Bass lure fishing before a storm can be highly productive due to environmental changes that influence fish behaviour. Yesterday was a fantastic morning lure fishing for bass that ticked all the boxes, and if you get it right, it pays off immensely. Here are the key benefits, based on insights from our experience and weather-related patterns:
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Increased Feeding Activity:
- Bass become more aggressive and feed heavily before a storm due to dropping barometric pressure. This pressure change signals fish to eat while conditions are favourable, making them more likely to strike lures especially if there is baitfish around. Studies suggest bass are most active when barometric pressure falls.
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Optimal Lure Effectiveness:
- The low-light conditions from storm clouds make lures like surface lures more effective. Bass rely less on sight and more on vibration, movement and sound, so lures with strong actions attract takes. For example, a loud topwater lure can trigger explosive bites in murky or choppy water. For us yesterday, anything white, small and with some sort of flash worked very well.
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Concentrated Fish Locations:
- Pre-storm winds and changing water conditions push baitfish toward shallow areas, cover, or structure like estuaries and weed beds. Bass follow, making them easier to target with lures cast near these spots. Focus on areas with current breaks or ambush points, as bass position themselves to conserve energy while hunting. This once again gave us the advantage as we were stood within the weedy margins.
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Heightened Aggression:
- The impending storm creates a sense of urgency in bass, leading to impulsive strikes. Fast-moving lures like shallow divers or topwater lures mimic fleeing prey, capitalising on this predatory instinct. Bass anglers report higher catch rates with aggressive presentations, such as rapid retrieves or twitching.
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Less Fishing Pressure:
- Many anglers avoid fishing before a storm due to safety concerns, reducing competition and leaving prime spots less disturbed. This allows you to target bass in high-traffic areas that might otherwise be overfished. Finding that weather window (the eye of the storm) is crucial.
Tips for Success:
- Lure Selection: Use noisy or high-vibration lures to stand out in turbulent conditions. Bright colors like chartreuse or white work well in low visibility.
- Timing: Fish during the 12-24 hours before a storm, especially when clouds roll in but rain hasn’t started. Avoid fishing during lightning or severe weather.
- Location: Target shallow estuaries, river mouths, or areas with heavy cover where bass congregate.
- Safety: Monitor weather closely and leave the water if storms approach rapidly.
By leveraging these conditions, anglers can experience some of the most productive bass fishing sessions, as bass are primed to strike before the weather shifts.
We hope this helps, and after the storm is always another good time to go bass lure fishing when everything has been stired up.