How to Make Homemade Fishing Barometers

barometer image by Peter Baxter from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Fish react to air and water pressure, as all species do. Barometers detect the pressure in the air and are used in aviation, marine and terrestrial navigation, helping determine what weather conditions and patterns are occurring. Barometers are also used to help determine when the proper fishing conditions will take place. You can make a rudimentary fishing barometer with little in the way of materials and time. The crux of the construction and use of this barometer have a slight learning curve in interpreting the readings of your homemade fish barometer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

1-quart mason jar
1 clear glass beer or soda bottle, 10- to 12-ounce size

Step 1

Remove the lid to the mason jar and fill two-thirds with water. Take your small, clear glass bottle and place it in the mason jar, upside down and empty.

Step 2

Position the clear glass bottle so it does not tip over, and so the open end is resting on the bottom of the mason jar with no water getting in.

Step 3

Check the inner clear glass bottle in two to three days for any water that has made its way into the bottle. This is your barometric reading. If there is a lot of accumulated water in the inner bottle, the barometric air pressure is high. Less or no water in the inner bottle indicates low barometric pressure.

Step 4

Fish on days when your barometer has the inner bottle water receding. Fish are more prone to bite and strike when the pressure is high and falling.

Step 5

Take precautions for foul weather when heading out to fish when your barometer has a falling level of water, as this indicates low pressure moving in and chances of rain or storms.

Resources

Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks: Fishing Barometer Discussion

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

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