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High pressure system and it's effects on fishing


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Hey folks,

I and 3 others are coming up on Thursday night to fish for a long weekend. I see a high pressure system sitting just west of us. Assuming it will move in our direction how will it affect the fishing this time of year? Thanks.

gspman

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gspman,

I've tried for years to figure out weather patterns and how fish relate/respond to them. Just when I think I have it figured out, the fish will shut down on what I have thought will be a "good day." frown.gif Nevertheless, here is my personal opinion on LOW walleyes: I think that a high pressure system is good. Furthermore, I think that consistent high pressure is better. That is, if I find myself in the middle of a string of 4 or 5 days of high pressure, I typically do well on LOW. Its when those storm fronts, and accompanying low pressure systems move in that I have noticed the fishing slow down. I have personally been sitting in the Wigwam and watched the locals hop off of their barstools and break for the lake in reaction to a weather forcast that shows the barometric pressure rising. Once again, this is my personal experience. I'm sure others might have different opinions. Take it for what its worth and hope for sunny clear skies!!

Jared

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I agree to some extent, but i really don't think it has as much as an effect on lotw as it has on other lakes.

I've been up there when a low perssure system moved in and done very well. On other lakes it seems to make a bigger impact, i don't know why. I would still rather have a few days of consistant pressure or a high pressure system move in rather than low pressure, but in my experience those eyes on lotw don't respond the same as other lakes.

This post is worth 5 cents.

Walt.

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Steady high pressure is good.

Approaching low is good/better.

The day after the low passes can be a challenge. Fish deeper, and downsize. I believe the Linders would say, "Fish harder, smarter for less" on those days.

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Unless you are very mobile during the hard water season, the wait between bites makes you think the fish have "turned off", when in reality, they are simply not there. Another thing to remember is that LOW is not a clear water lake, so fish do not see your bait from as far away as other bodies of water. This is especially evident using eletronics. With the use of my Vex, I have made the following observations.

1. During a period of steady high pressure, fish on the graph (near the bottom) will more often than not, follow and take a jigging spoon. It can take quite a while to trigger the strike, and a very slow action seems to work best.

2. Fish on the graph during rising or unsteady high pressure are difficult at best to catch using a jigging spoon approach. Dead sticks will probablly produce more bites, and even those will be light.

3. Dropping and low pressure times have the most active fish. A more aggressive jigging routine tends to produce solid hits, without much finessing required.

4. Fish that are up off the bottom during any frontal condition are normally hungry, and you should get your bait in front of them.

5. If you are ice fishing without electronics, you are missing a lot of fish.

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10-4 on the electronics. It's simply amazing the amount of fish you can coax into biting, as you watch, and adjust your presentation to the fishes reaction.

My favorite is to lift and shake a jigging spoon, higher, and higher until they either commit, or not... If not I drop to the bottom, shake the bait on the bottom, then start over again after the fish comes back down.. There isn't too many fish that won't commit to the 2nd go around. At least if they are fairly turned on.

Playing keep away with pauses, and shakes is deadly.

PS: Playing keep away on Muskies boatside can work like a charm too!

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Good info guys. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and research. I'd sooner leave home without my rod, than my Vexi!!! bill

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Thanks guys, I'm with you on the electronics. I don't know how people can ice fish without a flasher. It seems so futile without one.

gspman

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