What Are The Best Times to Fish in 2025

I’m sharing everything I know about the nest times to fish in this article. I’m even providing a free tool that uses AI to help you find the best times to fish near you over the next week.

The Best Times to Fish in 2025: Month-by-Month Breakdown

Fishing’s all about timing, isn’t it? Whether you’re into BFS and fine-tuning your skills with light lures or just love the simple joy of casting a line, knowing the best times to fish can make or break your day out on the water. That’s why we’re giving you the ultimate month-by-month breakdown for 2025. Think of it as your fishing cheat sheet, helping you line up your trips with peak activity times. With a little planning, you’ll not only reel in more but also make every outing smoother—especially if you’re all about that Bait Finesse style.

This year’s fishing opportunities have never looked better; let’s make sure you’re ready to hit those prime spots at the right moments!

Use my AI Predictor to Find the Best Times to Fish Near You

Ok, I’m going to share more detailed information for the avid anglers below, but if you’re just wondering that day you should consider going fishing this week, I created a tool that uses AI to help predict the best fishing times for you.

Check it out!

If this helps you out, share it with a friend!

Understanding Seasonal Variations in Fishing

Fishing success isn’t just about skill or gear—it’s about timing and understanding how the seasons influence fish behavior. Every season has its own story to tell, driven by temperature changes, Length of day, forage availability, and metabolic shifts. Whether you’re chasing a winter trout or casting for bass in the summer, knowing seasonal patterns can help you make the most of your fishing approach. Let’s break it down by seasons so you’re always one step ahead.

Winter Fishing: January to February

Winter fishing might seem intimidating, but trust me—it’s not as challenging as it looks when you know what’s going on below the surface. Cold temperatures slow a fish’s metabolism, so they’re not out there aggressively chasing bait. But here’s the good part: BFS techniques shine in these quiet months because their subtle, precise approach lets you tempt even the mot inactive fish.

My favorite tactic is using ultra-light setups with small lures to mimic easy meals. Suspended presentations often work wonders! I’ve shared some great winter fishing BFS tips in this article, where I learned the hard way not to underestimate the power of finesse techniques during these months. Give BFS a go here—it’s the perfect solution when fish play coy.

If you’re curious about how to enhance your BFS setup to maximize results, check out my experience with Hunt BFS Fishing Rods. I designed them to be the BEST fishing rods on the market!

Spring Fishing: March to May

Ah, spring—it’s like the alarm clock of the underwater world! As water temperatures climb and the days get longer, fish start waking up and getting active, especially with spawning season on the horizon. You’ll notice more feeding activity near spawn locations, so this is the perfect time to pull out your Bait Finesse gear. Why? Because small, realistic lures that mimic natural prey are irresistible when fish are aggressively protecting their nesting zones.

I can’t tell you how many times opting for a lightweight, natural presentation saved the day for me in the spring months. Need some BFS-specific lure ideas for spring? Check out my post on 9 Essential BFS Lures for Every Tackle Box. Stick to subtle colors and patterns that match what’s out there naturally—it’s a game-changer during spawning season!

Summer Hotspots: June to August

When the heat picks up, so does the challenge. Fish like bass and trout tend to retreat to cooler environments, either by going deeper or sticking to shaded areas. That doesn’t mean they stop biting—it just shifts when and where they’re most active. Early mornings and evenings are prime windows, while mid-day requires a more strategic approach.

Using BFS during summer is all about making the most of those low-light periods. Short casts into shaded cover, weed edges, or deeper pockets tend to be quite effective. Bluff walls can also be very productive. And if you’re in a lake, fishing the creek channel or an old roas bed can get yo on some numbers as well.

Early morning topwater action can also be thrilling with the right BFS setup—nothing beats the sight of that surface explosion when you pick the right lure!

Fall Fishing Patterns: September to November

If I had to pick one season to fish year-round, it’d be fall. While May might be my favorite month of fishing, there’s just something magical about this time of year. Fish come out of their summer lull and start feeding aggressively to bulk up before winter—it’s like an underwater buffet. For BFS enthusiasts, this is prime time. Pre-winter feeding binges make them less picky, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Personally, I pivot from subtle to more reactive presentations during this period. Crankbaits and flashy spinners (appropriately BFS-sized, of course) do wonders for me. I’ll throw a buzzbait until early winter even. Fall fishing rewards creativity and versatility in your approach—don’t shy away from taking a few risks.

