Weather Influences - A year in summary

Bass fishing is subject to many influences and none more so than the weather. Below is a series of quick internal links of a month by month summary of the weather during the year and my personal notes as regards expectations of bass fishing.

Within each month you can click on links that will bring you to three years of reports from within this blog as they happened

Month one September
Month two October
Month three November
Month four December
Month five January
Month six February
Month seven March
Month eight April
Month nine May
Month ten June
Month eleven July
Month twelve August

Forecasting the weather - August - 12

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months –

The Month of August according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

August, like July, can be unreliable, with frequent heavy downpours of thundery rain, but there can also be warm weather. At least one good spell occurs.

There is hardly any danger of cold weather, although it can feel cool for the season in some years. The sea is warm for bathing. The heat of the sea helps the latter part of the month to be warmer, owing to its highest temperature.

Most areas can expect to experience good weather. Despite the unreliability of this month, because of the thundery tendency, there is generally at least one good spell, usually near the middle or latter part of the month.

The weeks of August

1st to 7th The first few days are often changeable and thundery, but the weather improves towards the end of the week

8th to 15th A good warm spell is probable at the beginning or end of this week

16th to 23rd Thunderstorms are frequent, either at the beginning or at the end of the week, with a fairly good warm period

24th to 31st There is often a short stormy interval with bright sunny and cloudy days intermingled. The alternative is a good warm spell lasting into September.

Bass Fishing; Your bass fishing during August can be as unpredictable as the weather. Many experienced anglers will say it can be one of the most difficult periods during what should be the height of the season. Fish turn up at expected locals and then strangely dont or you can be simply blown away by a magic session. There are many reasons and the challenges continue!

Rating 3/5

August Bass Fishing Experiences Here Here Here

Forecasting the weather - July - 11

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months –

The Month of July according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

This month is unreliable. There is generally a good deal of cloud and rain, mostly of the thundery character. This rain can be heavy but quickly over. It tends to be a less settled or sunny month. These are the worst features of July.

However, a heat wave spell can usually be relied on to come, generally around the middle or the end of the month. The nights are warmest in this month. The difference between day and night temperatures is the least. The sea is now warm enough for bathing.

Heavy thunderstorms at this time of year usually occur during the early part of the afternoon.

The weeks of July

1st to 7th Changeable, thunderstorm weather, with brilliant short spells of Sun

8th to 15th This is a more settled period with warm days gradually setting in, especially in the south.

16th to 23rd A warm spell can occur during this week with some doubtful thundery days too.

24th to 31st Usually there are sunny periods with warm temperatures at first, but gradually becoming more thundery at the end of the week

Bass Fishing: Cloudy dark days and warm nights, hot, humid misty south westerlies and clear white warm water can only lead to one thing- BIG FISH DAYS. Often one of the best months of the year with tides really pushing fish inshore through and towards the middle days of the month - opportunities can exist almost on demand.

Rating - 4/5
July Bass Fishing Experiences Here Here Here

Forecasting the weather - June - 10

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months –

The Month of June according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

This, normally, is the sunniest and one of best weather months of the year. Early heat waves often occur, particularly towards and during the latter half of the month. These, combined with the longer days, make it one of the most beneficial holiday months.

There may be occasional slight ground frost inland, but seldom if ever along the southern coasts. Some coastal fog may occur at times

The sea remains rather cool, warming towards the end of the month.

There may be frequent thunderstorms towards the end of the month. Sometimes there is one changeable period of a few days near the second week.

The Weeks of June

1st to 7th - Usually some bright sunny days, and occasional thunder. There are cool nights at times.

8th to 15th The weather is fairly settled, with increasing temperatures, but can feel cool in stronger breezes. Sometimes a changeable period occurs in this week.

16th – 23rd A good and fairly warm spell

24th to 30th There are sunny days with frequent thunderstorms.

Bass Fishing; The bass fishing season opens on the 16th of June and conditions should be nearly perfect now for their capture. Over the month of the close sea temperatures have slowly risen and light levels are at their highest. It’s often possible to fish three tides in some degree of light. Be ready and expect to catch fish consistently for the first time since September or October.

Rating 3/5
June Bass Fishing Experiences Here Here Here

Forecasting the weather - May - 9

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months –

The Month of May according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

This can be wonderful month of weather. Considerable amounts of sunshine usually occur. There is little if any prolonged heavy rainfall, mostly falling as short showers or thunderstorms. The most notable and damaging occurrence of the month is a tendency for a mid May frost, which blights early blossom and kills tender plants if they are not protected.
There are frequently erratic day and night temperatures; often very warm by day and cold by night.
During the calm spells of the month it is often dull with occasional showers in the eastern areas of the country, while fog is probable along the coasts.
This can be the driest and brightest month of the year. There is a really appreciable warmth to the sun by contrast to the previous months and this increases our sense of comfort and optimism.

