Oct 29, 2025

Barometric Pressure Fishing Secrets of the Pros

Ever wonder what separates the truly great anglers from the rest of the pack? For saltwater sportfishing legends Ed and Frank Murray, it wasn't just about having the best gear or the perfect spot. It was about mastering the unseen forces of nature, and their secret weapon was often barometric pressure fishing—the art of using atmospheric changes to know exactly when and where the fish would bite. In the high-stakes world of saltwater tournaments, this knowledge was their ultimate competitive edge.

The Unseen Force Behind Legendary Catches

In the competitive arena of saltwater sportfishing tournaments, the slightest edge can mean the difference between a record-breaking catch and coming home empty-handed. Long before we had advanced fish finders and digital weather apps, legendary anglers like the Murray Brothers developed a keen, almost instinctual, ability to read the sky and the sea. Their careers were built on understanding the ocean's subtle cues.

They understood something fundamental: the weight of the air pressing down on the water's surface—the barometric pressure—was a powerful clue to what was happening below. This isn't just old fishing folklore; it's a proven strategy based on how environmental shifts trigger instinctual responses in marine life.

The Murrays knew a falling barometer often signaled an impending feeding frenzy ahead of a storm. They knew when to switch up their tactics during those calm, bluebird days. Their incredible success in countless tournaments wasn't just luck. It was the result of sharp observation and a deep understanding of the ocean's natural rhythms, a skill honed over decades of chasing giants of the deep.

Reading the Atmospheric Signs

To start fishing the barometer like Ed and Frank Murray, you first have to learn to read its three primary signals. It’s simpler than it sounds.

Falling Pressure: This is your alert. It often signals an approaching front and can kick fish into an aggressive feeding mode.
Stable Pressure: Think of this as business as usual. Fish tend to stick to their normal, predictable behaviors and feeding patterns.
Rising Pressure: This usually follows a storm system. The clear skies can make fish sluggish, lethargic, or drive them into deeper water to hunker down.

By learning to interpret these trends, you can turn a simple weather report into a powerful fishing forecast. It’s all about turning a bit of science into a practical tool you can keep right next to your favorite lure.

This infographic breaks down how rising, stable, and falling pressure trends generally impact what you can expect out on the water.

As you can see, that falling pressure trend is the angler's "go time." It's often the signal for the best bite as fish instinctively feed up before a change in the weather moves in.

Learning From the Murray Brothers Legacy

Long before we had digital barometers and weather apps on our phones, the world of saltwater sportfishing ran on pure instinct. It was an arena ruled by experience and a deep, personal connection to the ocean.

Few people embodied this philosophy better than Ed and Frank Murray. These two brothers became absolute titans of the sport, their names synonymous with high-stakes saltwater sportfishing tournaments. But they weren't just famous for their skill with a rod and reel; they were legends for their uncanny ability to read the unseen forces of nature.

For the Murray Brothers, barometric pressure fishing wasn’t some scientific term they read in a book—it was a way of life. They developed a profound, firsthand understanding that subtle shifts in the atmosphere directly triggered the behavior of the giants they chased, from marlin to massive tuna. This knowledge wasn't just interesting; it was their single greatest competitive edge in tournament fishing.

The Art of Observation

The Murrays' genius was in how they looked at everything at once. They didn't just glance at a barometer. They read the entire marine environment as a living, breathing system, piecing together clues that most anglers completely miss.

Reading the Sky: They knew the color of the sky, the shape of the clouds, and the direction of the wind were all telling a story about what the pressure was about to do.
Watching the Water: The texture on the surface, the way baitfish schooled up, and even the patterns of seabirds diving gave them critical information.
Sensing the Shift: They could literally feel the change in the air. The clammy humidity before a front, the dead calm, or the crispness that followed—all of it translated directly into a fishing strategy.

This kind of instinct isn't learned overnight. It was sharpened over thousands of hours on the water. They knew a falling barometer, hinted at by a darkening horizon and building seas, was the signal to get ready. That was their cue that a pre-storm feeding frenzy was about to kick off—a prime window where fish would feed aggressively before hunkering down.

Tournament Wins Forged by Weather Wisdom

Stories from their legendary saltwater sportfishing tournament wins almost always come back to a key decision they made based on an incoming weather change. While other crews were turning back toward port, the Murrays were often pushing forward, knowing the best bite was just ahead of the front. Their thinking was simple: pressure changes move bait, and big fish always follow the bait.

