relief,” Tietje said. “It’s the same way in the water. When you get a storm rolling in, you get a drop in the heat index and that’s felt below the surface, too.
“It definitely triggers a feeding frenzy when the fish feel that drop in pressure and the cooler air temperature. It’s felt more rapidly in shallow water than in deeper water.”
Pete Ponds, Bassmaster Elite pro from Mississippi, said the bite could also be particularly good right after a storm, when it’s safer to be on the water.
“Before the storm, there’s usually a little (increase in activity), but that happens pretty quickly and you want to be careful not to get caught in dangerous conditions,” Ponds said. “If you see lightning, you need to get off the water immediately.”
The backside of a storm, Ponds said, tends to produce better “because the sky usually remains overcast and the water slicks off, as the air grows still. Also, the cooling effect and the relocation of forage contributes to the bite.”
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