Continuing The Bluegill Quest on Scenic Smith Lake

My first trip on Smith Lake today was wind out the east and bluebird skies, and we all know what that means. According to the old timers back in the day, they would always say “wind out of the east fish bite the least and wind out of the west fish bite the best” I know this has some merit because one is actually fishing behind a front that has just passed through when the wind is out of the east, and from the west the front is approaching, which means the fish are more active. The bluebird skies derive from the front that has already passed through meaning clear skies with no cloud cover, hence bluebird skies. Another factor that really plays into this scenario is the barometer. In my opinion a good fishing barometer is essential for any serious minded fisherman. I know a lot of you guys don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing the times you go fishing, which makes the wind direction and the barometer a none factor; but for individuals like me who can fish anytime during the day and year, then the wind and barometer play a big part in when I take to the water. This is not to say I don’t go on lousy days, like today but when one has the time to fish as I do, why not make the most of it chasing those bluegill, crappie, bass and trout.

 



The end result of a very slow morning--the bigger bluegills were not in the nooks and not bedding, this big bluegill was on the rock wall--I landed some smaller females but this was all I could muster for the morning--I will count this guy putting me 74 away from my quest

 

Barometer Guide

 

     High Pressure (30.50 +) = Clear Skies = Fishing Medium to Slow = Fish slowly in deeper water or near cover.

Medium Pressure (29.70 – 30.40) = Fair Weather = Normal Fishing = Test lures, baits, and techniques to see what works.

Low Pressure (29.60 -) = Cloudy/Rainy Weather = Fishing Slows = Fish slowly in deeper water or near cover.

Rising Pressure = Improving Weather = Fish Slightly Active = Fish slowly in deeper water or near cover.

Stable Pressure = Fair Weather = Normal Fishing = Best time to test lures, baits, and techniques to see what works.

Falling Pressure = Degrading Weather = Best Fishing = the fish will attack anything you throw at them. (well, pretty much)

So, what is the best barometric pressure for fishing? Answer: When it’s    between about 29.90 and 30.90 and the pressure is rapidly falling. This is when you will find the fish most active and feeding.