Late Fall to Early Winter: December

Here’s where the rhythm slows down again. With water temperatures dropping, fish start easing into their winter habits. They’ll be around, but energy conservation is the name of the game. BFS still holds up beautifully here as long as you’re patient. Stick with slow-moving, finesse tactics and focus on deeper waters where fish are more likely to congregate.

Transitional periods like December are all about observation. Spend a little extra time understanding where fish are repositioning, and you’ll find them. Trust me, BFS gear shines when precision matters in targeting sluggish fish milling in calmer zones.

Adapt to these seasonal swings, and you’re already ahead of most anglers.

Time of Day’s Impact on Fishing Success

If you’ve ever wondered why your fishing luck seems better at certain hours, you’re not alone. The time of day plays a huge role in fishing success, especially for anglers who love BFS (Bait Finesse System). Fish have their own unique daily rhythms, much like us. They’re more active, alert, and willing to bite during specific windows, thanks to their feeding habits and natural instincts. Let’s break it down into the most important segments of the day—dawn, midday, and dusk—and how to maximize your results in each.

Dawn: The Early Bird Gets the Bass

There’s a reason you see anglers out before the sun is fully up—dawn is a magical time on the water. During the early morning hours, fish are transitioning from nighttime feeding zones to more sheltered daytime areas. The lower light intensity makes them less wary, so they’re more likely to hit your bait.

When it comes to BFS fishing, early mornings are ideal for using lightweight lures that mimic the small insects or baitfish fish are hunting. My go-to options? Tiny crankbaits or subtle jerkbaits that create a tempting silhouette without spooking the fish. Plus, BFS gear offers the casting accuracy you’ll need to target those shallow margins or shaded cover where fish are foraging at this time.

If you’re curious about precision casting with BFS gear, check out my review of the best BFS reels. The right reel can make all the difference when you’re trying to place that perfect early-morning cast.

Midday: Adjusting Tactics for Tougher Bites

Let’s face it—midday fishing can be brutal, especially in the heat of summer. As the sun climbs higher, fish often retreat to deeper or cooler waters to avoid direct sunlight. Their feeding activity slows, so patience becomes key. But tough doesn’t mean impossible!

During midday, BFS anglers should switch to finesse techniques. Think drop shot rigs with tiny soft plastics or slowly twitching a lightweight jig. It’s all about presenting an irresistible snack to those lethargic fish hanging out near structure or deeper weed lines. And don’t forget to focus on shaded areas like docks or overhanging trees.

Learning to finesse a stubborn bass during the hottest part of the day is where BFS gear truly shines. For more tips on choosing the perfect BFS rod for these situations, take a look at my thoughts on travel-ready BFS rods. Having the right gear boosts both accuracy and versatility.

Dusk: The Golden Hour for Anglers

If dawn is great, dusk might be even better. As the day cools down and light begins to fade, fish become more active again, capitalizing on reduced visibility to ambush prey. Their instincts kick into high gear, so bites tend to be more aggressive—and more rewarding.

Dusk fishing with BFS setups is all about making bold yet precise choices. Small topwater lures like poppers can be dynamite as fish move shallower, especially for bass or trout. Sometimes, a steady retrieve with subtle pauses is all you need to mimic an easy meal. And don’t overlook subtle crankbaits for a slightly deeper approach in the fading light.

A recent discussion on the best time of day for freshwater fishing highlights how this window is perfect for maximizing your catches. Combining these feeding patterns with a well-tuned BFS setup is an excellent way to wrap up the perfect fishing day.

Understanding these time-of-day patterns is like unlocking the rhythm of the water; it’s all about being in sync. By tweaking your BFS techniques to fit these windows, you’ll not only up your catch rate but make every outing way more enjoyable. There’s nothing better than being out there when the fish are ready to play!

Let AI Find Your Best Fishing Days This Week

Fishing doesn’t have to be a guessing game anymore. Thanks to advancements in technology, anglers like us can now tap into tools that predict the best times to fish based on real-time data. Artificial intelligence (AI) combines decades of fishing knowledge with current conditions to help pinpoint the perfect windows for success. It’s like having your personal fishing guide, minus the hourly fee.

How Does AI Predict the Best Fishing Times?

