Falling barometer and its effect of striper fishing

[Capt Harv]

Striper fishing in the rips has been getting better and better each week. More keeper size bass showing up too, but we must have caught 30 stripers this weekend that were between 27-28 inches that we let go. All our fish were caught on live pinfish of various varieties including spot, grunts, and croakers. The stripers seemed to have no preference. Our best day of fishing was on Sunday when the weather forecast kept most boats in. The morning started out with calm seas and overcast skies. We got to fish the whole incoming tide with the rain not starting till around 11 PM. The outer shoals held the most fish for us with the guys hooking up on almost every drift. As the day progressed the wind clocked around (counterclockwise is the direction when a low pressure system moves in)from the southeast to east to finally northeast. The winds started picking up and the rain started pouring but the guys kept catching so we kept fishing. The 77 year old man of the crew was high hook. I was happy to see him smiling so much. We had to hold him up so he could fight the fish, but he landed every fish he hooked. Much is written about how fishing is good when a storm approaches. Many folks say it is the dropping barometric pressure which the fish sense through their air filled swim bladders. My own thoughts are that this has little do to with the improved fishing. The change in pressure when a fish descends in the water column are much greater then a small percent change in barometric pressure. All scuba divers know that the pressure doubles every 30 feet. I think the fishing improves because of the initial calm winds and easterly winds which keep the water clean. Also baitfish often move toward the shoreline in Noreasters. Pictures attached of the flukasauruses that keep showing up (and released), the 31"-37" fish we brought home, and the birds facing into the NE wind as the rain poured. Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the 77 year old angler. Everybody was anxious to get out of their wet clothes, including me!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/Vetcraft/stripers080.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/Vetcraft/stripers083.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/Vetcraft/stripers085.jpg

[toolguy73]

Thanks, Capt.

[marinebuoy58]

Good Stuff Captain....thanx for the info..

[TheGeneral]

Excellent Capt. Harv., I enjoy your insight on all the topics you write about. MAKES SENCE TO ME. ARA & I will see you on Sat. Can't wait. Haig

[2005DreamboatWinner]

Our best day of fishing was on Sunday when the weather forecast kept most boats in.


you got that right Capt , those are the best days i have ever had while fishing for stripers , seems like they go on a feeding frenzy. it was on one of those days , i caught my 62.4 lber

[FlounderBob]

Thanks for the insight, you always seem to make sense of the issue.

[JimmyNic]

Thanks Capt. for the great info.

As for the Barometric pressure. I was thinking that this pressure is only "felt" to sea level and not below. Now I question that theory. If the pressure is pushing down on the water as well, it will effect the pressure as well as temperature of the water (Boyl's Law). These effects, i'm sure, are neglagible to humans but to fish they could be dramatic. I have a feeling the barametric pressure can be "felt" by fish as well.

I'm not sure if the "pre-front" therory is related to pressure change but I can't discount the effects of pressure yet.

One thing I know for sure...I want to fish with Capt. Harv.

[Timmy T]

you guys are making me feel better about Friday!

[Misconduct]

Nice Capt. Harv.


Thanks for sharing some of your unique info.

[TMAN]

Way to go guys !!! Thanks for the info :cool:

[Reel-ality]

Thanks Capt. Harv.

[MATDKAT]

Thanks Capt. Harv! I, along with quite a few other fellow Barners, I'm sure, always check out your comments.
Thanks again,