Do Fish Bite in the Rain? Here Are Top Rain Fishing Tips!

Do fish actually bite in the rain? One of the many realities of fishing is that you need to pay close attention to the current or future weather forecast.

Although not accurate, it pays to check the weather forecast for both productivity and safety while fishing. High air temperatures will bring humidity, then an increase in the humidity leads to thunderstorms.

Do you live in an area that has rainy seasons? Is it why you’re curious about rain fishing? Here’s the answer you’re looking for!

Do Fish Bite When It Rains?

Rain breaks up any water surface, creating current and flushing the nutrients from land into bodies of water.

All these can help you elicit strikes from fish, and this answers your question, do fish bite more in the rain. If we’ve piqued your interest in rain fishing, keep on reading!

Tips and Tactics for Rain Fishing

There are certain variations you need to make to your fishing tactics! Take note: we don’t recommend fishing when there’s lightning and heavy rainfall for safety reasons.

Here are some tips to catch fish while it’s raining:

Try Topwater

As the surface of the water is broken or disturbed by the raindrops with the clouds obscuring the sun, days when there’s rain make for the best times to use topwater baits. You can use them all day long!

Most species of fish will be more than willing to feed, so they will actively pursue your baits. They will also be more likely to go after topwater baits as they skitter across the surface, appearing to be insects that have fallen on the water because of the rain. So, can you fish in the rain? Definitely!

In the Carolinas and Georgia’s blueback herring lakes, anglers have epic days using big stick baits as spotted bass try pushing baitfish up to the surface when it’s raining.

When you’re fishing while it’s pouring, focus on the classic schooling areas such as ledges, current seams, ditches, and points. However, you should have topwater baits as you never know a group might come up schooling!

Fish a Lot Faster

Do fish bite in the rain? Yes! Covering water while there’s a rainstorm helps anglers locate fish that are actively feeding. With no sun, fish such as bass roam more than when it’s a sunny day.

For that reason, bass and other species spread out to a bigger area instead of locking themselves in one spot. To connect, try speeding up whichever presentation you’re fishing. This is to cover more water while it’s raining.

When you’re fishing and throwing out a spinnerbait in the rain, start burning it. When you’re rain fishing and throwing out a worm, make sure you don’t soak it too long.

Fish will be aggressive during the rainy season, so you won’t have to be working as hard in order to elicit strikes from them.

Look for Runoffs

Make sure you look for runoffs. Runoff water during rainstorms brings in nutrients.

This attracts baitfish, then bass. Try to focus on the places where you can find runoff coming to the lake if it’s still reasonably clean.

Fish will move a distance in order to line up then feed on bait around mud lines, creek inlets and culvert pipes. If you focus on these areas in the rain, you can be very effective by the time it starts coming down.

Essential Fishing Gear for Rain Fishing

There are quite a few that you should have with you when fishing during or after the rain.

• Hat: When it’s pouring, a hat for fishermen will come in handy as it will stop raindrops from entering your eyes. Additionally, you’ll have something clean to wipe the water away from your face!
• Umbrella: There are those who prefer using umbrellas while rain fishing. They help keep you stay dry while it’s raining. However, you need to be careful when opening an umbrella on the water as most kinds of umbrellas flip inside out when the wind blows.
• Tackle Box: A tackle box has to go with you when you fish in the rain as you will need various types of lures and other fishing tackle. Plan out the rigs that you will need before you go out on the water. The last thing you want is to not have the tools that you need to help you catch more fish while it’s raining.
• Jacket: Rainwater is colder than the usual water temperature, which means you’ll need clothes that will help you warm. A waterproof jacket or raincoat will help ensure you stay warm and dry while rain fishing. Just make sure that it’s not uncomfortable and restrictive. It’s important that you select the correct rain gear as you won’t just have sufficient protection against the elements, you’ll also be ensuring your personal health and safety.

Conclusion

Here, we’ve given you tips and answered the questions: do fish bite in the rain and is it good to fish in the rain? Now, the best time for you to target certain species while it’s raining will depend on the kind of fishing that you want to do and where you’ll be fishing.

There are also several factors that you have to consider to determine whether or not you should go out rain fishing. This includes the weather conditions, time of year, safety, and your personal preference.

Fish do bite more while it is raining but there’s also a downside. It can be challenging as visibility goes down. The best way for you to find out if fishing during or after the rain is suitable for your personal needs and preferences will ultimately be to give it a try!

Have you had much success with rain fishing? Share your tips with the angling community by commenting below!