AI takes into account several dynamic factors, including weather patterns, moon phases, solar influence, and even local fishing reports. By analyzing these variables, it can provide a detailed forecast of when fish are most likely to bite. The days of relying solely on trial and error or old-fashioned methods like “fisherman’s luck” are gone.

For those who rely on BFS (Bait Finesse System) fishing techniques, this technology is especially useful. You know how subtle and precise BFS fishing demands can be—AI tools tailor predictions to specific scenarios, giving you the edge in planning your trips. If pinpointing your prime fishing day feels overwhelming, don’t worry—AI tools handle the heavy lifting.

Key Features for Anglers

AI platforms designed for fishing come with features that can seem made-to-order for BFS enthusiasts. Here’s what sets them apart:

• Custom Calendar Alerts: Tools like Catchingtimes’ fishing calendar give you exact times when fish activity is at its peak. Imagine opening the app and having Tuesday at 7:00 PM marked as your golden hour, saving you countless aimless casts.
• Weather Smart Tips: By blending live weather data with fishing patterns, AI can even optimize strategies for fluctuating barometric pressure or that surprise afternoon rainstorm—ideal when you’re casting lightweight BFS lures that need calm, steady waters.
• Location Accuracy: Whether you’re fishing your local pond or venturing out to hidden streams, these tools use GPS tech to find the fish hotspots near you. Perfect for making sure your BFS setup gets action in the right spots.
• Tide Timers and UV Alerts: If you’re using BFS along the coasts, tide predictions are crucial. Platforms like Fishingreminder can even factor in UV index to predict fish depth, helping you adjust lure presentation.

Try My AI Best Times to Fish Predictor

Again, I created this tool to try to use AI to give us all a better idea of when we should go fishing. I’m working on a “Where to go fishing” version as well.

Don’t Forget the Moon Phases

No discussion of the best times to fish would be complete without a quick understanding of how the moon phases affect fish feeding. The quick answer is this: If you can focus on the 2 days before and after the new and full moons, you’ll likely catch more fish.

These are so valuable to me I have them on my calendar.

If you like fishing at night, the full moon can produce some epic fishing trips. I still go fishing the other 3 weeks of the month, but I usually try to get out at these peak periods if I can.

Top BFS Techniques and Lures by Month

Fishing is all about reading the water, the weather, and the time of year—not to mention dialing in your approach with the right BFS (Bait Finesse System) techniques and lures. Think of it this way: every month brings a new chapter to fishing, with shifts in water temps and fish behavior demanding different strategies. Here’s a month-by-month breakdown so you can tweak your gear and get the best results every time you hit the water.

Cold Months Lure Strategy: January and February

Winter fishing can feel like a grind, but it’s all about slowing things down. During January and February, fish have slower metabolisms and aren’t looking to work hard for a meal. This is where BFS gear shines—precision presentations with smaller lures are exactly what they’re after.

Focus on sinking or suspending minnows to mimic the small, sluggish baitfish hanging out in deeper pockets. My go-to lures this time of year include:

• Suspending jerkbaits: Work them slowly with long pauses. Think of it as dangling dessert right in front of the fish.
• Finesse soft plastics on jig heads: Keep the action subtle—quick twitches can put fish off in these frigid months.

A lightweight BFS rod lets you detect even the faintest nibble, which is key when fish are hesitant. For a better breakdown of BFS performance, check out this helpful guide on BFS for Beginners.

Aggressive Spawning Season Options: March to May

Spring is the busy season underwater, and when the spawning window opens, fish get territorial and aggressive. This is the time to up your lure game and match the injured prey fish fish are instinctively targeting. BFS setups are perfect for this, offering the precision you need to land casts right on target.

Must-have lures include:

• Soft plastic creature baits: Use Texas rigs or weightless setups for a natural flutter over spawning beds.
• Small swimbaits with paddle tails: Match spawning baitfish sizes for a lifelike presentation.
• Wacky Rig: This just brings out some big bits. Fish can;t resist it some days!

For bass especially, BFS excels when casting around structures like docks and laydowns where nests are being protected. One of the main reasons BFS dominates in these months is its ability to pair lighter line with natural movement—curious about more tips? Swing by my insights on the Shimano SLX BFS setup. It’s a game-changer any angler can appreciate.

