Do you avoid rainy days on the water? You could be missing out! Many don’t realize that rainy day bass fishing is highly productive, since the rain cools the water, making bass more active and likely to feed. Overcast skies reduce light penetration, causing bass to venture out from cover and increasing their vulnerability. Rain also stirs up the water, creating favorable conditions for using noisy or flashy lures that attract bass. Additionally, fewer anglers on the water because of inclement weather, leads to less fishing pressure, providing a more peaceful and potentially rewarding fishing experience. If you’re willing to tough it out, rain can be your best friend when it comes to bass fishing.
Here is our list of rainy day bass baits that really work!
1. A Texas Rig
The Texas Rig works fantastic in the rain, but you’ll want to employ the snag-free version. Use either a hook guard or pop the hook tip back into the worm body. Stuff like weeds or other debris is hard to see in the rain, so make adjustments as necessary.
2. A Carolina Rig
The Carolina Rig gives great action if you keep it up on top or near the top of the water. The bass are already stirred up when it’s raining, and something like a Carolina rig drives them over the edge. Try a lighter-colored worm with this to make it stand out better against the dark water.
3. Crank Bait
These are pleasantly old-school and just the thing for rainy days. You want to keep this bait moving, so the bass think it’s a little critter trying to escape. This is nice because the constant action will help keep you warm while it’s pouring down on you. Hey, not every day can be sunny.
4. Bait Frog – Real or Artificial
Bass are more active in the rain because everything else is active as well. A soft body frog bait, or the new ‘Popping Frog’ is the perfect candy for big bass during a rainstorm. The fish assume it’s a regular frog out for a stormy swim. A bait with a hook guard is the preferable choice, as the popping frog has. Both largemouth and smallmouth love a nice meal of frog on a rainy day!
5. A Wacky Worm Rig
As previously mentioned, bass and everything else is active during a rainstorm. A wacky worm rig gives great action and the bass assume it’s a real worm knocked loose by the downpour. Keep the rig moving and you can’t miss.
6. A Bobber And A Real Worm
A classic is a classic for a reason, because it really works! Cast this one into a spot with a little bit of cover and keep the distance from the bobber to the worm relatively short. Just give the setup a jerk now and then to give it some action, and the bass will show up in no time. I use this approach off my dock regularly and especially during rainy days.
Final Bass Thoughts
Lets face it folks, rainy days are great for fishing because for one thing, the rain cools and oxygenates the water, it also invigorating fish and increases their feeding activity. Overcast skies reduce light penetration, making fish more comfortable venturing from cover. The rain’s noise and disturbance can mask anglers’ presence, reducing fish wariness. Additionally, rain can wash insects and other prey into the water, attracting fish to the surface. Combine that with 6 proven rainy day bass rigs, and you are ready to head out! Tight lines and we will see you on the bass waters!