You should use this information about storm fronts and rain to adapt to any situation you encounter on the water. Here are some specific, proven techniques you can use when fishing for bass before and after a storm. 

Coping with runoff and muddy water

Significant rain will cause muddy and dirty water that is seemingly impossible to catch fish in. Most of the lures you might use at any other time can be rendered useless when the water is very cloudy after a storm. 

This is a good time to use any rattling lures or others that cause high amounts of vibration as they are retrieved through the water. Since the water is very muddied and fish can’t rely on their vision, bass will use their other senses to pick up on bait fish. 

Dealing with waves and currents

The strong winds that come with an approaching storm also have an impact on fish through the increase in waves and currents. When the skies darken and clouds form, you can usually get a bite by fishing with a spinnerbait once the waves begin to rise. The water’s surface is more distorted when the waves are choppy and most bass will attack anything they see moving through the water at these times. 

Fishing along feeder streams where the current gets stronger after a rain is another good strategy for catching bass. 

Handling wind

The strong winds that a storm brings in will usually push most fish into deeper water where they can avoid the rough waters near the surface. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are known to suspend in deep water when the winds kick up and it’s a good idea to use weighted lures to reach them. 

Big fish are known to venture down into the depths and stage near the mouths of creeks where they can catch unsuspecting smaller fish that might wander down into deeper water to also avoid the storm. 

Find where bass are hiding

It can be a challenge to find bass before or after a storm, but there are some proven bass fishing tactics that make it easier to pick up bites at these times. 

Fishing with a motionless lure like a trick worm right before a storm when the pressure begins to drop is an outstanding strategy as it drives bass crazy. By slowly twitching it and working it through cover, you can draw strikes from fish that are biting out of sheer instinct. ‘

After a storm, it’s best to fish in deep water with trick worms or any other lure that’s capable of reaching the depths where bass will go to find refuge from the heavy rains and winds. Lure choice

You might still be able to use your favorite lure during times when storms have just moved through. You’ll often have to make repeated casts and figure out whether you need to slow down your retrieve or add in some more twitching motions to entice fish to bite at these times. 

You can also force fish to strike around a storm front by pausing your retrieve. This is a good tactic when using lures such as jerkbaits because fish will bite what seems like a confused or disoriented bait fish. 

Seasonal storms: are summer storms the same as spring and fall?

Fishing during or after stormy weather is not always the same. These fronts can have very different impacts on fishing during different times of the year. 

In summer, storms will often bring cooler water and force fish into deeper areas. However, in the spring and fall, a strong storm might warm the waters a bit and bring them into the shallows. 

Fishing during the spring and fall storms are also not as dangerous as those of the summer. During these mild months, you’ll get weather systems that move through and dump significant amounts of rain into the lake or river, but there’s much less of a chance that you’ll need to take shelter to avoid serious thunderstorms or even tornados. 

You should be aware that summer storms are quite dangerous as they will certainly bring more threats of lightning and higher winds due to the higher temperatures. If you’re fishing during the summer months and you start to see a dark storm approaching, it’s a good idea to cut your losses and head back to the dock. 

Advantages to bass fishing after a storm

Fishing before and after a storm doesn’t have to be as hard as some anglers make it out to be. If you’re an aspiring tournament angler who wants to be successful on any fishing trial at any time of the year, you’ll have to master the art of fishing around storms and various pressure systems. The best way to learn how to fish during these times is to get out on the water and practice.