I will be out on Saturday and it looks like it is going to be a full day of rain.  When fishing in rain do you do anything different from a tactics/technique perspective?  I have heard two extreme schools of thought ... finesse all the way vs. they will be more aggressive (aka power and more power).

 

Looking for your thoughts on how you handle fishing in the rain.

If its light or intermittent rain, I keep everything the same, in a downpour I upsize and fish faster. Of course there is rain with wind vs rain without wind, and that really makes it fun. The other thing to keep in mind is that runoff will create currents and/or color change boundaries that can really hold some fish. I like fishing in the rain.

The harder the rain the more aggressive they become. Big creature bait, big worm, or bulky jig in cover, spinnerbaits in more open areas.

I throw primarily reaction baits that require very little feel to detect strikes in heavy rain.  Light rain, I fish as I normally do.

Dark colors for soft plastics... Black is my favorite

Spinnerbaits. Big ones. And a rain suit. Good luck!

Large spooks or poppers, vary the cadence until you discover how they like it.

Don't go with a pre conceived notion ever if you can avoid it.  Let the fish tell you what's up that day.   Best advice I've seen here so far is get a good rain suit as being wet sucks in my book.   

 

I always approach each trip the same, fish for aggressive fish first if you can and then slow down accordingly if they are not chasing.   They've fooled me and many millions of others for a looooooong time by thinking we know what they want and will do on any given day.  Keep an open mind and a dry body and you'll have a good day I bet.

I personally have the best luck with jigs on rainy days, but it could be different in your case, when in doubt I throw the jig.

first bring a good rain jacket!

If the rain chops up the water enough I start chucking my reaction baits a bit more shallow.

If it is light rain and doesn't disturb the water (it's still clear) then I'd still fish the normal seasonal pattern.

Don't take your boat out in the rain. Your rod lockers will shrink and the next time you go out you will have to leave behind the rods that don't fit anymore.

A frog is an awesome bait to through in the rain, after the rain especially if you have the weeds.  In light rain I fish as normal, heavy rain is would use something that hooks them easy, reaction type baits.

fishing in the rain sucks!! unless it's for money, still sucks. That being said, one of the best days i've ever had was in a steady downpour fishing a bass tournament on Lake Ozark. Came in 7th, topwater bite all day..

I like staying shallow and cover a lot of water

Personally I love it. But a very light drizzle that is. Plus I live in Florida so it feels awesome. I can get enough of those slow drizzly fishing days. So calm, quiet, and cool.

Fishing in the rain sucks...............I never do it. LOL

Cavitron Buzzbait black skirt with gold blade

Unless the water is really muddy after the rain, then you need to find where muddy water connects with the clear water. Or, just fish normal...

Thanks all ... I used your advice on Saturday and it worked out extremely well.  It was cloudy all day with rain on and off.  Caught some nice fish!  Appreciate your help.