Fishing in the wind 2024

Osprey39 reply :

So there is a little club tournament coming up on a small lake nearby (if you call 100 miles away nearby. That's New Mexico for you.) I went out yesterday to scout out the lake a bit and about 30 minutes after I got on the water the wind started to blow hard (30+ mph) and it never stopped. Boat positioning became more than a chore and I had to pay more attention to that than actually fishing.

Normally when the wind comes up like that I find some coves I can fish that are somewhat sheltered but this lake is small and mostly round. There really are no coves on it. I stuck it out for a few hours but then I packed up and made the long drive home.

My question to you all is this: Assuming you have to be out in conditions like that (fishing a tourney, drove too far to just say 'screw it' and go home), how do you approach it? Do you battle with the wind and try to use the trolling motor? Do you just find a promising spot and anchor for awhile, rinse and repeat?

I'm trying to figure out what my best bet is in case the conditions are like that during the tournament.

florida strain reply :

look for areas with your graph, or go to a place you think you can catch fish and power pole or anchor down, so the wind is at your back. get on a pattern and move to those types off places doing the same thing

Sam reply :

Suggestions:

1. Find cove to get out of the wind.

2. Use spinning gear to avoid backlashes on baitcasters.

3. Use Suspend-Dots on crankbaits to give them additional weight.

4. Use lead strips on spinnerbaits to give them more weight.

5. With choppy water due to the wind try spinnerbaits.

6. May have some luck with a swimbait for larger bass after you get your limit.

7. Fish banks where the wind will be blowing onto the shore as the baitfish will be moved onto the bank by the wind.

8. Watch for whitecaps. If you see them, head for safe harbor.

9. Wear PFD at all times and have cushion ready to throw just in case.

10. Read articles on fishing in the wind.

Good luck. Let us know how you do and what you did.

bassman31783 reply :

I HATE battling wind. With that said, some of my most productive days have been when it's super windy.

1. I always find a spot that is or should be productive & anchor down. I can't stress the importance of an anchor for me. My Bass Tracker is aluminum which makes it very easy for the wind to blow around & by using an anchor I'm able to concentrate on fishing instead of fighting for boat position all day.

2. Don't cast with the wind because your less likely to get bit. Don't cast directly into the wind because you'll probably get a backlash. Cast at a 45 degree angle into the wind. It brings your bait back to the boat with the natural current that the wind is creating, making it more realistic for the bass.

3. Use heavier baits. Sam suggested swimbaits & I couldn't agree with him more. It is my most productive windy weather bait. Spinnerbaits are also great windy weather baits.

stratos 375 reply :

Osprey, although I agree with some of the suggestions the others have mentioned, some I respectfully do not.

You did say there aren't any coves, so finding one is out of the question. Don't use your tr. mtr to fight the wind, you'll lose, and if you are using your tr. mtr. batteries for crankin your outboard, you could be in for a surprise when you go to start her. If you do decide to anchor in heavy wind, use a anchor scope of at least 8 to 1 or more, or you may just drag.

Spinny gear or casting, it don't matter, just don't try to defy physics and cast into the wind, just get the bait up in the air, mother nature will do the rest.

If you're talkin true 30 mph winds, you shouldn't be fishing an exposed lake anyway, but that's just me. The one place you want to avoid at all costs is the banks that have the wind blowin on them, I wouldn't go anywhere near them. They'll be the banks that benefit from the increased wind fetch and the waves will be significantly larger than on the lee end of the lake. If for some reason you'd ever lose power near those banks, your boat will be trashed.

As far as whitecaps, they'll start to form at around 12 mph, that's usually where I draw the line. True 30 mph wind under "average" conditions will produce 2-3 foot seas and the wind will start to knock the tops off of them making spray. You're gonna need a bigger boat for that.

As far as the baitfish being "moved" on to the windy banks, I hear this all the time and I don't buy into it. If the bait is on those banks, it's because they are there feeding, or they are there for a reason. They actually have little tiny fins and are capable of being just about anywhere they want. In some lakes where the surface currents are ripping across the lake, the water tries to "stack up" on the windy end and actually can produce a counter current situation several feet under. These are of course my own observations and may go against the grain of many fishermen much more experienced than I.

Me thinks any club member in charge or director type of person would throw the towel in upon seeing these type of conditions.