The weeks of May

1st - 7th Some cool days, thunderstorms possible

8th - 15th A fairly good spell is probable with some warm days but a risk of night frost. It is liable to be dull at times in the east

16th - 23rd The weather is still liable to be dull and cool in eastern areas, but elsewhere there are often calm warm and sunny days, occasional thunderstorms and some night frosts.

24th - 31st Thundery showers - but bright sunny periods may be expected, especially towards the end of the week.

Bass Fishing: The first early days of May and the week just before the close of season are generally the first genuine opportunities that the fly and lure angler will have on the Wexford coast. See some examples HERE and HERE Water temperatures are rising now, encouraging foraging bass closer to the shore. But remember just as things begin to fire we have to stop fishing for the annual closed season. Midnight May 14th to Midnight June 15th.

Rating 2/5
May Bass Fishing Experiences Here Here Here

Forecasting the weather - April - 8

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months –

The Month of April according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

During this month there can be changeable weather, but on the whole it is fairly bright and sunny. Prolonged spells of heavy rain are very unlikely, and it usualy falls in light sharp showers.
During the calm sunny days it can be quite warm, but cool nights with frost usually follow. If a warm spell occurs a chilly one with dull dys usually follows.

If the latter part of March has been wet some fog can occur during quiet spelss of the month.
The sea around our coasts is still very cool and is slowly responding to the heat of the sun, it heats slower than the land hence coastal fog may occur at times.

1st to 7th - Can begin chilly, with occassional snow. The weather gradually improves later in the week.

8th to 15th - Frequently a short dry fine spell the n followed by showery weather

16th to 23rd - A changeable time, with mixed weather towards the end of the week

24th to 31st The week is usually unsettled at first, followed by the odd bright days and occasional showers

Bass Fishing: this is the first month of the new year that I would have some optimism in catching bass on the Wexford coast. These tentative opportunities begin on the tides at the end of the month but things will remain challenging from a lure and fly perspective until the period just before the beginning of the closed season in May.

Rating 2/5
April Bass Fishuing Experiences Here Here Here

Forecasting the weather - March - 7

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months –

The Month of March according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

Bright, sunny, mild days suddenly give way to dull, frosty ones often with blizzards, chiefly on high-levels in northern and eastern parts of the country. These contrasts provide the reason for March winds. After mild bright days, cool frosty nights often follow.

Rainfall is not heavy but falls in sharp and brief showers, on the whole a fairly bight month with a few severe gales and these mostly from the North west. The sea is at its coldest to the south and east, but temperatures will begin to rise slowly during the later part of the month.

If earlier months have been wet/snowy the suns power is spent in evaporating the moisture rather than warming the earth. This may delay spring, since vegetation requires warmth.

1st to 7th This week can be unsettled at the beginning and end. There are usually bright days between
8th to 15th usually changeable days to a fairly bright spell in the latter part of the week.
16th to 23rd Mixed weather, but some bright cool or mild days
24th to 31st Usually unsettled weather, at the beginning and end of week – rather cool with the chance of snow

Bass Fishing : Sea water temperatures are now at their coldest in the South and East but will begin to warm slowly from the end of the month. Further south towards Cork and Waterford some fish will begin to show in the middle or later part of the month but its probably not until mid/late April that Wexford will generally see its first of the early fish. Increasing light levels plays a major part in fish first appearing at anytime.

Rating 1/5

Forecasting the weather - February - 6

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months –

The Month of February according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

This usually the coldest month of the year , particularly during the middle weeks, and especially in the eastern or north eastern counties. The cold easterly and north easterly winds flow across from Europe and the north sea.

Snowfall can be as severe and as frequent as January, the cold weather and light levels are at the opposites of June and Julys. The coolest conditions are now firmly settled into the land and sea water temperatures at the coast will fall a little more to perhaps eight degrees or a little less. As much as two degrees less than on the south and west coast temps.

1st to 7Th This week is usually unsettled with wind gales and rain
8th to 15th Usually there is a cold spell, and often the chilliest part of the month
16th to 23rd The cold spell will slowly break up and a thaw will set in.
24th to 28th The weather gradually becomes milder often ending the month in stormy unsettled weather.

Bass Fishing - Probably the most difficult month for the bass fisherman in Wexford. Having undergone some serious physiological changes over the past few weeks, bass are less likely to feed regularly they have their minds fixed on something more serious - depending on conditions, and as they dictate, spawning will take place only when they know best - then be ready.............

Rating 0/5

Forecasting the Weather - January - 5

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months –

The Month of January according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick.

There can be a good deal of rain with wind and gales in any part of the month, but mostly at the beginning and end of it, with south westerly wind directions affect most of the country.

During cold spells and high pressure conditions, freezing fog occurs. Often there is heavy snowfall, especially in the North , the east and the midlands. The mildest areas are in the south west of the country. Generally a chilly month, especially in the midlands and along the east coasts.
Sometimes before the south westerly rainy weather occurs after a cold spell there are odd days when temperatures will rise to 9 or 10 degrees. This however is a rare occurrence.

