Smart fishing

Smart fishing with the barometer

I have been fishing since early childhood and the one lesson that I learnt early was, the smart fishermen caught the fish, not the lucky ones. Of course, there were the times someone lucked out on a prize fish, but overtime I learnt the smart guy always caught more and often bigger fish. I have heard the 90% -10 % ratio rule. That 90% of the fisherman catch 10% of the fish and 10% of fisherman catch 90% of fish. I believe it has a ring of truth to it. It is the 10% who develop a superior knowledge of fish behaviour; they understand where the fish hang out and at the right time, what they eat, etc.

The smart fisherman studies the tide, moon phases, water temperature, light factors and now the smart fisherman are turning to the Barometer. It has been well noted by fisherman that when a low Barometric pressure reading is present, the fish stop biting. This reoccurring pattern was noted by fresh water anglers and salt water anglers alike. In an effort to understand Barometric pressure and the effects on fish behaviour some theories have been promoted.  One theory that is interesting, relates to fish bladders that use air pressure to stabilize the fish body in water depths. The fish may be affected by air pressure, a bit like we humans are affecting by altitude sickness.

One theory is the effect of air pressure on fish bladders

Some fish sense pressure change through their air bladder. Some species have small air bladders like Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo and Kingfish and are not affected as much as species with larger air bladders like Trout, Tarpon, Grouper and Snapper. When the Barometric pressure drops, the fish with the larger air bladders feel discomfort and lose interest in feeding, where as other species with small air bladders are relatively unaffected. In this theory, the fish with large air bladders will move to feel well or they feel bloated or full. It is believed these fish move into deep water seeking higher water pressure and ride out the low pressure around structures.  The theory suggests that just prior to change from a high to a low, fish will bite like crazy until the low hits and then stop.

The theory sounds reasonable and explains a number of experiential fishing stories. Most fishermen have found a pattern with low pressures that the fish are just not on the bite, particularly right after a high pressure. The theory of crazy feeding just before a drop from a high also rings true. Perhaps the fish are feeding up prior to waiting out a low pressure.   According to this theory, not all species are badly effected, some salt water species might be less effected by low or high pressure but don’t forget that baitfish might be effected and they may move deeper because of a low pressure. Yet there are exceptions to the rule.  Certainly sometimes fish coping with a prolonged low pressure in deep water may start to feed if they have settled into the pressure zone.

As a general rule of thumb, fresh and shallow water species are affecting more by Barometric pressure than deep water species, as water pressure is greater in the depths than air pressure. Also, some species may be less affected with smaller bladders. The other factors to consider are moon phase, tides and water temperature. Often water temperature affects some species more than barometric pressure, i.e. Snapper are one such species and tend to bite from 18ºc to 21ºc with 19ºc the best water temperature of South East Queensland. Fish in altitude areas seem to be highly affected by air pressure.

PRESSURE FISH BEHAVIOUR FISHING METHODS

Apart from water depths, I suggest you find a range of structures ranging from shallow to extreme deep, and work your fishing according to Barometric pressure, having a number of fishing spots greatly increases your chance of consistent fish. In deep salt water species, I doubt air pressure has any real bearing on fishing, apart from the fact that shallow species might move into deeper water. The Barometric pressure is a tool that can help us find the fish in faster time. If the pressure is high you go to A,B,C spots, if its low you go to D,E,F or normal G,H,I etc.

It’s advisable to keep a diary of top catch days with a Barometric pressure reading to try and find patterns of catches in each location. 

(Please note fishing according to Barometric pressure is a new science and is not fully understood, the fishing recommendation are built on the fish bladder theory and experience and may be effected by other natural factors, tide, moon phase, water temperature, oxygen in water, wind, boat traffic, baitfish numbers etc)

Barometric Pressure range

It’s important to understand that pressure is not fixed, there is no such thing as an averaging reading or high and low standard. It depends on your location for an average, low or high pressure. What might be high or low in one area could be average in another area. In Australia I suggest you go to http:\www.bon.gov.au\fwo\IDo60201\ID06021.200502.pdf to help you understand your areas of interest range.

For example

These test locations give you an idea of average, low or high readings over a test period.

