With the monsoon in its final throes, everyone is keeping a tab on the activities of fish. Do fish bite after rain? Is there a dip in their population? Do certain species stay hidden during monsoons?
These are just some of the questions on most anglers’ minds at this time of year. Whether it’s raining or not, fish bite after rain because their instincts prompt them to do so. So, if you love fishing as much as we do and want to know more about why fish bite after rain, keep reading!
What happens during a monsoon?
A monsoon is a seasonal tropical climate phenomenon characterized by a period of unusually heavy rainfall. It is a change of weather pattern caused by differences in temperatures between the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
The South Asian monsoon is a result of the collision between the cooler air of the Northern Hemisphere and the warmer air of the Southern Hemisphere. It begins with the rising of a low-pressure system in the Southeast Indian Ocean, which is accompanied by a shift in the wind direction towards the South-west.
The winds carry moisture from the oceans towards the landmass, which causes a build-up of clouds and rainfall. The monsoon is responsible for 50% of the world’s annual rainfall.
Why do fish bite after rain?
The water flow coming from the rainfall is responsible for bringing nutrients and other minerals that are critical for the survival of freshwater fish. So, they bite more during and after rainfall because the feeder rivers and other freshwater bodies overflow and bring in the necessary nutrients.
Where do these nutrients come from? All the nutrients in the soil are washed down to the rivers and lakes when there is heavy rainfall. The soil is rich in nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Fish require a variety of minerals and vitamins to build their bodies and swim freely in the water.
Fish can either feed on phytoplankton or zooplankton. Phytoplankton is the primary source of nutrients for fish, whereas zooplankton is their prey.
How to catch fish in the rain?
While fish bite more during rain, catching them is another matter. You need to be very careful with your approach and movement if you want to catch them. If possible, wait for the rains to slow down and the water flow to lessen.
Once this happens, you can easily fish. Fishermen recommend using bait that has a strong or pungent smell to attract fish. The smell of the bait will attract fish because they love that smell. If there is no bait around and you still want to fish, you can use a lure. Choose a lure with a strong smell and color to attract fish.
Which species stay hidden during monsoons?
Certain species of fish prefer to stay hidden during the monsoon. They hide in the deepest part of the water to avoid being detected by predators. These include the Barramundi, Silver King, Silver Trevally, Freshwater Barramundi, Catfish, and Eel.
Fish that can thrive in the monsoon are the Red Emperor, Indian Salmon, Silver Salmon, Giant Trevally, and Tadpole Goby.
The importance of timing and place
Timing and place are equally important when trying to catch fish after rainfall. You need to be very careful with the timing because it is not always that the fish bite during the monsoon.
Some of them might be hiding, and others might be migrating. You need to be at the right place at the right time to catch them. The best places to fish after rainfall are rivers, creeks, and ponds.
Summary
With the monsoon in its final throes, everyone is keeping a tab on the activities of fish. Do they bite more during rain? Is there a dip in their population? Do certain species stay hidden during monsoons?
These are just some of the questions on most anglers’ minds at this time of year. Whether it’s raining or not, fish bite after rain because their instincts prompt them to do so. So, if you love fishing as much as we do and want to know more about why fish bite after rain, we hope the article must’ve clarified it.
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