Harness The Power Of Rain Bait For Successful Spring Fishing

They say April showers bring May flowers — and, well, the old adage is certainly a handy reminder of the beauty that awaits this spring and summer. But here at Blackfin Boats, we think that a soggy spring day is the perfect time to look to a new kind of bait approach: the aptly nicknamed “rain bait.”

No, this doesn’t actually refer to fish falling from the sky (though that mysterious phenomenon has happened several times throughout history!). Rather, this breed of bait takes its name from the way it mimics rain hitting the surface of the water, like on a sprinkle-y spring day.

You’ll usually hear this term in relation to the bay anchovy, which just so happens to be one of the most abundant fish on America’s East Coast — making it a natural snack of choice for many bigger feeders. However, rain bait can also be used more broadly to refer to similarly tiny fish that make rain-like “plops” when they leap out of the water — often in unison with one another.

Just read on as we take a closer look at rain bait — and how it can take your next Blackfin Boat outing to the next level.

Springtime Success

Rain bait can be an especially lucrative option to try during the springtime months we’re currently in, because it emulates the environment hungry fish are already expecting at this time of year. Depending on where in the world you live (and fish), you might find that the fish you’re hoping to reel in are still moving slowly as the water warms up. This is a normal reaction to the weather that’s changing all around us. So naturally, it can be beneficial to fish bait with a lighter, more slender profile that doesn’t draw too much attention underwater — but does just enough to attract fish that could use something akin to a light snack.

Plus, there’s something fitting about trying a new form of fishing during the spring months. This season is all about welcoming in growth — so why not use this time to “grow” as an angler and expand your strategies in a meaningful way? You might just be setting a strong precedent for the rest of your angling year!

What’s Biting?

Another big reason to employ rain bait during the spring? Well, this is the time of year that’s best-known for largemouth bass fishing — and largemouth bass tend to love rain bait! However, this popular fish isn’t the only one that enjoys feeding on rain bait. You’ll find that fish all along the East Coast, which rain bait calls “home,” include the tiny fish in their diet. These include species such as striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, spotted seatrout, and many more. So as it turns out, rain bait may just be a fairly versatile addition to your angling arsenal!

Plus, as we mentioned earlier in today’s guide, rain bait doesn’t have to exclusively refer to bay anchovies alone. Now that you know the function of this type of fish, you can look for similar traits in other lures and bait on the market — or in your DIY workshop. For example, another small, slender bait options you might want to think about adding to your tackle rotation is the minnow.   

When & Where To Use Rain Bait

Now that you know the benefits of rain bait, you may be wondering when about the best time and conditions to put them to the test. Fortunately, you can’t really go wrong trying it in any environment — after all, seasoned anglers know not to rule anything out as long as it could potentially get the fish biting! So why not try something new and see how you fare?

With all of that being said, of course, there are certainly going to be a few occasions in which opting for the light, airy touch of rain bait (over a flashy, heavy bait) makes especially good sense for your angling needs. For example, on cloudy or drizzly days — the kind we’re pretty used to seeing during the spring months — a rain bait that comes with some gentle, natural movement can catch attention underwater without being too blaringly obvious or out of place. During spring and fall, fish tend to be a little more reserved with their bites, so you don’t want to scare them with too much too soon! Save the bolder bait for the long, hot days of summer.

And finally, another big benefit of using rain bait (or lures like it) is that sometimes, you simply want to travel light for your day of fishing fun. And who could blame you for that? Spring is all about new beginnings, after all, and you don’t want to weigh down your first trip on the water with excessive lures and tackle you might not even use or really need. By opting for bait with a more slender profile, you can bring along more tackle without it necessarily taking up more space in your tackle box.

We hope that today’s guide to rain bait helps you add another powerful player to your angling toolbox! We might have been inspired by “April showers,” but switching up your tackle routine can serve you well through every season of the year.