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Sudden Drops In Temperature Halt Regular Feeding Patterns

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 30, 2008

Updated: 11/30/2008 01:21 am

This week, the lunar influence produces an afternoon bite which will work well as it triggers fish to feed just as the water temperatures reach the daytime high somewhere in the low 60s and maybe even in the middle 60s in the shallow areas.

Last week - and all of November - was trumped by several cold front weather conditions, which resulted in water temperatures dropping into the low fifties and fish literally stopped biting; abandoning daily migration patterns as their metabolisms slowed down almost to a stop. Fish fed for short sporadic periods and very lightly at best, from their secondary holding areas - normally used for suspension and not feeding.

The major daily feeding migration will occur from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the next three days. On a scale from 1 to 10, it will rate somewhere between a 3 to 5 at best. To make matters worse, the weather forecast predicts very high winds today and a new moderate cold front to arrive on Tuesday. If this holds true, Monday will be the best of the next three days to head out onto your favorite lake.

If Monday's weather happens as expected, the water temperatures will be warm enough to enable fish to feed within a recognizable pattern as the barometer drops. All three are necessary criteria for the angler's afternoon success.

There is no real early morning bite, unless you consider 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. as "early morning." However, with the steadily increasing waxing moon phase in operation by the end of the week an early morning bite will form and anglers should start to see very good results in the shoreline areas again.

Fishing Facts

Florida fish this time of year feed heaviest at the tail end of a warm front weather pattern when the barometer drops.

The lower water temperatures, combined with an atmospheric pressure decline, signals to the fish that they better bulk up by feeding aggressively for a longer than usual period. Such will be the case on Monday and it should be your best chance for a successful venture.

Fishing Formula

It's hard to arrive at a successful working formula when weather conditions create significantly lower water temperatures than is seasonally normal for this time of year. Sudden drops in temperatures always halt regular feeding patterns and force fish to adjust by moving throughout the lake until they find the most suitable area for feeding.

Because of this fact, the suggested formula is to move quicker than usual through areas that usually produce, from the shallows toward the deeper secondary structures using a very slow action and retrieve. The key here is to locate where the fish moved to, which is not very far from where they normally are, and not stay too long in one place wasting time hoping a fish will end up finding your bait.

Remember if you locate fish and use long pauses and slow action, and smaller bait, your chances of promoting at least one fish to pick-up your bait are much greater, just keep moving until this slow approach works. Cover lots of area with this slow method of presentation, it is the only way to work in tough adverse conditions.

One thing for sure, power fishing won't cause any "takers" in colder-than-normal water temperatures, you have to drop it next to them and wear out their patience.

Fishing Fiction

"Fish feed every day."

This is not true; some fish (very large fish) won't feed every day when water temperatures drop dramatically and suddenly.

In fact, the largest bass in the lake might forego feeding for more than 24 hours and remain suspended. In the case of exceptionally high winds combined with very sharp drops in temperature, bass will move to the most protected lake bottom area and wait until the weather stabilizes.

Fishing Feature

This past week I spent three days on Lake Istokpoga and struggled to find fish. Once I located fish, I had to literally sit down after casting and "dead stick" the bait for several minutes before moving it forward a 1/2 inch.

Just for kicks, I even tried shiners while I offered my favorite artificial baits. Even the shiners gave up and died while waiting to be eaten. The only biting fish I found where in two to three feet of water in very thick vegetation which had small openings scattered throughout. It was in these types of cover that letting the bait sit promoted the rare short-strike.

In speaking to many anglers on Istokpoga one resounding lamentation was proclaimed, which was, "Did you find any fish, 'cause I sure as heck didn't."

Fishing Flash

"News Flash" - There are fish in the lake, yes, all lakes do have fish in them and the good news is they have to eat sometime in the future. Also, I hear boat cleaning supplies are on sale in many of the local stores.

Fishing Tournaments

The Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public. Next event is Dec. 6 on Crooked Lake. Time: 7:30 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp - entry fee $30.00 per boat. One person may fish alone if you do not have a partner. For information, contact Paul Tardiff at 863-385-8007 (home) or 863-446-1310 (cell), email bassbutchie60@aol.com or call Dwight Ameling at -863-471-3305.

Dave Douglass is a bass-fishing guide and bass tournament angler and CEO of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes, Inc. He can be reached at 863-381-8474, or e-mail him at davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org.

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