Need Advice: Bass fishing on Cloudy Day

[Bergen Angler]

I am still new at bass angling and I need advices from BASS Elite Pros here. I read somewhere that bass fishing is good during cloudy day. But this Sat. & Sun, I caught nothing but yellow perch and NO Bass. Did I read it wrong? what kind of bait is good during cloudy day? I tried bright color crank bait and spinner as well as buzz bait. I also tried soft plastic lizard on Texas rig.

[Lard Almighty]

I'm far from being a BASS pro, but I've run into similar situations before. Don't assume that just because there is cloud cover that fishing will always be good. There are many other factors to consider as well: barometric pressure, water temperature, water clarity, and weather stability, just to name a few. For example, with all the storms coming through the past week the fish have been unable to settle due to near constant changes in temperature and pressure. Add to that the fact that rainwater is changing water levels, temperature, and clarity. When faced with these changes, fish of all kinds usually get uncomfortable and don't feed as much. During these times it is best to do as the fish do: wait until the weather stabilizes and then try your luck. Chances are the fish will be on the feed in a couple of days (provided no other big weather systems come through). If you still want/need to fish at these times, then it is best to focus on deeper water that is not as affected by changes in barometric pressure or influx of stormwater, bearing in mind that you may encounter fewer active fish regardless.

[Bergen Angler]

Thanks Almighty. I was using 1 oz buzz bait to catch the big one - just caught a few little quite Ambitious yellow perch. I tried different colors, different size, etc. I figured that rain would add oxygen level and the bass would be more active - water temp has gone down to around 75 degrees also. I tried slow fast slow etc. As always, I just blame myself for not catching bass - Mea Culpa. Water level definitely rose at least 5-6 inches over the last few days. I was also chasing after bait fish - they were very active last few days. And tried to fish over the "pond scum"/plankton.

[ChaosStarter]

Immediately before a warm/cold front rolls through is always best. A cold front, no matter how hot or cold outside, can throw things off, especially if it causes a significant drop in water temp.

[kcritch]

I agree with both post below....before a change or on the incoming I've had good success. During the change and just after it gets tougher. The deeper water suggestion definitley works if you can get to it. If not, say if you are fishing from shore, I have also had success targeting as far up into a feeder creek as I can get the day or two after a rain storm. If the water is not too muddied up that new water can pull some fish up into it. Moving water, more oxygen, and I think a good supply of new food getting washed into the flow. Larger "run off" feeds can also have the same result in the smaller ponds. Especially if there is a little depression or "mini channel" that is formed by them. Again these are usually easy to reach from shore.

Good luck.

[ChaosStarter]

Originally Posted by kcritch

I agree with both post below....before a change or on the incoming I've had good success. During the change and just after it gets tougher. The deeper water suggestion definitley works if you can get to it. If not, say if you are fishing from shore, I have also had success targeting as far up into a feeder creek as I can get the day or two after a rain storm. If the water is not too muddied up that new water can pull some fish up into it. Moving water, more oxygen, and I think a good supply of new food getting washed into the flow. Larger "run off" feeds can also have the same result in the smaller ponds. Especially if there is a little depression or "mini channel" that is formed by them. Again these are usually easy to reach from shore.

Good luck.

Definately agree with that.