Bass Fishing on Rainy Days: Are Bass Easier to Catch When It Rains?

When you go bass fishing, you often hear people say,
“Rainy days are great for fishing!”
I have personally had many great experiences fishing on rainy days. However, it doesn't mean that you will always catch fish just because it is raining.
In this article, I, an angler with over 20 years of experience, will explain why rainy days are considered good for fishing and share some key points to keep in mind.
In conclusion, in many cases, bass tend to be more active and easier to catch on rainy days.
I hope you read this article and enjoy bass fishing on rainy days.

【Table of Contents】
1. Are rainy days really good for fishing?
2. Why rainy days are considered good for fishing
3. Points to target on rainy days
4. Recommended lures for rainy days
5. Precautions for rainy days

1. Are rainy days really good for fishing?
In reality, on many rainy days, bass tend to be more active and easier to catch.
Light rain or the start of a downpour is a particularly good opportunity. The rain changes the environment, causing bass, which are usually cautious, to actively pursue prey.

2. Why rainy days are considered good for fishing
Here, I would like to explain why rainy days are considered good for fishing.

Reason 1: Reduced light levels
Black bass prefer relatively dim environments. Fish that hide in deep water or shade on sunny days will move around over a wider area when the sky darkens due to rain.
They often move into:
・Shallow areas
・Cover near the shore
and similar spots.

Reason 2: The water surface becomes choppy
Raindrops hitting the water surface create ripples. This changes the view from the bass's perspective, making it harder for them to see human silhouettes or fishing lines. In other words,
"the bass's caution is lowered."
As a result, they are more likely to react to lures that they would normally ignore.


Reason 3: Baitfish moveWhen rain supplies oxygen to the water, bait such as small fish and shrimp become active. When the bait moves, the bass chasing them move as well.


Reason 4: The effect of atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure drops on rainy days. This causes the fish's swim bladder to expand, making it easier for them to float and increasing the chances of encountering them.

3. Points to target on rainy days
Next, the points to target on rainy days are:
・Inlets
・Shallows
・Around structures and cover
These are classic spots for rainy days.
Inlets are standard spots even on non-rainy days, but they become especially good when it rains. Also, temporary inlets created by rain that aren't usually there are also good spots.
Shallows are a good target because bass are more likely to move into them due to the rain.
Structures and cover are, of course, also good targets. Bass will stick to cover like trees, bushes, and seawalls even on rainy days. Cover that is hit by a current is particularly promising.

4. Recommended lures for rainy days
As for recommended lures for rainy days,
・Topwater
・Spinnerbaits
・Chatterbaits
are particularly strong. They have a presence even in murky conditions and allow you to efficiently search a wide area.
The topwater lure I especially recommend is the
"buzzbait."
Buzzbaits allow you to search a wide area at a good tempo and are extremely effective for bass that are focused on the surface due to rain and low pressure. The unique sound of a buzzbait can trigger bites not only from feeding instincts but also by exploiting the fish's territorial behavior. I have had experiences where I caught multiple fish in a row with a buzzbait on rainy days. As an aside, buzzbaits can sometimes produce explosive results even on sunny days.
Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits exert high appeal with strong vibrations when the water becomes murky or rises due to rain. They are effective even on days with heavy rain or wind, and can pull fish out even in inlets or strong currents.

5. Precautions for rainy daysThings to be careful about
While rainy days make it easier to catch fish, there are also dangers.
・Retreat immediately if you hear thunder
・Do not approach swollen rivers
・Do not push yourself in areas with poor footing
・Prepare rain gearLet's enjoy fishing with safety first.

Summary
On rainy days,
・Light levels decrease
・Bass caution is lowered
・Bait becomes active
・Inlets are created
and for these reasons, bass are often easier to catch. Light rain or the moment it starts raining is a perfect opportunity.
The days when you think,
“Maybe I should skip it because it's raining today”
are the very days you might encounter a big one.Please take proper safety measures and enjoy bass fishing that is unique to rainy days.

That's all for today.
See you again 👋