Their success was a testament to a core belief: true angling mastery comes from respecting and understanding the environment, not just trying to conquer it.

By anticipating how fish would react, they could put their boat in the perfect spot at the perfect time. This wasn't luck. It was calculated anticipation, a skill they mastered long before technology made it easy. They didn't need an app to tell them the pressure was dropping—the ocean told them everything they needed to know.

Their legacy is the ultimate proof of why understanding barometric pressure fishing is so critical. It’s what separates an angler who just reacts to a bite from one who predicts it. To learn more about this incredible heritage, you can explore the history of sportfishing and the pioneers who shaped it. The lessons from legends like Ed and Frank Murray are just as powerful today, proving that the best tool in any tackle box is a deep understanding of the natural world.

How Pressure Changes Make Fish Uncomfortable

To really get a handle on barometric pressure fishing, you have to understand what it is we're talking about. Imagine the air around us has weight—because it does. That weight is constantly pressing down on everything, including the surface of the water. We call this barometric pressure.

For us, it's mostly unnoticeable, but for a fish, this invisible force is a big deal.

The secret lies in a special organ all fish have called a swim bladder. Think of it as a tiny, internal balloon that they use to control their buoyancy, allowing them to hang steady at different depths without sinking or floating up. Because it’s filled with gas, the swim bladder is incredibly sensitive to any change in external pressure.

When barometric pressure falls, there's less weight pushing down on the water, which allows the gas inside the fish's swim bladder to expand. When the pressure rises, that gas gets squeezed. This can be genuinely uncomfortable for them, kind of like how our ears feel when a plane takes off or lands. That feeling of discomfort is the key to understanding how they'll behave.

The Swim Bladder Squeeze

It’s the change in pressure—the rising and falling—that really influences fish behavior. A stable, unchanging barometer might not sound exciting, but it often leads to some of the most consistent fishing you'll find. When the pressure holds steady, fish are comfortable and settled into their normal routines.

Under these stable conditions, they aren't dealing with any internal discomfort, so their feeding patterns are far more predictable. This is why many experienced anglers get excited when they see the barometer holding in a normal range, which is typically between 29.70 and 30.40 inches of mercury (inHg). For a deeper dive into this, check out the great info on how pressure affects fish at Tempest.earth.

This biological reality was the secret weapon behind so many of the Murray Brothers' legendary tournament wins. They knew a fish's comfort level was directly tied to its willingness to eat.

Why Change Triggers a Reaction

When the pressure starts swinging wildly, fish are forced to do something about it. To relieve that uncomfortable squeeze or expansion in their swim bladder, they'll often react in one of a few ways:

Change Depth: Moving deeper into the water column increases the pressure around them, which can help offset the effects of a falling barometer.
Feed Aggressively: A sharp drop in pressure is nature's dinner bell. It often signals an approaching storm, triggering an instinctual feeding frenzy as fish try to load up on food before the bad weather hits.
Shut Down Completely: After a front passes and the pressure spikes, fish can become lethargic and almost stunned. The bite can shut off like a light switch.

The Murrays didn't just see a falling barometer as a weather forecast; they saw it as a feeding trigger. They knew that small window of discomfort right before a storm was their golden opportunity—a time when they could find fish that were actively, almost recklessly, feeding. This simple "why" became the foundation of their on-the-water strategy, turning basic atmospheric science into a massive competitive advantage.

How to Read the Weather Like a Pro

Knowing the "why" behind pressure changes is a great start. But turning that science into a cooler full of fish? That's what separates the legends from the rest of us. The old-timers didn't have fancy apps; they had a playbook written from thousands of hours spent watching the water. They instinctively knew how to read the three big weather scenarios—high, low, and stable pressure—and tweak their game plan for each one.

This is where the rubber meets the road with barometric pressure fishing: knowing what to do when the sky starts talking. If you can learn to think this way, you’ll be able to predict what the fish are doing before you even leave the dock. It’s all about turning that atmospheric data into a solid plan of attack.

Falling Pressure: The Golden Hour

This is it. This is the moment every seasoned angler dreams about. A falling barometer is nature's dinner bell, ringing loud and clear that a storm or front is on its way. That drop in atmospheric weight puts fish on edge, triggering a deep-seated instinct to feed like crazy before the bad weather rolls in.

