How Nature Helps Determine The Best Fishing Conditions

Long before “ipad man” arrived native and aboriginal people had to rely on nature’s online signs to know when the best time to go fishing was.  Now that we have all these new expensive fancy “toys” to help us find fish we don’t need natures signs, right? WRONG!

Whether it be the moon in the night sky, or the level of the tide, it all has a bearing on when is the best time to take your rod to the ocean and catch the proverbial big one.  There are many similarities between the method we use today to select the right time to go fishing, although with the advances made in technology over recent times, we have a lot more toys to help enable us to see at a glance when might be an ideal time to head for the waves.

Of course the moon plays a big part in determining the better times to fish. The moon is after all what controls the flow of the tides, and this is something that is still used to get the advantage today. Another thing that the moon does is shine light onto the night sea, a condition we here in Costa Rica call “Mucha Luna” or too much light.  This condition actually changes the feeding patterns of many species of fish who will eat all night long. Aside from this the full moon and the new moon both play a major role in the level of the high and low tides, and when the tides are higher during these cycles, the currents are also stronger. This in itself is a time when they tend to bite more often. Two species that are renowned for this behavior are the Sea bass and the Tuna.

Fish that live in tidal zone areas are more affect by tide swings. For example fish that live in coastal mangroves at low tide are more concentrated in deeper channels and not in the trees like they are at high tide.  

Fishing is not an exact science, and we can only take into account personal experience and the experiences of others to determine the best methods of catching more fish. However there is something that affects the feeding habits of most fish dramatically, that’s the barometric pressure. Barometric pressure is the atmospheric weight pushing down towards the ocean. Of course the pressure felt is determined by the height above ground zero you are, and the same can be said for the ocean levels and the fish.  

When the barometric pressure is high, the added weight on the water compresses the fish more to a point where they are almost lethargic. It is believed that this actually makes the fish less likely to bite as aggressively.  I suppose when you look at yourself and when you are feeling lethargic; you are less likely to want to go outside for a quick game of football.

Although the fish may be more lethargic during this high barometric pressure, it is thought that fish also become more territorial, staying in one location for longer periods than usual. It may transpire then that you can catch them more easily if you present slowly, and are persistent.  

The waters temperature also affects the fishing in a big way. As fish are cold blooded they need to rely on their environment to provide a comfortable temperature. Each of the species has a preferred temperature range for heightened activity. If you have the knowledge of which temperatures which fish prefer, you can actually hunt them out with a water temperature sensor. As a fishing guide here in Los Suenos, Costa Rica I use temperature and thermal clines, water movement and many other of natures online signs to help me locate inshore and pelagic species.  I use my computers too, but less than I do natures signals.

The ocean is a vast and complex eco system complete with all the sensors and signals we need to understand it.  They are all free and available for all of us to read with some simple tools, our eyes, ears, and brain!  I know this article won’t sell fancy onboard fish finders, but the fun truth is nature is her own best fish finder and through more fishing experiences you’ll gain a better knowledge of how to intrepid the information she presents, so you can reap the rewards.

FISH TILL IT HURTS….THEN FISH SOME MORE!!!

Capt. Jose

Angry Marlin Sportfishing, Costa Rica

www.angrymarlin.com