walleyes in the rain

[ac777]

What's the best way and most productive way to fish walleyes in the rain? Has anyone else had success in the rain? They are talking rain throughout the day for saturday, and I would like to go out, but was wondering if it was worth it.

[jeepguy]

Rain is not coming until nooner. Bring Raingear, you will have a blast. The fish are more slippery in the rain.

[Fish Head]

The rain will not stop the fish from biting. Go fish!!

[twon]

There have been many times where I have done much better in the rain or slightly before. Seems like they want to fatten up before the storm.

[paceman]

I agree. Have had outstanding luck in the rain.

[ac777]

Good, I'll be headin out bright and early tomorrow rain or shine.

[gunflint]

It doesn't rain under the water. Rain affects the fisherman, not the fish.

[UncleKes]

Rain does not affect fish behavior. However, high and low pressure fronts do affect them. In high pressure fronts (rain, sleet, snow, etc.) the fish will usually be scattered out in deep water. They will mostly be in a non-aggressive mode so you will practically have to beat their noses with the bait to get them to bite. I am not saying you can't get them to bite but they will be spread out over deep water. Sometimes you can score tremendously on fish in the rain, sometimes not. First you have to find the fish.

Remember that high front, low front, rain, snow, sleet, sunny skies, day, night/ Fish still have to eat. If you can locate them you can get them to bite no matter what.

You might have to try several different methods, different baits, move around a lot, but yoou can get them to bite. All you have to do is find the fish.

Use your locator to find them. then fish them.

[PerchJerker]

I agree with gunflint, rain doesn't affect the fish, it affects the fisherman. I try not to let the rain affect how I fish, I use quality rain gear and try to stay as warm and dry as possible and other than that I fish the same way I would if it wasn't raining.

[slipperybob]

ROTFLMAO!!!!

"rain doesn't affect the fish, it affects the fisherman"

LOL's

Wind doesn't affect fish. Night Lantern doesn't affect fish. Klonking doesn't affect fish. Throwing the anchor instead of gently dropping it, doesn't affect fish.

What else????

[gunflint]

slipperybob, My gut reaction is to bow to your superior experience and knowledge. The original question was "is it worth fishing in the rain?" I assumed from the question that our original poster was fairly new to the sport of walleye fishing and I was trying to give a simple answer. For this I apologize to the poster for assuming and to you for insulting your intelligence.

Walleye are motivated by two things hunger and spawning. Rain can improve the walleye bite by reducing the amount of light that penetrates the surface. This creates a feeding opportunity and can be used to an anglers advantage. Wind, clouds, and sunset have the same affect.

[ac777]

I posted this because i haven't had the greatest success in the rain before, and was wondering what others thought. I know that high and low pressures can affect them. I went out and hardly got a bite, but i heard that a guy on the same lake caught a 4 pounder very early in the am, so maybe that was before the system moved in.

Thanks for all the thoughts though.

[slipperybob]

No humor...?

gunflint

you give me too much credit...I'm terrible with walleye fishing and for me, it's more luck on the spot and less competition from fellow fishermen. Just seems that people always beat me to the fish. Not that it's got my name on it or anything.

As long as we're talking rain...let's not neglect that rain water can affect the convection current in a lake causing the rise and fall of dissolved oxygen. Just like a nice sunny day can too. A creek inlet that flows with a different temp than the main body of water can create a flow pattern.

My smart aleck answer would've been:

About the only time it's not worth fishing in the rain is when you're not prepared to fish in the rain.

But you see I was already laughing to myself...

[gunflint]

I was probably a little quick on the trigger this morning. Still trying to adjust to the second shift. I have had some of my best fishing just before the rain and during the rain.

[slipperybob]

My problem is that I'm a die hard cranker...I always see people catching walleye's with jigs left and right of me. There's something about the enjoyment of fishing a crank that a jig doesn't give.

Different kinds of rainy weather poses different fishing situations to be successful. For the most part the storm front triggers a feeding frenzy in deeper water about 20-30 fow. Shallow fishing in less than 10 fow. Look for that separation of muddy water and clear water if there's one. Same pattern on windy side of the lake.

As long as lightning is not encroaching, fishing in the rain can be a great success indicator.

[Northlander]

This morning before the rain I did real well. Rain isnt a factor its the fronts that come with it. Some of my best days have been in a soft rain. Im not one to stay out in a down pour. Thats no fun even if Im catching fish.

[evinrude19]

i love fishing in the rain its my favorite time to go out. i have the best times out fishing in downpores and i have got my biggest walleye (34") in a steady downpore.