Before you Cast, Check the Forecast!

Sure, when you wake up the morning of a planned fishing excursion, you’ll check the local news to get a handle on the day’s weather – but that’s not the only forecast you’ll want to review.

There are actually many elements that affect not only your physical enjoyment on the water, but the way the fish will be biting that day, and, there are general rules of thumb to follow on a season by season basis.  For example: in the early spring, some of the best fishing typically happens in the early-to-mid evening hours due to cooler morning water temperatures.

But overall, you should not only check out the weather forecast, but also water temperature, tide times, and fishing reports to make the most of your experience.  Because it’s calm and cool on a North Carolina shore doesn’t mean a storm farther south isn’t affecting water conditions. Storms and changing weather patterns affect fishing success since fish are keenly attuned to changes in barometric conditions. With many fish, feeding increases during the hours immediately before a cold front, but slows during and after a storm or front hits.

You can find just about all of the forecasts and conditions information you’ll need right on our website. Just head to www.takemefishing.org/state and select your state of choice. Then click on the “Fishing” tab and check out the Fishing Reports and Local Conditions sections. We’re your one-stop-shop for fishing trip planning! (Not to toot our own horn or anything….)

So as you prepare for your next trip, make sure you’re keeping up to speed with all of nature’s elements!

---