There are debates that end up on both sides of the aisle. Big storms can ruin natural reefs and destroy live bottom habitats. They can also stir and move layers of bottom silt, promoting future growth for that same live bottom. Studies can be produced that support both theories, making us wonder which theory is right.
Perhaps there is factual evidence that both theories are correct. In any given winter, nor’easters blow long and hard along the Atlantic. Wrecks and artificial reef structure can be moved literally hundreds of yards by the heavy wave action. Over the years, the location change can be dramatic – so much so that some anglers accuse their GPS of lying to them.
Savvy anglers know that bottom structure movement from these winter storms will invariably be in a southwesterly direction along the U.S. Atlantic coast. Over the years they have kept track of this movement, and updated their logbooks accordingly. Comparatively light structure like boats or barges will move farther than the heavier concrete pilings and culverts. But everything that isn’t attached to the bottom will move.
Hurricanes present a slightly different problem, in that the direction of the heavy waves and currents is dependent on the movement of the storm itself. Some would argue that wave action on the surface has little affect on bottom structure 100 feet down. Conversations with friends who served on submarines in the north Atlantic tell me otherwise. Even several hundred feet or more under the surface, heavy wave action noticeably moves these big boats. On several occasion while diving in water seventy to eighty feet deep, I have been washed about by the effects of surface waves.
Water is a powerful force. It can and will move objects that are otherwise seemingly immoveable. The question is, does it matter to our fishing success?
I will take a little taste of both sides of the argument. I believe that shallow reefs like those off the coast of South Florida that are exposed to a strong hurricane suffer dramatic damage that takes years to overcome. I also believe that it ultimately will not harm fishing per se. These storms have been around far longer than us, and the world has survived through all of them.
We may, as a result of a big storm, have to alter our fishing approach, relocate some bottom structure that has moved, or even avoid fishing certain areas for a time. But the bottom line is, the fish and the bottom will survive over time.
Here’s an interesting test you can try for yourself. I have several charts that are over 20 years old. They have LORAN headings on them, and numerous wrecks are specified. I compare the wrecks on the old charts with those on a new chart I have. Some locations are off as much as a half-mile by my calculations.
You can also plot the movement of some of your favorite fishing bottom over time. If you have trouble locating one of your bottom spots, sit back and think. When was the last big blow that came through the area, and from which direction was the wave activity? Try moving that direction and see if you find that your “bottom” has moved.
It always pays to keep tabs on the weather, whether you are fishing or not. The weather on days that you don’t fish plays an important part in the days that you do fish.
