What is BEST Time for Fishing? For Carp, Trout & Bass!

Do you know, what is the best time for fishing for carp, trout and bass!? 

Morning or night for bass? Summer or winter for carp? Rainy day or maybe sunny day trout?

Many factors are important for a successful fishing trip and also many good fishing tips and tricks.

So, read learn more ...

Fishing water has to be seen as a community of many living beings living in it, but also an environment that is changing under the influence of many factors, thus affecting its life.

Fishermen know that the fishing world is responsive to the weather, affecting all living things in nature. But how?

Impact of weather conditions on fishing

Sudden colds, thaws, rain, wind ...

All this are factors that, by acting, reward a fisherman with a rich catch and sometimes lead to despair.

With the arrival of spring, the fish awakens from winter drowsiness and sets out in search of food. The remaining snow from the surrounding mountains melts and drains into the rivers and lakes.

The mountain waters are then snowy, cold, strong and high waters. Then the fish is happy with everything that comes close. He uses everything as food.

Fish's appetite increases sharply when the water level rises slightly. Then they are carefree and hunt without fear and control.

Due to lower spring temperatures, fish are less mobile, but this does not mean that they are less active. Its activity increases with the arrival of summer.

Light is a major factor affecting the appetite of fish. Clear skies with lots of sunshine are not good for fishing. Fish rarely take food and strive to be invisible.

Cloudy is incomparably better than clear weather. Then the fish are less careful because they do not see our shadow on the water, as well as the glare of certain parts of our accessories. The appearance of cirrus clouds can be considered as an unfavorable moment. They tend to condense water vapor in the air, rain, or at least change the weather.

The relationship between pressure drops, cirrus clouds, and winds, which usually precede the change of weather, is therefore noticeable.

The effect of the wind

Fishermen interpret their directions and impacts differently. So there are no firm rules when it comes to wind.

One thing is for sure, that the influence of wind depends on its direction as well as the position of the water. A gentle wind that waves the surface of the water is better than quite calm weather, while strong winds and sudden changes of direction are very unfavorable.

What is a convenience in the summer and promises a rich catch is usually a limiting factor in winter fishing. In particular, the north and northwest winds are unfavorable during the winter, contributing to the success of fishermen in the summer.

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Is it good to go fishing in the rain?

Rain, unless pressure drops, is a sign that the fish will be more than active. That goes for the downpour and the storm. Fish are anticipating the coming of such weather, so they are very excited and active.

Heavy rain at first affects the fishing success, but if it lasts briefly or weakens so that only one drop drops to the surface of the water, success is guaranteed.

Raindrops falling on water cool the surface and enrich it with oxygen. Small white fish emerge towards the surface, so the predator is forced to feed in the upper layers. In that sense, the rain only has a positive effect on fishing during the summer and early fall.

Strong winds and storms harm fishing because the fish then scares, stops eating and escapes to shelters.

The only exception is the fearless catfish.

When the storm stops, you will notice the activity of the fish on the smooth surface of the water.

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Is it better to fish during high or low pressure?

It mostly affects fish behavior. The fish bladder reacts as the most sensitive barometer ...

When the pressure is low, it adversely affects fish activity. If we do not know the pressure, the leaves on the nearby plant should be observed. When the underside of the leaf is visible and when it is facing the wind, the pressure is reduced.

— When pressure is on the increase, good catches can be expected, especially in spring and early autumn, especially for carp species;

— When the pressure is down and when the northwest wind blows, such a situation does not produce good fishing results, especially if the air temperature is low;

— When the pressure is stable and high (1004 – 1012 millibars), moderate to good results can be expected in winter, while in summer and spring it is best if the pressure is stabilized at around 1000 millibars (2-3 millibars up and down);

— Stable and low pressure means that it has long been blowing northwest wind, which cools the water, and is very unfavorable for fish, and therefore for fishermen. The fish then lies at the bottom, waiting for better weather, and can only be caught in its bait is pulled in front of the nose;

— Extremely low or extremely high air pressure values ​​are very unfavorable for both fish and fishermen.

Of course, this does not mean that you must buy a barometer (although it is not a bad thing to have one) to go fishing.

BONUS TIP: If you do not have a barometer, observe the leaves in the trees. If the underside of the leaves is visible, and if it is facing the wind, it is a sign that the pressure is falling. When the leaves stand normal to the branches (approximately 90 degrees), the pressure rises.

