So, you have all of your fishing gear loaded up in the truck and you are headed to the lake, hoping to catch some crappie. It is a little overcast, so you make sure you have lures for the cloudy day ahead. You arrive at the lake, you find your favorite spot along the shoreline, and you begin to rig your pole. Once you have your pole rigged and you cast out for the first time and then BAM the rain hits. Some say that the perfect time to fish is in the rain, but is it really true? Today we are going to explore if crappie will bite while it is raining and the effects on crappie and your fishing, after a good rain.
“Fish stories told here…. some true!” Author Unknown
It’s Raining and you want to know if you should still fish for crappies…The short answer is yes, however it may be a little more difficult. Continue reading for some tips on fishing for slabs in the rain.
For some, fishing is like a mini vacation, a relaxing time with friends and family. Making memories and improving relationships. If you are crappie fishing, making those memories and de-stressing for a weekend; what happens when it rains? Are the crappie going to go into hiding? Are they going to continue to bite at your lure? Is there a safe place to fish for crappie when it is raining? I am going to give you 4 things to remember during and after a rainfall while fishing for crappie.These are only a few of the things we found when researching ad from my ow experiece. There are other things out there that you could try.
- Try to fish before the rain hits -This is of course the prime opportunity to catch crappie, before the storms. It is believed that right before there is rain or a thunderstorm, the crappie are feeding like crazy. So keep a close eye on the weather and fishing reports. If you are adamant about fishing, then go about an hour before the storms actually arrive.
- Under shelter – all species of fish will stop feeding while it is raining. If you still want to try to catch crappie in the rain, then scout for spots that provide them shelter. For example, a bridge over a lake or even a dock on the lake. Something that they can hide under, but you can still get your line and lure close enough to.
- Stay away from rivers – currents will get heavier and stronger when it is storming outside. This will make crappie fishing almost impossible and it could be dangerous for you as well. You can try finding the backwater of the river, these places are usually not affected by the current.
- Fishing in a lake – is a safer way to fish than on a river, but depending on the type of lake it could dictate your success. To snag a lot of crappie, go to the shallow part of the lake. Whenever it rains, the water is usually rises up, making it easier for you to see those slabs.
“Fisherman’s prayer: Lord, help me to catch
fish so large, that even I, in the telling of it,
never need to lie,” Author Unknown.
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So there is our first set of tips for slab fishing in the rain. We are going to now move forward and talk a little bit more about crappie biting in the rain. As stated above, all fish slow feeding when it rains, but why? We are going to answer that question as best as we can.
Remember, falling rain can cause the water to get murky because it is stirring things up. Crappie do not like murky water so they will go deeper to find clearer water. The rain will also force larvae and smaller fish to make an appearance. Using the murky water for cover as they swim around and feed.
When it is raining, crappie tend to hide in deeper water in small schools as the rain drops hitting the water makes them skiddish and they move away from the shallow water. Some anglers swear by fishing for crappie while it is raining and others say that it is pointless. This would indicate that it is a trial and error situation. You will have to go fishing on a day when the sun is out, and there is no talk of rain. Record your catches, and then the next time it rains, go out to approximately the same spot and see if crappies bite in the rain.
“Fishing is fun…catching is better,” Author Unknown
Remember, falling rain can cause the water to get murky because it stirs things up. Crappie do not care for murky water, so they will go down a little deeper to find the clearer water. The rain will also force larvae and smaller fish to make an appearance. Using the murky water for cover, the crappie will feed.
There are a few tricks that you can try that may enhance your chances of getting a crappie to bite in the rain.
- Use longer rods – this will help you cover a wider area to allow you more opportunity to catch crappie in the rain
- Slow trolling – this will encourage the crappie to bite during the rain, as the bait is slowly moving through the water, enticing them
- Stay focused – while it is raining it will be harder to feel the light bites from crappie, so focus and concentrate on the end of your line.
- Use fishfinders – you will be able to locate the crappie and get your lure to the correct depth, so that the crappie can see them and attack
- Use heavier spinners – you want to use silver spoons or brightly colored jigs with spinners. Even when it is raining, this will help to attract the crappie
Before you head out to see if the crappie will bite when it is raining, make sure you have the gear to help keep you warm and dry. You will want to take a rain jacket, goggles, and maybe even rain boots or some type of waterproof shoe. It is advised that you steer clear of water during a thunderstorm but if you get caught up in it, make sure you are using a rod that is made of graphite. This will lessen your chances, greatly, of getting struck by lightning.
Fishing Lake Morena For Crappie? Discover what bait to use.
“I got a fishing rod for my wife – good trade,” Author Unknown
There we have it ladies and gentlemen. Tips and tricks on how to get crappie to bite while it is raining. We have given you all of the information that we could find, as to whether or not crappie bite while it is raining. Take the precautions to keep yourself safe, if you are going to be out in the rain. Make sure you have all of the lures and baits that are best for catching slab crappie. Sit back, relax, make the memories and bond with your friends and family over a great day of fishing. Trial and error and patience will be your friend if it is raining.