Does heavy or consistent rain effect topwater bites?

[LWW]

This weekend I was quite surprised to find the topwater bite so very disapointing around Shell Knob. The weekend before I couldn't keep up with the TW bites.. and last weekend I can't even remember seeing an eruption on the surface.

Does anyone have any theories on what effect a heavy or consistent rain on the surface of the water does to our friends under the water? Sat. and Sun. it seemed like it put them to sleep.

Hopefully they'll be back to their normal mood next weekend!

LWW

[riverrat]

In my opinion a light drizzle will actually help a topwater bite, but any more than that creates too much 'background noise' for the fish to find the lure. Had this same conversation with one of the best fisherman I know and he said to switch to a spinnerbait under these conditions. Riverrat

[SRV1990]

Interesting theory, and the forecast calls for some rain over the next three days. Hmmm......

[Sam]

The best I can figure, fish bite best when the weather has been STABLE for two or three days. High pressure, low pressure, rain, etc. don't seem to matter as much as the fact that changing conditions turn them off.

Those "bluebird days" right after a rain passes through are especially bad for me. I've had real good luck on dry days when a storm is coming in (dropping pressure), and when it first starts raining that often improves fishing at first.

I think heavy rain, thunder, and lightning scare the fish and stop them from feeding. Lots of times I've been catching fish then had to take shelter from a thunderstorm. I've never done any good, though, when I go back out after the storm passes. With the way water conducts sound, a heavy rainstorm must be pretty scary for the fish.

[Bill Babler]

On Table Rock lake, about 90 percent of the topwater action occures as bass push bait fish to the surface to break the schools into smaller groups or singles for consumption. And I must preference that we are talking about Table Rock. The majority of our topwater action is on spotted bass and whites.

Other topwater bites can occur on shallow gravel and bluff ends in the timber or the cedars. Usually the gravel means smallies and the timber means either blacks or spots.

When the spots are pushing the shad, it's usually early or late and the topwater bite on the gravel or the bluffends are the same. This is due to low light situations in which the predators feed on a more consistant basis.

It is not uncommon at all for the bite to disapear at the knob. It will be back however it is not the predominate way to catch those shell knob fish. You have to keep the boat traffic down for a good morning bite. With all the shriner traffic it is just to much. Good Luck

[Don House]

Just up there is morning, started at 6:30am and by the way the topwater bite is back, really good.. Ended by 8:30am.. Changed up and had a really good fluke bite all day, All spots and blacks..

Good Fishing

Good Fishing