Brian B reply :

I have to agree with Stratos on several things.

1. Don't fight the wind with a trolling motor. I have found that I spend so much time with the tm, i dont concentrate on fishing, which can completely blow your tournament.

2. I also agree about wind blown banks. I understand the theory, but I have not seen the results.

The last thing I would add is to use a side-arm/underhand cast that darts your lure through the air, rather than over hand, which will carry where you dont want it or cause serious backlash. Try to cast with your pole at 4 or 5 o'clock.

Osprey39 reply :

Stratos, to be honest, the sustained winds yesterday were probably more in the 25 mph area. It was definitely gusting over 30 though. It's a pretty small lake and there are some big islands in it that keep the waves from building too much so it never really got what I would call rough but I spent most of the day in a high walled canyon that the river channel runs through and I was somewhat sheltered from the wind.

I can tell you this much though, I have a Tracker 190TX and it has a 24v 71lb thrust trolling motor on it. Under normal circumstances, that trolling motor is way more power than I need but hey, it came on the boat when I bought it. It has 5 speeds and I normally leave it on 1, maybe 2 if I'm in a hurry. Yesterday though, I had to put it on 4 just to be able to move the boat forward directly into the wind. On 3 it was pretty much a stalemate and 2 or 1 I was moving backwards.

I agree, those are lousy conditions to try to fish under but the big downside to living where I do is believe it or not, that is the closest lake to me with no motor restrictions. Since I drove the 100 miles to get there, I didn't want to just pack up and go home without trying.

I'm hoping that the wind isn't like that when the tournament rolls around but that is the 3rd time I've been to that lake and every time I've been there it has gotten windy at some point albeit not as bad as it was yesterday. Usually whenever I'm thinking about going there and I check the weather, it always says at least 15mph winds. I talked to some of my co-workers this morning and they told me it wasn't that windy here in Albuquerque at all so I think that lake may just be one of those places that windy = normal and I'm preparing accordingly.

burleytog reply :

Let the wind push me.

detroit1 reply :

Get the biggest wind anchor (drift sock) that you can find. Clip it to your bow-eye, which keeps your bow facing the wind, and it can slow you down enough to fish relatively effective. It's kept me from going home more times than i can remember....

BrianSnat reply :

If I can't find a sheltered cove sometimes I use the wind to my advantage and let it push the boat along and I troll with one rod or two rods and cast with another as I'm blown across the lake.

Sometimes I've used a drift sock and sometimes I battle the wind with my trolling motor. In the latter case I usually get frustrated after about an hour and head to shore.

Chaz Hickcox reply :

Whatever you do you have to find cover and fish around it. By that I mean the wind is providing current. The predators, any and all species will be sitting behind the cover out of the current. Cast the 45 degrees into the wind past the piece of cover you think is holding fish. Then bring your bait behind that cover. You should get nailed then. The predator is waiting for ambush back there (I say predator because I do the same thing here and will pick up LMB, pickerel, white perch, and unfortunately the occasional bowfin). I would say find a lay-down at one of the windswept points of the islands. Anchor on the protected side, and cast into the unprotected side to drag your unsuspecting bait that is running for cover right into the jaws of your sly little ambushing bass.

Glenn reply :

I've actually spent quite a bit of time researching this, as well as experiencing it.

I won't anchor in winds that strong. Usually the waves make the boat bounce around and all you end up doing is damaging the cleat where you tie your anchor to. Instead, I let the wind push me, using the trolling motor to help guide the boat.

Wind blown banks? You betcha! They can be gold mines, or total busts. You just have to try them. I know of a few banks on my local lakes that absolutely suck unless there's a strong wind blowing against them. Then it's game on!

In addition to the great advice already given by many folks in this thread, here's a few articles on fishing the wind:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/fishing_in_the_wind.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/wind_fish.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bass_fishing_wind.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/wind_fishing.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/wind_bass.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/wind.html

BassThumb reply :

Quote
I know of a few banks on my local lakes that absolutely suck unless there's a strong wind blowing against them. Then it's game on!

Game on is right! That wind pushes cool, oxygen rich water into the warm shallows in Summer and displaces small inverts from the sand and weeds, which brings the forage, which bring the bass. It also creates current, which create ambush points for the already amped-up bass. Good times.

I love fishing in the wind. It opens up so many possibilities, and limits a few as well.

