Reading the day's conditions
The same lake on two different days needs two different approaches. Each guide shows how to recognise the condition, what it does to where fish sit, and what to change on the rod.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy
Coloured or murky water
Rain, wind and boat traffic stir sediment into the water. Fish generally rely more on vibration, scent and silhouette than sight once visibility drops, so bigger, noisier and darker or brighter offerings usually outfish subtle ones.
Clear water in bright sun
When fish can see well and light is harsh, they tend to become more cautious rather than less active. Downsizing line and hardware, softening your approach and using shade and depth is usually more productive than fishing louder.
Wind and wave
Wind pushes surface water, warmth and food toward one bank, stirs up colour and oxygen, and changes how easy it is to present tackle. On most still waters the windward (downwind) bank is worth trying first, though a comfortable lee shore can still produce.
Water temperature and fish activity
Fish are cold-blooded, so water temperature governs their metabolism, appetite and where in the water column they sit far more directly than air temperature does. Presentation generally needs to slow down as water cools and can speed up as it warms, within the range each species tolerates.
Rising or falling water after rain
Rain changes a river or a rain-fed lake in stages: a rise brings colour and washed-in food and can trigger strong feeding; a flood can push fish into the margins or shut them down; a settling, clearing fall after a spate is often one of the most productive phases.
Light levels and time of day
Many species feed most confidently in low light — dawn, dusk, overcast weather and darkness — because they can hunt while remaining less visible themselves. Bright, high light tends to push feeding into shade, depth or the shortest low-light windows.
Tides for estuary and sea fishing
The tide moves water, food and fish on a predictable schedule, and matching your fishing to the state of the tide usually matters more than any other single factor in estuary and shore fishing. Learn the tide table for your mark rather than relying on a generic rule.
Atmospheric pressure and weather fronts
Many anglers believe falling pressure ahead of a front brings good fishing and a settled high shuts it down; the honest picture is that pressure change is real and worth noting, but the evidence behind precise feeding rules is much weaker than the confidence with which they're often stated.