Fishing in the wind. Getting out fished! 2024
1simplemann reply :
My partner consistently outfishes me in the wind. He uses all fluro. I use braid to fluro. Fishing 1/4 oz tube bait for smallies in the river .Same bait ,same hole 15 to 3! I have a big bow in my line and can't feel the bite. Rod tip down, and short cast help but He put on a clinic yesterday. At one point it was 12 to 1. Is it the Fluro? or is he THAT good? E2 just killed em in the wind on jig in the Classic. There's gotta be a way to feel the bite. Thanks in advance Rob in Montana
gulfcaptain reply :
What size braid are you fishing?
I can say the same thing but the other way around. I've done the same thing to my fishing partners with braid while they have fluro. Maybe your braid is too heavy.
papajoe222 reply :
Welcome to the forums. When you get the chance, stop by the introductions forum and tell us a little about yourself.
He likely had a big bow in his line also. Chances are he's very good at line watching while you were likely waiting to feel the bite. Bow in your line, or not, you need to watch where the line enters the water, especially on slack line presentations. That may have been the other difference, he may have been letting the tube free fall and you were letting it fall on a semi-tight line. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your partner, especially if he is more experienced.
1simplemann reply :
I'm using 15 lb Fins to 10 lb fluro. He's not seeing the bite IE the line moving. The line is already moving because of the current. He claims he can feel the bite and /or the tension on the line and therefor sets the hook. Myself, I know tension he speaks of as I can feel it on non windy day. On a wind day casting cross wind and cross current there is a 10-15' bow in my line. I can't feel crap. I'm just not connected to the bait. I bumped up the 5/15 jig heads and that helped but I snagged the bottom way more. Only thing I can find out is that fluro sinks and braid floats. I'm really scratching my head on this one because generally I can stay with him and generally the only time he out fishes me is when we're throwing tubes in the river especially on windy days.
gulfcaptain reply :
Well maybe try a longer leader of flouro to match the depth you're fishing.
1simplemann reply :
I was thinking this same thing. 6-8' is the longest I've ever done. 20-30' leader should cast OK especially w/ my knot.
Allen Der reply :
are you using similar rods?
papajoe222 reply :
I've been told that straight fluoro is more sensitive than braid on slack line. Take it for what it's worth,
Bluebasser86 reply :
You're fishing a river so I'm assuming there is current? That big bag the wind is blowing in your line is adding additional lift to your bait, which the current is doing as well. So it's possible the wind whipping your line is adding unnatural movement, slowing your sink rate, maybe even preventing your tube from reaching the bottom.
When I'm fishing braid in the wind I like to lay my rod tip down so my line is on the water to prevent the wind from being able to have too much of an effect on the line. Stepping up to a heavier weight on your tube might be another option as well. All else fails, if you can't beat them, join them.
Catt reply :
It aint the line
It aint the rod
It is the operator
Like it or not you are letting it get in your head & your partner beating you 15-3 is making it worse!
skno reply :
you have to at least try what bb86 said, you may not be in the strike zone as much.....................
new2BC4bass reply :
On 3/14/2016 at 1:16 PM, papajoe222 said:I've been told that straight fluoro is more sensitive than braid on slack line. Take it for what it's worth,
Same here. Whenever I fish braid I am retrieving a worm through junk so I have tension on the line pretty much all the time.
WIGuide reply :
Was the bow in his line as big as yours? From what I've experienced, braid is lighter and seems to be more effected by wind than fluoro. Add in the fact that braids slack line sensitivity in near zero and you have a tough situation to deal with.
Bass Turd reply :
Next time out ask to switch rods with him. That way you could both feel what the differences are between rods, lines etc without having to guess as much. Love to hear the results.
WRB reply :
Sounds like spinning gear and you can't feel the line movement.
Forget about the line above the water as long as the slack is being controlled. The only place you need to watch for line movement is where it enters the water where it creates a V as the lure sinks....watch for any change in the V that indicated the line has stopped, if it does set the hook.
Tom
1simplemann reply :
WRB, I do use spinning gear. He does use a baitcaster. I have always used spinning gear since it's what I started with. Is there a difference in sensitivity? If so then this could get expensive cause I don't own any BC's! ( I do have a lot of spinning gear which my wife will attest to. She says I have far too many rods. If she only knew what they cost LOL) As far as the "V" goes, all I can say is it was almost impossible to see. Wind, current and glare made it extremely difficult to see. My friend wasn't seeing the line move either. According to him it was all feel. I'm going to try a few different things this weekend. I'm going to use a much longer leader. 10-15' Typically I use 3-6". It was kinda hard to see how much of a bow he had but he did agree that even he wouldn't be able to feel crap w/ as much bow as I had. I have a feeling BB86 may be right and my bait isn't getting down to them or isn't staying down w/ them.