SkeetyCCTX reply :

I live in south TX, where 30 mph winds are not uncommon. That being said, the only problem that I have with fishing under strong winds (20 mph plus) is that it can put a beating on yourself and equipment! I have lost and broken alot of stuff whiling powering through chop!

Recently, I went to Amistad for a tourny! Both the pre-fish day and the tourny day saw 30 mph winds with gust over 40 mph. Two boat had to be rescue by chopper! Now, I usually dont let wind dictate my fishing but you had to out of safety this time. We picked a boat ramp in a shallower more protected area of the lake, that way we could fish how we wanted with out fear of huge waves!

Now, we had to stay on the trolling motor all day but the fishing was pretty darn good. It was only my second time to the lake and I put up a 20 lb sack, which could have been better due to a break off and few misses! I fished C-Rigs the whole day, as they are a good way to fish when it is windy. Use a large weight to get to the bottom and to help when casting and keeping line tight! Also, use a bait that gets good action from moving water, such as a senko! Fish the bait fairly fast, dragging it along and covering water untill you find where fish are grouped up!

As a rule of thumb, I always use the wind to my advantage and dont get scared and go looking for cover! I like to fish penninsulas with mainlake on one side, and a creek/cove on the other if possible. I position myself right on the points, where the wind is blowing down the mainlake shoreline and meets the protected water by the backside creek. Bass will tend to stack up right on these break lines and nab bait that gets blown down the shoreline into this area. It is also easier to hold the boat bcause a bit of protection is offered!

This is where your electronics come into play. Run to different areas like this and do a check! Look for bait balls with bass below on these break lines.

Use wind to your advantage. The wind is your friend! Some of my best catching days have been extremely windy. It is just a pain in the but technically and on your equipment. Be safe though, its not worth losing your boat over!

Brewerbass reply :

Learn to use drift socks and your trolling motor in combination. It works and will allow for fishing in winds that drive most fishermen to the couch.

BigEbass reply :

I have read consistently from the big bait folks in articles and in forums that strong winds are a boon for the wake bait bite - those guys apparently get really excited when the wind get strong enough to make boat control difficult.

Having said that, I think safety first - I dont have alot of expeirence in those kinds of strong winds to date, but know your own personal limits and that of your equipment.

I have read that wind doesnt move fish themselves, rather it simply moves and concentrates the food chain, the plankton and stuff that the smaller baitfish want to eat moves with the surface current, so does the baitfish - thus so does the predator fish....thats what I have read anyway - I dont think these winds really "move fish" themselves - but that is all semantics really.....

I cast into the wind - not 30mph wind - good luck doing that - I like to use wind to give my baits more vectors - a vector of movement from me reeling in the bait, from the wind/current, and perhaps from boat movement - my thoughts are that this will give a more realistic appearance and helplessness to the bait - and blammo ;D

I like to find transitions too between windy flats and wind protected areas - I think sometimes fish will use such a transition to their advantage.

Ok, those are just a few of my humble thoughts - probably already know all that anyway

A-Jay reply :

Anchoring safely is something that has not been mentioned in this thread and I'll admit I haven't read all the articles posted by Glenn so this may be contained in one or more of those.

Anchoring is one of those things that many folks take for granted and when the weather is calm there really isn't much to it - you toss it out and then, you pull it in.

This is what a career on the water has taught me about anchoring. Regardless of the weather conditions there is only 1 safe way to anchor any boat - and that is From The Bow. (Especially with a big O/B engine hanging off the stern). On calm days you can get way with simply tossing the thing over the port/starboard side or even off the stern but this is a very bad habit to get into because you may end up doing it on the wrong day. Even on an otherwise calm outing I've seen many vessels anchored off the stern with a very short scope of anchor line out, CAPSIZED by boat wakes. Again, deploying, securing and recovering an anchor, regardless of the level of inconvenience it may cause, is always done from the bow. As for anchor line length, in fairly calm conditions 5-7 times the depth of the water is standard. When attempting to hold a vessel in the conditions you described, 7-10 times the depth of the water is what is actually necessary to safely hold the bottom and often times that is not enough. So when you're in only 20 feet of water, you may need over 200 feet of anchor line. Very few vessels come with this much line and it's up to you to plan and equip your vessel appropriately. When anchored in any rough weather (or even heavy boat wakes) if your bow is coming close to dipping into or under water - your vessel is in danger of capsizing.

