Front-Driven Feeding Frenzies

By Kyle Johnson

Unfortunately for many of us, fishing is one of those activities that seems to get put on the back burner. Anything from having kids to a new career can make time spent on the water seem a little more short than sweet. After what has seemed like a decade, which in reality was only about seven days, you finally have that free time to get out and catch some fish. The problem is it’s raining; so now what?

Now I’m not saying to go fishing when the weather radar is lit up like a Christmas tree with reds and yellows, but don’t let a little rain ruin your fishing trip. Dr. Mike Anderson is one of the most die-hard fishermen along the Mississippi coast. When it comes to fishing in the rain, he knows a thing or two. “I’m a lot more cautious if the storms are coming from the north,” said Mike. “If you’re out at the islands (barrier islands) or the Louisiana marsh and the storms are coming right toward you (from the north), you can’t go around them. You have to run right into them, and that’s why I don’t go out if there is any red or yellow on the radar coming from the north.”

Mike claims that, “Impending changes in pressure stimulate feeding frenzies, especially in speckled trout.” I couldn’t agree with him more. We agree that trout know when a storm is coming, and they want to feed before it happens. It’s important to try and find clean water when looking for trout before, during or after a rainstorm. Some things he looks
for are grass beds, oyster reefs, or anything else that helps to filter out the water, but clean water is not all that he is looking for.

Mike also tries to find that interface where dirty water and clean water meet. “When you can see a line of dirty water coming out of a drain, I will purposely go there and fish right on the edge where the dirty water meets the clean,” he said. He believes speckled trout use the dirty water as a camouflage, and they flash out into the clean water attacking bait. He also said that, “It can’t be all dirty water, because then there isn’t enough oxygen and there will be too much sediment in the water. There has to be both clean and dirty water for this to work.” His favorite lures to use in this circumstance are suspending MirrOlures like the 7m, MirrOdine and 51m.

One last tip is to try and stay as dry as possible. I prefer the Gill IN31 Inshore Lite Jacket and Trousers. If you are not accustomed to doing things in the rain, being as comfortable as possible will help. Hopefully next time you won’t let a little rain keep you from getting out there and catching some fish!

For more solid fishing info, check out Kyle Johnson’s website and blog at www.kylejohnsonfishing.com.

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