When to Fish: Part 1 Temperature

A buddy just called and wanted to know when was the best time to fish. My answer, "When you can get out?" That seems flip, but it's quite true. One reason the "experts" catch more fish is they simply fish more. So they are there when the action happens. Perhaps the question should be, "When shouldn't you fish." Floods might be one answer to this except I once caught a nice steelhead in California's Feather River in the slackwater behind a flooded bathroom.

So what's involved. Basicly it's water temperature, light conditions, season and target species.

WATER TEMPERATURE

All fish have prefered temperatures with an upper avoidance level so hot they'll move away if possible, and lower avoidance temperatures that either send fish away or put them into such a low activity state they rarely feed. So start by determining the right temperature for the fish you seek.

You can adjust your fishing hours to compenstate for less than ideal temperatures in freshwater. Fish at night were legal or from dawn until the light hits the water if temperatures are too high -- this is especially effective on clear nights when waters cool faster than is the case with cloud cover.

Fish from about four until dark if temperatures are low, and the day's sun will warm things up.

There's a lot more to temperature. In saltwater you have currents of different temperature and, in littoral fishing, may have to go 50 or 100 miles offshore to catch the right temperature for target species, in for example, the Gulf Stream or on the left coast, Albacore country across the coastal California Current.

Temperature also influences methods. If the water's far too cold, or too hot, bait's the best choice and live bait with movement is usually better. Ice fishing, for example, finds water way below avoidance levels and fish that don't eat much. So why to they bite? Simple, there's not much available food.

At temperatures rise into the active zone slow moving lures like spinners, or various plastic baits are in order. Smaller is usually better when it's cold too. The fly flingers choices here are, of course, nymphs and perhaps streamers sized to the baitfish present.

At the top end of the temperature scale

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