1st to 7th – Often a mild period, with a great deal of rain which causes floods..
8th to 15th – The coldest period usually occurs in this week
16th to 23rd – The weather continues cold with the lowest temperatures of the month
24th to 31st – There is usually a thaw with unsettled rainy weather

Bass Fishing - It is extremely difficult to catch bass after mid to late Jan and this will be true until April or May, of course there may be some opportunities but generally very few - water temperatures continue to fall and light levels are still very low - fish are primed and will spawn once conditions are right over the next few months.

Rating 1/5

Forecasting the weather - December - 4

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months -

The Month of December according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

Although there is a good deal of storm, cloudy and rainy weather, this can be accompanied, despite short days, with a good deal of intermingled sunshine. There are often several gales during this month and northerly winds can bring blizzards and snow fall in Scotland and the North of England.
There are often two short bright fine spells although frost an fog is probable at such times – particularly near the third week. The coldest weather of the winter seldom occurs in this month.

1st to 7th – Generally unsettled rather mixed weather. There are cold and mild days intermingled with rain and wind, and often snow in the North.
8th to 15th – Usually there are fair intervals and sometimes frost and fog, then unsettled weather.
16th to 23rd – Some of the best winter weather with fair days, cold with some frost or fog, often mild during the day with a possibility of a later gale.
24th to 31st – Changeable weather, fair and unsettled with an inreasing risk of gales and heavy rain.

Bass Fishing - some fish can be caught in the weather windows but it becomes increasingly more and more difficult from here right on through to April or May.

Rating 2/5

Forecasting the weather - November - 3

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months -

The Month of November according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

There can be a good deal of changeable, rainy weather during this month.
However, short odd periods of calm weather can also occur, with sunshine, although nights are often chilly and frost, accompanied by fog near coasts and inland towns.

The sea still retains its warmth but the land surfaces are definitely cooler, and this helps towards the changeability of the weather.

The days are shorter so there is less sunshine, and the cool but often clear, nights are longer. Gales are possible particularly near the end of the first week and during the last week of November, but overall it can be a fairy calm month. The temperatures continue to fall faster than at any other time of year.

The weeks of November

1st to 7th – The latter part of this week is unsettled, with rain, but extremes of calm mild days and frosty nights can occur with some fog.
8th to 15th – The days continue to become colder. The first effects of the coming winter can now be felt with frequency of wind and heavy rain increasing.
16th to 23rd – Usually a fair to changeable period followed by unsettled and rainy conditions.
24th to 31st - During this week the weather becomes more unsettled, rainy weather and strong winds at times but often milder.

Bass Fishing - One of the best months of the year for bigger fish on the fly if you can take a short weather window of opportunity. Tough for any travelling angler unless settled.

Rating 3/5
See November experiences Here

Forecasting the weather - October - 2

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their theories over the next few months -

The Month of October according to D&K Barlett with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

The temperatures now begin to fall more quickly than in any month of the year, although there can often be a late fine warm spell of several days. The nights will be noticeably cooler. The first frosts are more likely inland.
The depressons over the Atlantic are deeper and a greater deal of wind can be expected, but there are not usually more than one or two severe gales.
The good spell, if prolonged delays the autumn change into November. and this, of recent years has often occurred.
The sea remains quite warm but the land surfaces cool quickly, and some fog and mists can be experienced in many areas.

The weeks of October

1st to 7th - Fair, cloudy days at first becoming more changeable with a little rain later in the week
8th to 15th - Usuall there is cloudy weather with light rain intermingled with fair days
16th to 23rd - A calm, fair and quite warm period can occur during this part of the month
24th to 31st - During this week the weather becomes more unsettled fair days will bring frost but rather changeable

Bass fishing - Arguably one the best month of the year for bass fishing, opportunities for great fishing.

Rating 4/5
October Bass Fishing Experiences Here Here Here

Forecasting the weather - September - 1

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their theories over the next few months - savour the September days ahead!

The Month of September according to D&K Barlett - with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

There can be some fairly good, warm weather during this month, particularly in the east and south of Ireland. Thunderstorms can still be experienced and one unsettled period is probable near the middle of the month The weather in the North and West can be fairly good but intervals of unsettled weather can bring rain and wind at times. The days are shorter, the nights begin to feel cooler, and occasional night frosts occur in the Highlands of Scotland, but generally the summer heat continues to affect the sea and land.

The weeks of September

1st to 7th-A number of warm, sunny days are probable, but there is a danger of occasional thunderstorms. The alternative is very cloudy, changeable conditions.
8th to 15th-This week is usually cloudy at times but a fair spell is probable.
16th to 24th-Generally a few good days of calm, sunny weather, but one very changeable period.
25th to 30th-There is a tendency for the weather to be more unsettled. The first autumn rains occur and there is less risk of thunderstorm

Bass Fishing - My favorite month of the year. Possibilities are almost endless!

Rating 5/5
September Bass Fishing Experiences Here Here Here