01Decision making for rainy conditions
When rain falls, surface temperature drops sharply, altering fish activity. In particular, once it falls below 10 °C, large predators move into shallow water to hunt.
According to National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) data, during rain the temperature in the 30–80 m depth zone typically declines by 1–2 °C.
Therefore, selecting a 4~6‑go (10–12 mm diameter) carbon rod and a 6~8‑go main line minimizes resistance to water flow.
However, when rainfall exceeds 30 mm the float becomes unstable, raising the chance that fish will avoid a bite by more than 15 %. In this case, using a small lure under 30 g and maintaining a fast retrieve speed is effective.
- Heavy lure can be tossed by the current, blocking the fish’s view
- If the lure stays in the water too long, fish may not recognize it
02Decision making for strong wind
When wind reaches 15 km/h, surface waves rise above 0.5 m and wave propagation intensifies in depths shallower than 20 m. The 60–120 m depth zone then becomes a stable habitat for fish.
According to Korea Meteorological Administration data, when wind is 20 km/h and wave height exceeds 1 m, steel line (10~14 go) outperforms carbon line (8~12 go) in wave resistance. Thus, in strong wind you should increase line stiffness to prevent excessive rod flex.
When wind shifts from east to west, currents often reverse, causing the lure to drift 5–10 m farther than expected. Placing the lure slightly forward and retrieving at about 0.8 m/s can raise bite success by 12 %.
03Decision making for fog
When fog is dense, visibility drops below 200 m, greatly reducing fish visual searching. In such conditions, rigs that rely on sound and vibration become important.
According to the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency tide tables, foggy dawn and dusk periods often see water temperature rise by 0.5–1 °C. The temperature increase stimulates fish activity, so a small spoon‑type lure that generates fine vibration works well in shallow depths (30–50 m).
If fog coverage exceeds 80 %, GPS‑based position checks become difficult and a safety distance of at least 30 m is required. Following Korea Coast Guard safety rules, at least two people should go out together, and reflective plastic tape should be attached to the line to enhance visual signals.
04Final pre‑trip checklist
- Check weather (precipitation • wind speed • fog) → Korea Meteorological Administration marine weather service
- Predict water temperature • depth → use NIFS fish‑stock information
- Check tide • wave height → KMI • Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries tide tables
If weather changes abruptly, decide to return immediately and always wear safety gear (life jacket • rescue radio).