For sportfishing legends like the Murray Brothers, a forecast calling for dropping pressure didn’t mean it’s time to head in—it meant it was time to win the tournament. They knew this was the prime window to find fish at their most aggressive.

Expected Fish Behavior: Fish get fired up and lose their usual caution. They’ll often push into shallower water to hunt, kicking off a full-blown pre-storm feeding frenzy.
Actionable Strategy: Speed things up and get aggressive. Think topwater plugs that cause a commotion, fast-trolled baits, and bright, flashy lures. Fish are in strike mode, and they’ll hammer just about anything that looks like an easy meal.

High Pressure: The Post-Frontal Challenge

After a front pushes through, you often get those beautiful, crisp, sunny "bluebird" days. They look perfect, but for an angler, they can be brutally tough. These conditions are usually the result of a spike in barometric pressure, and it can put fish into a lethargic, post-frontal slump. The increased weight in the atmosphere seems to make them uncomfortable and shut down.

This is where true skill and patience come into play. Instead of throwing in the towel, you have to completely shift your approach.

"High, stable pressure doesn't mean the fish disappear; it means you have to change how you hunt them. They're often holding tight to deep structure, and you need a slower, more deliberate approach to coax a bite."

During these tough bites, finesse is the name of the game. Fish aren't going to chase down a fast-moving lure, but they might be tempted by a slow, natural-looking bait dangled right in their face. This means slowing your trolling speed way down, bottom fishing with live bait, or patiently working jigs right along deep ledges and wrecks.

Stable Pressure: The Predictable Bite

While it lacks the sheer excitement of a major pressure drop, stable weather offers something just as valuable: predictability. When the barometer holds steady for a day or two, fish settle into their regular routines. They aren’t stressed by changing conditions, so they feed based on reliable patterns like tides, sunrise, and sunset.

This consistency is a huge advantage because it allows you to rely on your fundamental fishing knowledge. You can focus on your proven spots and favorite techniques without having to guess how the weather is messing with the fish. During stable periods, fish will be right where they’re supposed to be—on their favorite reefs, ledges, or flats—and they’ll be feeding during their usual windows. It’s the perfect time to methodically pick apart a productive area and trust the classics.

Using Modern Tools to Apply Timeless Wisdom

Back in the day, legendary anglers like Ed and Frank Murray had to rely on a lifetime of experience and a trusty analog barometer. They developed a gut feeling for how the weather would shift. Today, we have a powerful arsenal of technology that can give us that same edge, turning barometric pressure fishing from an intuitive art into a data-driven science.

You no longer have to just squint at the sky and hope for the best. A quick glance at your smartphone can tell you everything you need to know. Modern fishing apps and advanced fish finders don't just give you a single pressure reading; they show you the most critical piece of the puzzle: the trend.

Seeing a graph of the pressure over the last six, twelve, or twenty-four hours is the digital version of the Murrays sensing a storm front building on the horizon. This lets you turn raw data into a real-world fishing strategy, just like they did.

Integrating Tech with Old-School Strategy

The goal here isn't to replace your angler's instinct. It's to sharpen it with accurate, real-time information. These tools give you the power to make smarter decisions before you even leave the dock, applying the same principles the Murray brothers used, but with a massive technological advantage.

Set Pressure Alerts: Many apps let you set notifications for a rapid pressure drop. This is like getting a digital tap on the shoulder, letting you know a prime feeding window is about to open up.
Analyze Historical Data: Start logging your catches and note the pressure readings. Before long, you'll see specific patterns emerge for your favorite fishing spots, showing you the exact conditions that trigger the bite.
Combine Multiple Data Points: Modern systems are incredible. They can layer barometric pressure with sea surface temperature, wind direction, and tidal charts, giving you a complete picture of what’s happening in the environment.

This approach brings high-tech methods right back to the foundational principles of fishing. It’s about using technology not just to see what’s happening now, but to anticipate what’s coming next—and that’s exactly what made the Murrays so successful.

This level of detailed monitoring isn't just for weekend warriors; it's used at the highest levels of commercial and recreational fishing. For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) runs the PORTS® system, which provides real-time barometric pressure data alongside tides and winds. This integration helps captains optimize their trips for both efficiency and safety, proving just how valuable tracking these atmospheric shifts really is. You can discover insights on how barometric pressure affects fishing at Acurite.com to dig a little deeper into the science.