Allen Der reply :
put your index finger on the line
Paul Roberts reply :
I think you are dead right. The density of FC both bucks wind and offers slack-line sensitivity better than other lines (already water-soaked mono is second, light soft braids are worst –complete disconnect where slack is involved). FC can also sink below the surface currents inevitably created by the wind.
First, I’d say switch to FC (and see what happens). It should go all the way to the reel.
Other things he could be doing, and/or you should be doing, regardless:
-Control of rod (and therefore line) movement (rock solid and/or instantaneous), so that movement from the other end is most apt to be detected.
-Reduce, eliminate if possible, bow in the line. If breeze is consistent and you can keep the line steady –mebbe– great! But, realize the more bow the less detection you have, period. If breeze fluctuates -is turbulent- I for one am in trouble. Keep your back to the wind, or secondly, face directly into it. Fish shorter casts. Keep rod low. Allow FC time to sink below surface tension currents (although being in a river may or may not allow this).
-Heavier lure, and those that provide tension.
-Stretch your line straight when you start.
-I like Allen Der's keep line pinched between fingers but that may not be practical if there is much current, with horizontal retrieves, esp with spinning tackle. And it's moot if there is enough bow.
-BC'ing gear could be a factor, esp if you have any challenges dealing with slack at the reel.
-Don’t let your buddy distract you. Fish the water in front of you, not him. May or may not be a factor but at 8:2 it's easy to get distracted.
Good luck. Let us know.
1simplemann reply :
Allen, my index finger is on the line but thanks anyway. Paul, I'm going to be setting up two reels this week. 1 all fluro and the other w/ a long leader but not past the reel. Probably 12-13'. I did some research and watched a video clip from A-Mart and he mentioned that a leader past the reel causes line lay and casting problems which is something I hadn't considered. Both should help get that bait down and stay down. As far as reducing the bow, that is something i always try to do by anchoring in the current, casting up river and upwind so I'm not cross wind or current.Right now I can't do that because at the present time, I don't have an anchor system set up on my kayak. I removed the old one but that is another story. I honestly don't feel that I was distracted because for the 1st hour we were seperated by 100-150 yds and we had no idea how the other was doing. I would say on a normal day it runs 3:2 in his favor but 15:3 was highly unusual. I started looking at the differences in our setups because on a calm day I usually stay right with him or at least close. I 'll try both setup this weekend and report back.
ww2farmer reply :
On 3/14/2016 at 7:09 PM, Catt said:It aint the line
It aint the rod
It is the operator
Like it or not you are letting it get in your head & your partner beating you 15-3 is making it worse!
This......................................
Paul Roberts reply :
On 3/16/2016 at 9:03 AM, 1simplemann said:Allen, my index finger is on the line but thanks anyway. Paul, I'm going to be setting up two reels this week. 1 all fluro and the other w/ a long leader but not past the reel. Probably 12-13'. I did some research and watched a video clip from A-Mart and he mentioned that a leader past the reel causes line lay and casting problems which is something I hadn't considered. Both should help get that bait down and stay down. As far as reducing the bow, that is something i always try to do by anchoring in the current, casting up river and upwind so I'm not cross wind or current.Right now I can't do that because at the present time, I don't have an anchor system set up on my kayak. I removed the old one but that is another story. I honestly don't feel that I was distracted because for the 1st hour we were seperated by 100-150 yds and we had no idea how the other was doing. I would say on a normal day it runs 3:2 in his favor but 15:3 was highly unusual. I started looking at the differences in our setups because on a calm day I usually stay right with him or at least close. I 'll try both setup this weekend and report back.
Curoius what Aaron Martens was saying. Couldn't find the vid.
Catt reply :
On 3/16/2016 at 9:03 AM, 1simplemann said:I honestly don't feel that I was distracted because for the 1st hour we were seperated by 100-150 yds and we had no idea how the other was doing. I would say on a normal day it runs 3:2 in his favor but 15:3 was highly unusual. I started looking at the differences in our setups because on a calm day I usually stay right with him or at least close. I 'll try both setup this weekend and report back.
Y'all seriously need to come clean from the beginning!
At 100-150 yds away his on different fish, heck from the front to the back of a boat he can be on totally different fish.
But from what you've said you are well on your way to adjusting!
