Fishing weather is a subtler business than most outdoor activities, and the score reflects the conditions anglers tend to favour. Wind leads the score, but not simply because less is better: a gentle breeze that puts a light ripple on the water is often ideal, breaking up the surface so fish are less wary, while both dead calm and strong wind score lower. Strong wind makes casting difficult, boat control hard and small waters uncomfortable or unsafe, so the score falls away as wind rises past a moderate level. The result is a score that rewards the light-to-moderate breeze many anglers consider perfect.
Cloud cover earns its own place in the fishing score because light conditions genuinely affect fish behaviour. Many anglers find that overcast skies fish better than bright, glaring sun, since fish feel less exposed and feed more freely, so the score treats moderate cloud favourably. Stable, settled weather is generally kinder to fishing than rapidly changing conditions, and a comfortable temperature keeps both the angler and the fish active. Rain is weighted as a modest negative, reflecting comfort and safety more than fish behaviour, since a little rain does not necessarily put fish off and can sometimes even improve the fishing.
Beyond the immediate comfort factors, weather shapes fishing through its effect on the water and the fish. Changes in barometric pressure are watched closely by keen anglers, with many believing that a falling barometer ahead of a weather change can trigger a feeding spell, while a settled high after a front can slow things down. Temperature drives fish activity, since fish are cold-blooded and their metabolism tracks the water temperature. Wind pushes surface food and warmer water toward one shore, which can concentrate feeding fish. The score captures the broad weather comfort, but seasoned anglers layer this understanding of pressure, temperature and wind on top.
Use the score as a guide to comfort and safety, then apply local and seasonal knowledge for the fishing itself. A high score means pleasant, workable conditions; a low one warns of wind or weather that will make the day hard or unsafe, particularly for those fishing from small boats, where wind and waves are a real hazard. Always prioritise safety on or near the water, check conditions before heading out, and be prepared for weather to change. The best anglers combine a sense of the day's conditions with knowledge of their water, the season and the species they are after, using the weather as one important input among several.