so i was planning on heading out in the morning but then it ended up raining all afternoon today. ive heard that fishing after rain isn't always the best because the rain washes all kinds of stuff into the water that the fish feed on and then there isn't much of a bite afterwards. any oppions? do you think fishing after rain is worth a shot or just a waste of time? if you think its worth it, are there some baits that would work better than others in this situation?

The best time to go fishing is when you've got time to go fishing. Should it happen to be after a rain, then it is after a rain. The basic formula doesn't change. (Basic formula, according to In-fisherman Magazine, Lindner era is: Fish + Location + Presentation = Success) You can go to the In-fisherman web site and research this in their archives as they expound on this formula in extreme detail.

Me, when I go fishing after a rain, I figure that the water will be a little more cloudy than usual, which generally means that fish will locate somewhat shallower. With soft plastics, my approach will be to fish the first drop off from the bank and fish any shade pocket I come across in the 2 to 7 or so depth range.

I'll spend roughly half my time with soft plastics and half with reaction baits, like a spinnerbait/chatterbait or a square bill , maybe a medium diver until I determine an activity level

thanks for the input. i just got back. got there around 530am and started with a frog. got a few strikes but as soon as the fish hit it they spit it out. switched over to a senko after a bit and got a few small bites but just couldn't get them to commit. i'd probably do better if i didn't have to worry about when to leave. i stayed up all night and had to get home to get some sleep so i could go in to work at 4. thursday im actually off for a change so im gonna be out there all day.

I like it after rain especially in summer it will cool the surface temps here and make the fish really aggressive

Singing in the Rain and Fishing in the Rain. Two great songs!

Actually, fishing in the rain is sweet. The bass will feel the cold front (not going into details about this) and they feed.

After the cold front passes and you have blue-bird skies, the bass take a nap and they can be difficult, if not impossible, to catch.

So go fishing in the rain. Not thunder and lightning, but rain. Throw your topwaters, crankbaits and then plastics.

Remember, lightning can strike about 5-miles from the storm so at the first thunder you hear it is time to bail out and go home.

There are many articles about fishing during and after cold fronts. Suscribe to Bassmasters Magazine (you have to join BASS); FLW magazine (you have to join FLW); Bass Anglers Magazine; Bassin; and Bass Times to read about baits and techniques and to start your library with the articles you tear out of the magazines to read this winter and in the future.

And as posted above, THERE IS NEVER A BAD TIME TO GO FISHING, UNLESS YOU LIVE IN NEW ORLEANS AND YOU TRY YOUR LUCK ON CANAL STREET WHEN IT FLOODS!!!!

It really depends what type of rain; a storm with high winds and down pours is not safe to be out on the water.

Same with a high pressure cold front system, high winds make for tough fishing conditions.

Light rain, showers are ideal fishing conditions. Cloudy post frontal conditions with light wind have little negative affect of bass fishing.

If the rain raises the water level, the bass tend to go into the newly flooded areas and position near inflows and out flows to ambush prey and good fishing usually occurs.

High pressure post frontal conditions can be a challenge; the shallow bass tend to be less aggressive and tighter to cover; good time tp practice your flipping & pitching. Another option is going deeper and looking for bait and bass on structure and practice your drop shot or shaky jigs.

Get out there if it's safe and enjoy your time on the water and don't worry about things you can't control.

Tom