1simplemann reply :
Paul, Look up Aaron Martens favorite shakyhead. It's a bassmaster clip. Basically he prefers to start w/ a leader w/ the knot just above the reel and NOT past the bail arm due to the knot catching. Makes sense to me. Catt. Come clean? Well, we fished along a 300 yd stretch of rocky shoreline. We started in the middle. He went his way,I went mine. We met back up an hour later, compared results and then fished the same hole side by side. At the time, we met back up, it was 4:1. In the next hour it became 12:1 and finished 15:3. Clean enough for ya? The 20 mph wind seemed to trigger the bite because as soon as the wind died so did the bite. As far as adjustments, I'm not too old to learn a new thing or two cause after the butt whoop'n I took on Sat. i figure I need change something. He was over for dinner tonite and agreed that the fluro was probably the difference. we'll see this weekend. Tight Lines Rob in Montana
Catt reply :
On 3/16/2016 at 1:19 PM, 1simplemann said:Catt. Come clean? Well, we fished along a 300 yd stretch of rocky shoreline. We started in the middle. He went his way,I went mine. We met back up an hour later, compared results and then fished the same hole side by side. At the time, we met back up, it was 4:1. In the next hour it became 12:1 and finished 15:3. Clean enough for ya? The 20 mph wind seemed to trigger the bite because as soon as the wind died so did the bite. As far as adjustments, I'm not too old to learn a new thing or two cause after the butt whoop'n I took on Sat. i figure I need change something. He was over for dinner tonite and agreed that the fluro was probably the difference. we'll see this weekend. Tight Lines Rob in Montana
Even sitting side by side he could be reaching fish you can not, that could be part of the 4:1, 12:1, or 15:3.
Not saying ya aint got a problem felling the bite in wind, heck I hate anything over 15 mph.
Team9nine reply :
On 3/16/2016 at 1:19 PM, 1simplemann said:He was over for dinner tonite and agreed that the fluro was probably the difference.
No, not possible. We all know from reading these forums that fluorocarbon is overhyped, overpriced, totally unmanageable, and basically just a bunch of crap compared to braid, used straight or with a fluoro leader..... 
-T9 ....sorry, couldn't help myself. Just feeling a bit sarcastic this morning 
BobP reply :
I fished in a 20 mph wind last week, using 12 lb braid and fluoro leader on a shakey head. Couldn't feel a d**n thing. I'm switching back to all fluoro. Braid transmits nothing if a fish picks up your lure and moves toward you on a slack line, which often happens if you are casting upstream and letting the bait be swept toward you. Fluoro does. You can keep braid's good handling, which is the only advantage I can see for it, except in grass. If you can't feel'em, you can't catch'em.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 3/16/2016 at 10:46 PM, Team9nine said:No, not possible. We all know from reading these forums that fluorocarbon is overhyped, overpriced, totally unmanageable, and basically just a bunch of crap compared to braid, used straight or with a fluoro leader
x2
Paul Roberts reply :
On 3/16/2016 at 1:19 PM, 1simplemann said:Paul, Look up Aaron Martens favorite shakyhead. It's a bassmaster clip. Basically he prefers to start w/ a leader w/ the knot just above the reel and NOT past the bail arm due to the knot catching. Makes sense to me. Catt. Come clean? Well, we fished along a 300 yd stretch of rocky shoreline. We started in the middle. He went his way,I went mine. We met back up an hour later, compared results and then fished the same hole side by side. At the time, we met back up, it was 4:1. In the next hour it became 12:1 and finished 15:3. Clean enough for ya? The 20 mph wind seemed to trigger the bite because as soon as the wind died so did the bite. As far as adjustments, I'm not too old to learn a new thing or two cause after the butt whoop'n I took on Sat. i figure I need change something. He was over for dinner tonite and agreed that the fluro was probably the difference. we'll see this weekend. Tight Lines Rob in Montana
That's what I suspected. He uses -or did- an Albright. Try the FG Knot -awesome, amazing, breakthrough knot for braid to leader.
Hey, you're in MT. How cool is that. Not all that many bass fishers on here from MT. I'm in trout country too. Lotsa small bass waters here though in the form of snowmelt catchment/irrigation reservoirs. Good to have you aboard.
It'll be interesting what you find out going to FC -in wind. It's not a simple fix. And I agree with the others that operator error and confidence are generally primary considerations. But once that's out of the way, I believe the line matters. Braid -at least the soft braids I've used- become essentially useless for (semi) slack-line detection in wind.
Whether Copoly or FC, the effect of wind (and water too) on that long string of molecules is the most important factor -every stream/river fisher learns that pronto. I feel that FC's density has helped quite a bit in wind compared to mono. I think it's a similar discussion as with other types of ballistics from fly-lines to arrows to rifle bullets: velocity vs momentum. Some fly-fishers suggest going to a heavier line weight in wind. Others suggest the opposite, dropping a line weight (and accelerating) as there is a thinner string of molecules being acted on by wind. I wonder if power plays a role and in some cases, or some anglers, either way might be a better choice for them. If you have the rod and muscle to repeatedly fire a super-tight loop at high velocity with a 9wt line, the added mass might help. If you can't, maybe dropping to a 7wt will work better for that angler.
