Barometric Pressure(BP) is defined as: a measure of atmospheric pressure, or the measurement of the air pressure in the atmosphere.Normal atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi, which is 29.92 inches on the barometric scale and just under 28.5 inches is low pressure and when the measurement is just under 31 inches is thought to be high pressure. BP scale is set up for use at sea level. When it is measured above or below sea level there is a correction factor used to correct it for the evaluation.
The BP theory basically states this:
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| www.thefishingnut.com/articles/barometer.html |
The people who believe in this theory feel that the BP has a great effect on where fish is found and how the fish act during the different levels of BP. Basically the thought is that when the BP changes it affects the fishes swim bladder and makes them feel uncomfortable. Think of the feeling you get when you are on an airplane and the cabin becomes pressurized at 1st you feel the difference but as time goes on you become accustom to it.For us humans it will affect our inner ear, the swim bladder in a way is the fishes inner ear; it is their balance mechanism.They feel this affects the fishes willingness to bite and feed. Also they feel it affects how tight or lose they relate to cover and structure. There is data out there that supports both sides of this theory.
But when I look at this whole theory and put into to my thought process when searching for fish, I find it falls way down on my list of factors in fish location. For me the things I need to know well before I have ever look at BP are as follows in this order:
- Water Temp
- Water clarity
- Water Current
- Forage
- Cover
- Amount of light entering the water
All of these things will have a drastic effect of where and when you will find your target species.Without understanding of these basic things, knowing BP will do nothing for you.Now I also do not want you to think that BP may have no part in how fish respond.Cause there has been sometimes when I have come in from a day of fishing and looked at the BP and the above theory held true. But I have had more days where the BP theory has not held true for me. Also I have read from many sources and have seen 1st had that BP has no effect on river fish.
If you have the 6 basic things of fish location down I say have at it if you want to add this to your thought process.But with one word of cation don’t ever let it affect heading out on the water or not.In this day and age many of us don’t get to go on the water enough.
Do you agree or disagree with this view? If so lets us know why, share your story and thoughts with us.Email us at outinmich@gmail.com
