Fishing Boat Guide: When Is the Best Time to Go Fish?
If you’re planning to go on a fishing boat outing, you’ll have more or less success depending on several factors, including the tides and the weather. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can figure out when the best times to fish are, whether you’re going off the coast or heading inland for some freshwater fishing instead.
Thayer's Marine is your local fishing boat dealer in Norwich, Connecticut. Here are some methods you can use to determine the best times to go fishing.
1. Check a Fishing Calendar
For accurate information about the weather, tides, and other conditions that can affect your fishing success, consult a fishing calendar. Many online apps exist now that you can easily download to your smartphone and check for up-to-the-minute wind, tide, temperature, and precipitation conditions in your precise area. You can even use them to plan your fishing boat trip from home so that you know exactly where to go when it’s time to head to the water.
2. Ask a Fellow Angler
One great way to get the information you need about fishing in a given area is to ask your angler friends about their success rates. Experienced fishers will likely have the inside scoop on the best places to go, along with the most productive times to fish. You can even ask in local bait shops near waterways to see if anyone on the staff has ideas for you. You can also check fishing forums online to see what other fishers recommend.
3. Avoid Midday Fishing
The best times to fish will generally fall during cooler hours, especially in the summertime. Avoid fishing during the middle of the day when the sun is at its zenith, since this will be the hottest time of day. The sun’s heat will warm up the surface of the water, which forces fish to swim deeper. Try to fish during the early morning hours or in the evening when the sun is closer to the horizon and the temperatures are cooler. Cloudy days are also going to be more productive.
4. Use a Fish Finder
Different types of fish swim in different depths, so if you’re trying to find a specific fish, you’re going to want a fish finder. Fish finders can let you know whether there are any fish swimming beneath your fishing boat and how deep they are. A fish finder device is easy to come by and uses sonar waves to detect movement. Using one can save you a lot of time and effort by allowing you to cast your line exactly where the fish are likely to bite.
5. Consult a Water Temperature Gauge
If the weather has been consistently hot for several days, the fish in a shallow lake or river will grow sluggish. This also happens in the winter after a cold snap. Why? Fish are cold-blooded, which means that they aren’t able to regulate their body temperature, so it changes based on their surroundings.
High or low water temperatures also lower the amount of oxygen in the water so fish become less active and pickier. If the weather has been especially hot or cold lately, you may not want to attempt fishing. You can use a water temperature gauge to get an accurate read on the water’s current conditions, which should help you determine whether you’ll be successful or not.
We hope these tips help you maximize your productivity out on the water. Still in search of a fishing boat? Visit us to see the great selection of aluminum fishing boats and ski boats for sale here at Thayer's Marine in Norwich, CT. We are proud to serve all those in Springfield, Massachusetts.