Weather and Water Conditions: How They Affect Your Catch Chances

Fishing is more than just casting a line and waiting for a bite. The conditions you fish in, such as weather and water conditions, play a crucial role in your success. Experienced anglers take into account factors such as air pressure, temperature, wind and water colour to maximise their chances of a good catch. In this blog post, we take a deep dive into how these conditions can make or break your fishing day.

Air Pressure and Catches

Air pressure has a direct influence on the behavior of fish. Most fish species are sensitive to pressure changes and react to them by adjusting their feeding behavior.

High air pressure (above 1015 hPa): This usually means sunny weather and clear water. Carp and predatory fish may be less active, as they retreat deeper into the water. Fishing with finesse techniques and subtle bait can be more effective in these conditions.
Low air pressure (below 1000 hPa): This is often a sign of cloudy or rainy weather, which makes many fish more active. Predatory fish such as pike and zander become more aggressive and hunt more often.
Rapidly dropping air pressure: This often occurs just before a storm and can cause a feeding frenzy. Many anglers swear by these moments as the best time to fish.

Differences between Predatory Fish and White Fish in Air Pressure

Predatory fish such as pike and zander often react more strongly to pressure changes than whitefish such as bream and roach. At low air pressure, predatory fish become more active and start looking for prey sooner. Whitefish, on the other hand, can become less active during sudden pressure drops, because they stay more in shelter.

Temperature and Seasonal Behavior

Each fish species has a preferred temperature at which they are most active.

Summer (warm water, above 18°C): Fish such as carp and catfish are very active. Predatory fish can be more reserved during this period and hide in deeper areas during the day. Night fishing is a good option.
Autumn (10-18°C): This is often the best time to fish. Many fish species are starting to fill up for the winter and are easier to catch.
Winter (below 10°C): Fish become slower and feed less often. Finesse techniques and smaller baits work better.
Spring (10-15°C): After the winter, fish come back to life. They move to warmer, shallow areas and become more active.

Predator Fish vs. Whitefish by Temperature

Predatory fish (pike, zander, perch): Thrives in colder water and is still active in winter, although slower. In summer, predatory fish often seek out deeper, cooler water layers.
Whitefish (carp, bream, roach): Slow and reserved in winter, but more active in summer and more often found at the surface. Carp, for example, feed intensively in warm water, while bream gather in schools in deeper areas.

Wind direction and force

Wind not only affects the flow of water, but also where fish are located.

South and west winds: Usually good for fishing as they push warm air and nutrient-rich water towards the banks.
North and east winds: This is often accompanied by colder temperatures and less active fish.
Strong winds: Can be beneficial as the water surface becomes cloudier, making fish feel more secure and less shy.

Water Color and Transparency

The colour and clarity of the water will determine which bait and technique is best to use.

Clear water: Use natural colored lures and subtle techniques, as fish can see better.
Turbid water: Bright colours and vibrating baits such as spinnerbaits or shads with a paddle tail work well here.
Muddy water: Large and noisy plugs or soft baits with scent can make all the difference.

Predator vs. Whitefish at Waterkleur

Predatory fish hunt a lot by sight, so in clear water realistic colours work well, while in murky water brightly coloured or noisy baits perform better.
Whitefish search for food by filtering and smelling, so scented baits (such as pellets or particles) work better in murky water.

Rain and Clouds

Rain can make fish more active by increasing oxygen levels in the water and flushing food into the water. Cloud cover makes fish less shy and more likely to hunt during the day.

Best Weather Conditions by Fish Species

Fish species	Best Weather Conditions	Worst Weather Conditions
Pike	Low pressure, cloudy, light rain	Sunny, high air pressure
Pike-perch	Twilight, cloudy water, wind	Clear water, full sun
Carp	Warm days with light wind	Sudden cold, high air pressure
Bream	Gentle wind, stable temperature	Rapidly falling temperature

Conclusion

Successful fishing is all about adapting to the conditions. By taking into account air pressure, temperature, wind and water quality you can significantly increase your chances of catching a fish. Experiment and keep a log of your sessions to discover which conditions work best for your favourite species!