What's the best moon phase for fishing (Solunar theory)?

The fish live in harmony with the Moon. They, like all living things, have their biorhythms associated with the hourly, daily, monthly, annual movements of the Earth. Also, the fish respond to the release of solar energy, magnetic storms, changes in air pressure, wind speeds, changes in water temperature.

The relationship between the bite and the Moon phase is also a bit mystical, it's not easy to explain.

Experienced fishermen always give beginners instructions on what stage of the Moon is best to go fishing:

Young Moon - the unlit side of the moon faces. Earth and that's why we don't see it.

Fishing will also be ineffective, as most water residents will be extremely passive and practically uninterested in bait (not even live bait).

Day One — Best before 9 AM.
The second day — best before 8 AM.
Third day — Best before 1 PM.
Fourth and fifth days — best by 4 PM.
Sixth and seventh days — best from 9 AM to 4 PM.

The first quarter — the quarter of the Moon is illuminated by direct rays. The Sun and the illuminated part increases.

Best time for fishing. During this period, the fish are practically unaffected, behaving naturally.

First day — good in the morning, tolerable in the afternoon.
Second day — good in the morning, best in the afternoon.
Third, fourth and fifth days — tolerable.
Sixth day — best after 1 PM.
The seventh day— good all day.

Full moon - It is also not the best fishing period. For many living things, the full Moon is a difficult period, which negatively affects the general state and well-being.

First day — tolerable.
The second day — bad.
Day three — very bad.
Day four — very good.
Fifth day — good in the morning.
Day Six — Good only in the early morning.
The seventh day — good only by afternoon.

The last quarter — a quarter of the moon is illuminated by direct rays. The sun and the illuminated part diminishes.

First day — well afternoon.
Day two — a very good afternoon.
The third day — well after 3 PM.
Fourth day — tolerable after 5 PM.
The fifth day — good afternoon.
Sixth and seventh days — a very good afternoon.

There are exceptions to these rules, which depend on the attractive forces of the Sun and Moon, the height and tendency of water levels, cloudiness, the amount of food available to fish ...

Is it better to go fishing at night?

Night fishing is a very interesting way of fishing, a little harder than fishing in the day, but fishing has its charms and benefits.

The advantage of night fishing (especially in summer) is the comfortable temperature compared to the heat of the day. Mostly windless weather, which even though it blows during the day slowly stops, that when the night falls almost completely, silence in the river, and mostly somehow the conversation and the noise between the fishermen themselves is reduced.

Usually for fishing at night we choose the place where we are fishing in the daytime, generally, these are quieter and slightly deeper flows waters, where fish like to stay at night.

Experience says that fish usually start biting one-half hour after the first dark, intense until about 10 PM, when there is a break, and then you can hope for the next batch after midnight, and sometimes by morning.

Best time for carp fishing

Carp is one of the favorite species that often adorns the net of fishermen and forms a large part of their prey.

He is constantly on the move, looking for deeper parts of the water in the fall, preparing where he will spend the winter. As the water dissolves, the carp becomes more active and begins to search for a place to be protected.

During the summer heat, when the oxygen level is low, the carp often comes to the surface of the water and out of the water takes in the oxygen it lacks but is then the hardest to catch.

Does rain affect carp fishing?

In most cases, the rain encourages the carp to start eating, especially in summer, when the rain raises the oxygen level in the water. This refreshes the water and makes the carp more sensitive to the smell of our bait.

The only reason the carp stop eating in rainy weather is very heavy showers or when rain causes the water temperature to drop. In this case, the fish can look for warmer parts of the water.

If fishing in a relatively shallow area, heavy showers can cause discomfort. Then the carp will change location.

As the water temperature rises, the carp will return to the feeding site. It mostly happens in the morning when the sun rays shine on the shallows.

Changes in air pressure

Scientific tests have been carried out to determine whether air pressure affects the carp in any way. When the scale in the barometer goes down, carps tend to stop moving and start feeding on dead matter.

When the barometer scale goes up, the carp becomes more active and starts feeding on live food.

Weather conditions

Today, every fisherman knows that weather influences the quality of fishing.

Bad weather, such as cloudy and rainy, increases the likelihood of catching a carp. Extremely low temperature has quite the opposite effect. Carp become less interested and harder to catch.

