merrimac river report and weather question...

[AT Grimaldi]

Fished the mouth to the jetty and ocean front of the Merrimac tonight at high tide per a recommendation.

Nothing. There was lightning and intermitent showers and I think that shut the fishing down. Talked with two chunkers and they said they saw a 38" striper taken before the weather turned south.

Can anyone comment on how high/low fronts and lightning/rain typically affect fish?

AT

[FireFly]

I've had some of my best action during snotty windy and rainy days/nights.
I would think that on Joppa it would be difficult for the stripers to track "prey" when the waves are constant and its pouring rain but I assure you this is not the case as they seem to be more active for some reason.

But having done it a few times I question if its really worth being soaked head to toe. I'm starting to think not...

[Pisko]

Light rain, heavy rain or any rain is good for fishing. Some of my most productive days have been in the rain. Overcast and clouds are also good (unless your site fishing).

Fronts definitely impact the fish! In my experience, the fishing slows the day the front is moving through the area and picks up immediately after it passes. Not sure but I believe it has something to do with the barometric pressure (would be easy enough to find out on Google).

All tides are fishable; however, not all spots are fishable at all tides. I will not give you specific spots at the Merrimack; however, moving water is best. Look for rips sand bars and structures that disturb the water. At this time of year beachfronts on the incoming can be productive.

I can go on and on, but time on the water and trying new things is best, and what I enjoy about the fly fishing experience.

Good luck.
Dino

[Bob Parsons]

They were reporting a 14' whaler was capsized at the mouth of the Merrimac. Luckly a boat was returning and saw them in the water. One spent the night in the hosp. for hyperthermia.

[jetyjumper]

One of my best outings last year was in the rain and fog , visibility was maybe fifty yards , need the gps for shore, but fish were busting all over the river/joppa, my cousin and I had no stop action for a couple of hours, I feel the weather had a affect.

[sandy]

Along the lines of Piskos post, what I've always heard is that low fronts coming through cause the striper's bladders to inflate which irritates them. While they're irritiated they don't eat. Once the front goes through they gorge themselves after not eating for a while. Who knows if its true but I've heard it from several old salts on the dock.

[tmillerzzz]

I have always been a beliver in barometric pressure changes affecting the feeding "mood" of fish. However in this months Saltwater Fly Fishing (nice front cover this month too) there was an article on this. The article mentiond that due to the density of water as compaired to air, a 6 inch wave creates more of a pressure change than any barometric change could and in a fraction of the time. The article basically said the barometer affecting fish was basically bunk.

I still think fishing is better on a falling or low barometer. Maybe its a confidence thing.

Link to magazine subscription page if your intrested, usually has some good stuff. http://www.flyfishingmagazines.com/magazine_sff.shtml