How Hurricanes Affect Fishing
Hurricane Harvey recently swept through Texas, leaving extensive damage and heartbreak in its wake. Everyone in Texas, even those not directly affected by the storm, felt the effects of Hurricane Harvey. People have lost their homes, businesses, vehicles, and some have even lost loved ones and pets. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are extended to our fellow Texans as we all work together to overcome this hardship and the struggles that have followed; and our thanks are extended to everyone who has offered their thoughts and prayers and have come together to help.
If you’ve been planning a trip to Texas or are hoping to make one last fishing trip before the seasons change, you may be wondering how the hurricane will affect your trip and how it has affected the fishing.
When a hurricane or tropical storm forms and heads inland, it can have some serious effects on the water and marine life. Fish that live farther off shore and deeper in the water may not be bothered much by the storm as it passes over. Storms typically rough up the surface of the ocean but don’t do much to farther depths.
Fish that live closer to the surface and closer to the shore, however, can experience a lot more serious effects. From changes in the water’s salt content to the amount of oxygen that can get into the water, there can be a lot of factors that will affect the fish and fishing.
Changes in Water’s Salt Content
Some storms will bring seawater toward the shore, making wetlands on the coast saltier than they normally are. This will attract fish that typically live out in the open ocean and can cause trouble and even death for fish that are not used to such high salt levels.
Drops in Water’s Oxygen Level
Opposite from seawater being brought in from the ocean, fresh water from floods or heavy rain can be taken from the inland and pulled out to sea. The fresh water is less dense than saltwater so it floats on top of the saltwater but prevents oxygen from mixing into the salty layer below. This can cause fish living deeper to feel stress and develop deformations.
Depleted Underwater Resources
Depending on the severity of a storm, underwater resources such as sea grass and coral can be damaged or ripped up and carried off, leaving fish without shelter or food and requiring them to move.
Although storms can affect the fishing negatively, they can also have a positive impact, pushing more fish toward the shore. Contact us for a better idea of Galveston Bay’s current fishing conditions and schedule a charter trip today.