With mono vs FC it may be the same argument (the velocity provided by the wind itself), with momentum playing a role. Best of both worlds would be a microbraid-thin FC line. I've always said that the greatest invention in angling ever will be when we can get rid of the tether between us and the fish -or more practically, minimize it to a single high density chain of molecules. It'll be interesting to hear what others experiences are. Brian, what say you?
1simplemann reply :
PR, From the vid's I saw A Mart uses multiple knot. Alberto,albright, uni-uni FG knot etc. I have tied them all. I prefer some sort of Albright for speed and dependability. The FG is one knot that I can't seem to get the hang of. I can tie it fairly well on 30 or 40 lb leader but can't seem to tie it on anything under 20. It takes me so dang long to tie it that I generally don't mess w/ it anymore. As far as being in MT, who da thought that the bass fishing could be good here? I just kinda hung my rods up and concentrated on bowhunting. Not sure why but it was definitely a mistake. Picked em back up again after a Florida vacation and realized what I was missing. I started looking hard at what MT had to offer and discovered the Missouri River north of where I live is an amazing smallmouth fishery. But the biggest discovery which may be the best "sleeper lake" in the US is Fort Peck Reservoir. Over 100 miles long and not a soul in site. Overall it is an amazing fishery in itself but the smallmouth are hardly touched. Our state championship had 2 day ,10 fish limit w/ 2 guys over 45 lbs! The guy that came in 2nd caught 27lbs on a practice day including a possible 7lb 'r and one under that. He let em go. State record is 6.8 lb. The lake has exploded since the high water of 2011-2012. I predict the record will be broken this year. Things are looking good for the few of us bass guys here. You mention soft braids. I use Fins XS which is 8 strands and is very soft. I use it because the noise going through the guides bothers me. I wonder if a stiffer braid will help? I have some PP somewhere and will gladly put up w/ the noise if it help my ratio. Tight lines, Rob in Montana
smalljaw67 reply :
I fish tubes for river smallmouth and I use mono and I know exactly what was happening to you and yes, it was the line. The fluorocarbon sinks and when the wind was blowing both of you had your baits messed up on the drift but his bait was on, or closer to, the bottom. There is a fix without changing lines, it is weight, when using line that floats when the wind is blowing you need to use a little more weight. I my rivers it means going from 1/8oz to 3/16 or 1/4oz but I'm talking 6' depth so apply that to your water and you'll be fine. My buddy would do the same and tell me it was because they were seeing my line and I told him that was not the problem, so when I went up in weight guess what? I started getting more bites and it just because the sinking line allowed his bait to reach bottom and I believe the same is going on in your waters.
1simplemann reply :
SmallJaw, You might know my partner. He grew up fishing the Susky. I'll find out this weekend if the fluro helps. I feel the whole key is that I'm not in the strike zone as much. I've tried the weight thing which does help but then I'm snagging the bottom more. If we're not on the river, I stay right with him most of the time but on the river in the wind he gets me every time. As long as I'm catching, i don't mind the score card but I was getting frustrated when I knew the fish were there, biting and I couldn't buy a bite.
Turkey sandwich reply :
There's some good advice on here and some I disagree with. Fluro will help some with the wind and allow the line to get down. I think having a separate spool comes in handy in some cases and this can be one. That said, if you've got 1/8-1/4oz of lead on that jig, your lure is getting down regardless of mainline and a leader running over 10' on a spinning reel is a disaster waiting to happen. It'll mess up casting distance, can cause loose loops on your Spool, and is just asking for tangles.
The fly fishing analogy is really good, but for different reasons. Fly casting requires a heavy line to throw a light fly. Spinning/casting gear uses a heavy lure to throw light line. Your issue doesn't sound like it's casting into the wind, but rather with the drift. That said, successful fly fishing comes from maintaining a natural drift while keeping contact with the fly. This sounds exactly like your problem. Floating fly line is super bouyant and bright for watching, not unlike high vis braid. A good fly caster will mend their line to keep their drift natural and keep contact with their presentation. While drifting subsurface nymphs, they'll also use a strike indicator (bobber) to make it easier to watch. I apologize for the length of the explanation, but the "why" is important. Your tackle has features that you may not be using for their benefits. Learning how to watch your line and how to properly mend it will absolutely put fish in your boat. To learn how to mend, check out the Orvis YouTube channel.
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