In clear and sunny weather, the carp sees great. On the other hand, in cloudy weather, when the amount of light entering the water is reduced, it is much more difficult for a carp to notice the presence of a fisherman on the shore.

During the cold winter months, carp generally stay near the bottom. One rule of thumb is that if you are trying to catch a carp during the coldest months, do it during the hottest part of the day when the temperature of the air and water rises slightly. The time during which the carp feeds is then significantly shorter than during the warmer months of the year. Fish are much more selective over the winter in terms of where, when and what to eat.

Wind Direction

Wind direction has a direct impact on the carp's eating habits. Fishermen know that nutrients in the water change their course according to the wind.

Carp monitors these nutrients, can sense the taste and smell of objects in the water. The carp has a very sensitive sense of smell that allows it to sense every substance dissolved in water and to evaluate whether it is a good food source.

It is thought that when the wind blows, the nylon transmits vibrations to the bait and forces the fish to take it. When the fish takes the bait, it senses vibrations and runs away from the hunter. When the wind stops blowing, the fish will not stop taking the bait but will no longer run away from the fisherman.

There is an equal chance of catching at night as well as during the day. It can be said that chances are higher in the evening, at night or early in the morning, especially if it is stagnant waters.

Carp are very durable fighters, and until the very end, they can keep a fisherman in suspense and prepare a surprise for him.

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Best time for trout fishing

The trout is a big fighter, swims lightly, jumps out of the water and tends to go into a branch or some other shelter. When drawing fish, you need to be careful, and if it is not big you can easily pull it to shore.

Smaller trout are retained in shallows, rapids and around waterfalls, and larger in trout depths or under rocks and logs. No matter where - in rivers, ponds or in a lakes.

Fishing is best between mid-April and July and late August-October. During the day, it is best fished in cloudy weather and after a mild summer rain.

In the summer, after a short sudden showers or cloudless clouds, and at high temperatures, you will notice swarms of flies above the surface of the water as their wings make it difficult. This is a great time to catch trout as they will accept just about anything they fall on the water.

In the late summer and early fall, when the water temperature begins to drop, the trout feed most intensively. Frequent autumn showers and short-term rains create ideal conditions for the cheating of larger trout, which only came out of the shelter during the summer when their hunger forced them.

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Best time for fishing bass

First of all, the bass is a fantastic sport fish (and also for eating). Very combative and difficult to predict.

He feeds on whatever comes to mind. When you first see the bass the first thing that comes to mind is its extremely large and deep mouth. The lower lip covers the upper lip, which gives it an extra "wicked" appearance. There are numerous teeth and a strong fleshy tongue in the mouth.

Generally, it is most suitable for closed water. It is extremely resilient and new and quickly conquers new terrains. The main reason is that it tolerates a wide temperature range, from very low to warm.

The bass is mostly retained in the coastal parts of the waters, along with reeds and grass, from which prey lurks. Smaller pieces sometimes sunbathe on the surface of the water, while larger ones prefer larger depths.

In the spring and autumn they prefer deep water, while on a sunny day, in summer, you can catch them on the surface.

Basses that live in waters that freeze in the winter look for bays and backwaters that have enough oxygen to protect them from running water in the riverbed. Sometimes due to changes in water quality, the bass is forced to change its location even in the middle of winter.

Due to the small number of quality bays and backwaters in which the bass can safely spend the winter, a good bay with good water and oxygen supply is usually also a high concentration of bass in the winter.

Where the water does not freeze in winter, the bass remains active and feed all winter.

It should be noted here that bass caught in the winter at great depth cannot be brought back into the water because it has no chance of surviving. The reason is the change in pressure in the bass organism. In the early spring when the water temperature begins to slowly climb, and the bass slowly begins to move to shallower places. The metabolism and feeding of bass intensify with increasing temperature.

As the water warms up and the flight approaches, the bass becomes quieter. In the fall when the water begins to cool, the bass becomes very active.

Conclusion

The magic of true sport fishing is that you feel privileged to give the fish a new life by returning to the water, and the pleasure is such that it cannot be measured by the fish being taken. More about “Catch and release fishing” you can read here…

The fishing success factor is the optimal combination of the previous elements. You are rightly wondering how to achieve it.

You need to live in harmony with nature, and your knowledge and thoughts need to be aligned with the laws that govern the water. All this is as important as the eternal search for a secret miracle bait and food.