At the end of the day, these tools are just a modern way to apply the wisdom the Murray brothers always knew. Having the right information is key, and that applies to your entire setup. Make sure you’re as prepared as the legends were by checking out our guide on the best saltwater fishing gear.

Putting It All Together for Better Fishing

Barometric pressure is a huge piece of the puzzle, but it’s not the only piece. Legends like Ed and Frank Murray dominated saltwater sportfishing tournaments because they understood this better than anyone. True mastery on the water comes from seeing the entire picture, not just one part of it.

A falling barometer is a fantastic sign, but it’s no silver bullet. It doesn't guarantee a hot bite if the other critical variables just aren't lining up. The Murrays learned from countless hours on the water that you can't rely on a single indicator. They knew that even with a perfect pressure drop, you'll come up empty if the tide isn't moving or if the water is too cold for the fish you're after.

The Symphony of Ocean Conditions

Think of the ocean environment like a symphony. Barometric pressure is just one instrument—say, the drums setting the tempo. A drum solo is cool, but the real magic happens when the entire orchestra plays in harmony.

Here’s how the other "instruments" play their part:

Water Temperature: A dropping barometer might get fish fired up to feed. But if a cold front plummets the water temperature by 5-10 degrees overnight, it can shut the bite down completely.
Tide Cycles: For most inshore and nearshore species, moving water is the main dinner bell. A strong outgoing tide that pulls baitfish out of the marshes can trigger a feeding frenzy, even under a stubbornly stable, high-pressure sky.
Wind and Current: A stiff offshore wind can blow bait miles from shore, completely overriding any pressure-related feeding cues. On the flip side, a steady onshore wind that pins baitfish against a shoreline or jetty can create an all-out blitz.

Context Is Everything

This multi-factor approach helps explain why there's still so much debate around barometric pressure. While the anecdotal evidence from anglers is overwhelming, scientific studies have a tough time proving pressure is the direct, isolated cause of fish behavior. In fact, some researchers argue that stable pressure combined with other ideal conditions is a better predictor of consistent feeding patterns than pressure changes alone. You can discover more insights on the science of barometric pressure and fish at Wired2Fish.com.

The takeaway for any serious angler is clear: use barometric pressure as your starting point, not your final answer. Observe how it interacts with the tide, wind, and water conditions at your specific location.

That’s the real lesson from the Murray Brothers' legacy. They didn't become legends by reading a barometer; they became legends by learning to read the entire ocean.

Common Questions About Pressure Fishing

Even when you feel like you've got it all figured out, questions still pop up. Anglers are always tweaking their approach to barometric pressure, just like legendary fishermen Ed and Frank Murray did throughout their careers chasing trophies in high-stakes saltwater tournaments.

Let's tackle some of the most common questions head-on.

What Is the Best Barometric Pressure for Fishing?

There's no single magic number that guarantees a bite. Instead, seasoned anglers look for two key scenarios.

A stable barometer, holding steady somewhere between 29.70 and 30.40 inHg, usually means predictable fishing. The fish are settled into their normal routines, and you can often find them on their usual patterns. But the real action? That often happens during a steadily falling barometer. This is the big signal that a front is moving in, and it can kick fish into a feeding frenzy.

How Do Different Fish React to Pressure?

You'll definitely see some variation between species. Fish hanging out in shallower water, like redfish and snook, are much more tuned in to atmospheric shifts. Compare that to deep-water dwellers like halibut, which live under so much constant water pressure that a change in air pressure doesn't faze them as much.

Still, the general rule of thumb holds true for most popular game fish: falling pressure equals active feeding, while rising pressure often means a slower, tougher bite. This is a pattern the Murray brothers dialed in to give themselves a serious competitive edge in saltwater sportfishing tournaments.

Barometric pressure is just one piece of the puzzle. Other environmental factors can be just as important in saltwater fishing. To see how these forces work together, check out our guide on how the full moon and fishing are related and its effect on tides and fish behavior.

When you start weaving these details together, a simple weather forecast becomes one of your most powerful fishing tools.

At Murray Brothers, we’re here to honor the legacy of sportfishing with gear that’s as legendary as the anglers who inspire it. Shop our collection of battle-tested, angler-approved apparel and tackle today at https://www.murraybrosretro.com.