Summer Fishing: June to August

Summer fishing can be tricky, no doubt about it. Fish either go deep, stay in shaded areas, or play a waiting game for low-light windows like dawn and dusk. To get the most out of BFS in these warmer months, choose lures that stand out without overdoing it.

Here’s what works for me:

• Finesse poppers and ploppers for topwater action during early mornings—there’s nothing better than a surface explosion.
• Wacky Rigs: Ideal for fishing docks or under shaded cover during midday heat.
• Drop Shot Rigs: Perfect for probing deeper spots where the bigger fish are hanging out.

Fishing in the summer is also about timing. Early morning? That’s your golden hour. Midday? You’re better off focusing on finesse techniques around shade or deeper structure. The last 2 hours before sunset? Those can be magical as well. Especially topwater.

Want to gear up right? Check out more on choosing versatile BFS reels and rods.

Fall Feed Bag: September to November

Fall fishing feels like the playoffs for anglers. Fish are actively bulking up for winter, making them far less picky than in earlier months. With BFS, you can take advantage of this feeding frenzy using a mix of subtle and aggressive presentations.

Recommended BFS lures for fall include:

• Small crankbaits: Flashy and fast, these help cover water to find aggressive feeders. Some folks call fall ‘crankbait season.’
• Underspin swimbaits: A steady retrieve mimics baitfish, making it irresistible during the fall binge.
• Compact buzzbaits: These BFS-sized lures can ignite epic surface blow-ups during the cooling evening hours.

This period is really about versatility. Depending on where you’re fishing, you might need to transition from high-energy lures like crankbaits to slower-moving soft plastics as temperatures fluctuate. It’s the perfect time to try BFS gear for its ability to mix accuracy with presentation finesse. I’ve covered a lot of similar setups in my post on BFS for Bass Fishing, which pairs well with the fall season’s demands.

But honestly, once you find feeding fish int the fall, it’s likely that there are a lot of lures that will catch them.

Late Fall to Winter Transition: December

December fishing demands a blend of patience and strategy. As temps drop, fish start shifting to deeper zones to prep for the cold months that follow. BFS techniques remain effective, but the name of the game here is slow and steady wins the bite.

Best December BFS tactics include:

• Small blade baits: Drop them down deep and work them with short lifts off the bottom.
• Micro jigs: Perfect for coaxing sluggish fish into grabbing what looks like an easy meal.
• Suspending hard baits: This helps you target transitional fish moving from shallow to deep water.

The key in December is finding where fish are holding—and staying there. Use slower presentations to work the area until you hit pay dirt. When paired with an accurate BFS setup, you’ll be hard to beat this time of year. For tips on optimizing your rod, check out my guide to BFS rods for finesse here.

If you’re able to fish the same water from fall into winter, you can likely just follow them to where they are holding. And it’s very likely they will return to that same spot every winter.

By understanding these month-by-month strategies, you can turn even the trickiest fishing days into big wins. BFS anglers, this is your menu for success no matter the season—pair it with precision, and the results speak for themselves.

Essential Gear for Year-Round Fishing

Fishing isn’t just about the rod and reel—it’s about being prepared for every condition nature throws your way. Whether you’re chasing fish in the blistering heat of summer or the bone-chilling cold of winter, having the right gear makes all the difference. And for BFS (Bait Finesse System) enthusiasts like us, the stakes are even higher. This fishing style demands precision and adaptability, meaning your equipment has to perform at its peak no matter the season. Let’s take a closer look at how you can equip yourself for every scenario fishing throws your way.

Conclusion

Understanding the best times to fish month-by-month isn’t just a nice-to-know—it’s a game-changer for BFS anglers. By following seasonal patterns and adapting your tactics, you can maximize success with every outing, no matter the conditions. Whether you’re braving winter with finesse lures or chasing bass during the fall feeding frenzy, there’s always a way to make your BFS setup work for you.

Now’s the time to put these strategies into action. Make sure you’re ready for peak fishing days with tips and techniques that align with your goals. If you’re wondering how to read patterns for the perfect fishing day, I’ve shared some quick pointers in this guide. It’s all about making smarter choices on the water.

Keep refining your approach, and don’t hesitate to explore more BFS insights over on the BFS Fishing Blog—there’s always something new to learn, tweak, and try. Fishing may be about patience, but the results? Totally worth the wait.