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Why Rough Weather Can Mean Better Fishing
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To the uninitiated, it may seem counterintuitive that big fish bite better when the
weather worsens. But for tuna hunters, it’s a well-known truth. Rough conditions
can disrupt bait patterns and churn up nutrients from deeper waters, drawing
schools of baitfish to the surface. This, in turn, attracts predatory species like
yellowfin, bluefin, and bigeye tuna, creating a prime opportunity for anglers.
“In tougher conditions, the tuna are often more aggressive and less cautious,”
says Captain Jeremy Blunt, a long-time veteran of the Ocean City Tuna Tourna-
ments. “They’re feeding hard and fast. The turbulence masks our lines and lures
better, and that makes it easier to hook the big ones.”
Tuna, particularly bigeye, are notorious for their elusive and erratic feeding pat-
terns. Calm, sunny days can scatter schools and push them deeper into cooler,
darker water layers, making them harder to find and catch. But when the skies
cloud over and the swell builds, anglers often find that tuna feed more openly
and are more responsive to trolling spreads. In essence, rough conditions com-
press the food chain and bring the action closer to the surface.
This phenomenon isn’t just anecdotal. Studies on pelagic behavior have con-
firmed that many offshore gamefish respond to barometric pressure changes
and rougher surface conditions by becoming more active feeders. For tourna-
ment anglers with limited fishing windows, this behavior can turn a stormy day
into a lucrative one.
The 2024 Tournament: A Battle Against the Elements
During the 2024 Ocean City Tuna Tournament, competitors were met with just
such a challenge. With steady winds exceeding 20 knots and four-to-six-foot
seas offshore, conditions were anything but ideal. Several teams opted to sit out
a day, hedging their bets on improved weather. But those who ventured out were
rewarded with some explosive fishing.
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