Kokoda Weather Central

It is a digital Barometer with radio-controlled Wireless Thermo-clock. It is a perfect tool for fisherman, as it gives you pressure readings and also provides a history of the pressure. The history is perfect for studying patterns of pressure. Indicators help you to see pressure movements just prior to a drop from the high to low, for crazy bite sessions. i.e. Bass, Mangrove Jack & Barra.  The history also helps you keep a record of hot bites and Barometer pressure to record in your personal fishing diary. The humidity reading is also helpful for some species like Mangrove Jack. It also reminds us when to take extra water fishing and dress for coolness.

The moon phase is helpful and another factor to consider in the fishing diary. It is well documented that fishing is better at different times in the lunar cycle. The tide indicator will also help with different fishing spots, that need extra water or very low tide spots. Some fishing spots need an extra low tide to fish it or an extra high tide. The tide indicator will help you understand that the next tide will either be small low, or high low tide. On the other hand, it might be a small high tide or a large high tide. This feature will help in choosing fishing locations.

• Hi Precision Barometric Weather Forecasts
• Register Maximum 3pcs Remote Sensor (1pc Included)
• 5 Weather Icons: Sunny, Partial Sunny, Cloudy, Rainy & Stormy
• Indoor & Outdoor Temperature
• Indoor Humidity
• Past 12 Hour Pressure
• Trent Indicator
• Real Time Pressure Level Readout
• Min/Max Memory
• Extended Backlight
• Perpetual Calendar
• Snooze Alarm
• 12/24 Hour, C/F Selectable
• Transmission range 30m (100ft)
• Moon and Tide Phase

Weather Pod

Designed and engineered with the state-of-art technology and components, the Weather Pod provides accurate and reliable measurement of inside and outside temperatures, humidity and weather forecast.

• Digital Barometer with Real Time Pressure Readout
• Past 12 Hours Pressure History
• Hi Precision Barometric Weather Forecast
• Resolution: Sunny, Partial Sunny, Cloudy, Rainy, Stormy
• Digital Thermometer
• Indoor Humidity
• Max / Min Memory for Temp and Humidity
• Quartz Clock
• Moon Cycle
• Snooze Alarm
• Full Calendar Display
• C/F 12/24 Selectable

It is a digital Barometer with Thermo Clock and is our standard weather unit. This unit has internal sensors and does not have wireless function for outside readings.

Kokoda Zone Moon, Tide, Sunrise, Sunset Watch.

Tide Zone (TM) is a digital watch that provides Tide, Future Tide, Normal Time, Chronograph, Alarm and Timer function.

Features
Tide

• Tidal times and graphical tidal highs and lows can be displayed for a set, listed location per day.
• Extra Australian zones added
• Show Moon Age at top of display
• Daylight Savings Time (DST) can be turned on or off for a location that follows DST.

Future Tide

• Date can be selected for showing Tidal times and graphical tidal highs and lows for a set, listed location

Time

• Show moon age at top of display.
• Show Sunrise / Sunset time at the bottom of display.
• Normal Time presets Hour, Minute, Second, Month, Date, Year and day of week.
• User selectable normal time and duel time.
• 12/12 HR display format optional.

Chronograph

• 1/100 second resolution in the 1st hour, 1 second resolution for the rest.
• With Max. working range 23hrs. 59min. 59sec.
  
• 10 second for showing Split/Lap time.

Alarm

• 4 Date Alarms that can be referenced to both normal time and dual time.
• Hourly Chime signal.

Timer

• Countdown Timer supports Countdown Stop (CS), Countdown Repeat(CR) and Countdown UP (CU) options.
• Timer with working rage of 1 second to 9hrs. 59min. 59sec.

Electro-luminescent backlight
3 seconds light up EL backlight.

It is a fantastic tool for the smart fisherman, the watch gives you regional settings for future tide, sunrise and sunset. Along with moon phase and general watch features.

Look out for the weather Pod and Tide Zone Combo deal for around RRP$120.00 dollars in all good quality tackle outlets by Easter 2006.

Print posted @ Monday, June 18, 2007 4:15 PM