I would also encourage you to read up on and practice the proper techniques to recover a fouled anchor (one that is stuck or wedged on the bottom or an obstruction and can not be recovered in a conventional manner). This is another situation that many anglers have not encountered and another one that if not approached safely and with some fore thought can turn an otherwise fun day on the water into a very bad day, especially when you add adverse weather conditions to the equation.

Lastly, please teach your family and friends how and why to do it right as well, you'll be glad you did.

Stay Safe.

A-Jay

RoLo reply :

As most know, predatory fish feed on baitfish, and baitfish feed on zooplankton.

As a result, prey fish will follow windblown plankton literally across the lake,

where they tend to pile-up along downwind banks that often triggers a game fish blitz.

If the wind direction is parallel to the weed-line, you're in luck, because the wind will keep your boat

in pay dirt. On most days however, it'll be necessary to use the electric motor

to keep the boat over the breakline as it drifts with the wind. There'll be plenty of blustery days

when the wind drift is too swift for proper coverage. If I'm familiar with a known hotspot

I won't hesitate to anchor (I'm used to it, bottom-fishing in the ocean never gave me a choice).

I've used windsocks and sea anchors but find them more bother than they're worth.

In Florida's natural lakes, you'll be spending your day cleaning vegees from the drogue chute.

There is another choice:

The baitfish are there for the plankton, and are not particularly enthralled by wave action.

Even streamlined fish such as trout, only spend limited time directly in strong current

then seek current breaks where they burn less calories. It is possible for both baitfish and angler

to have it both ways, by seeking embayments along the windward shore.

Behind the entrance corner of every bay and cove you're bound to find a back-eddy.

Here you'll find the same accumulations of windblown bloom swirling slowly in the back-eddy

of neutral current. All backwater plankton doesn't guarantee a bite, but neither does

every windblown bank. In retrospect, we've found many places behind the entrance points

to bays and coves that harbored plankton, baitfish and game fish, but without strong wave-action and whitewater.

Roger

santacruz reply :

One thing bout trouney fishing in the wind,you said you go find coves and places where you can get out of the wind,and calm areas.You got to think every1 and there brother is doing the same.Like a few others said on here go out and battle that wind find wind blown points.Also try to find out how long those winds have been blowing.Rick clunn on basspros fishing show gives some good pointers on this,in his art of angling part of the show.

WRB reply :

I didn't read all the threads that Glenn posted and I'm sure they are informative.

Most public waterways that are subject to high winds will have a flag warning system.

1 red triangle flag, small craft warning = 21-38 mph sustained wind.

2 red triangle flags, Gale warning = 39-54 mph sustained wind.

Tournaments can't launch in small craft warning conditions and no fishing boats should be out in Gale waring conditions.

30 mph wind is small craft warning conditions and you should head back to the marina and get off the water.

We have the Colorado river system lakes and a lot of reservoirs in high wind areas, so wind is not uncommon out west. Today for example we are having sustained wind from 30 to 50 mph and most lakes will be closed.

Lets assume you are fishing in 15-20 mph wind;

Main lake areas like major points are good spots in the wind, unless it's spawning season.

Deep diving crankbaits.

Carolina rigged soft plastics, heavier sliding weight than normal.

Jigs; 3/4 to 1 oz.

Fish the upwind side of the points and any mud lines created by wave action.

WRB

Taylor Fishin 4 life reply :

I have alot of success on wind blown points and corners on lakes where all the water in being blown into it seems

SkeetyCCTX reply :

Also, about 99% of the time I garuntee that the guys cashing checks during windy day tournys are not the ones only fishing areas where they can "hide" out!

Get out there and battle, dont let the wind dictate how you will fish. However, be safe first, there is a point where it can become dangerous!

Catt reply :

When facing windy one must consider is it windy because of pre-frontal conditions, post frontal conditions, or high pressure blue bird sky conditions. Each of the above mentioned conditions require different approaches to try and scratch out a limit.

Pre-frontal conditions are the easiest to address because the bass should remain active until the actual day of the front. One should be able to catch bass in protected coves and on the back side of points. Just as mentioned wind blown points can be very productive but my I suggest you approach from the backside working you're way toward the end where the wind comes around the point.

Post frontal and high pressure conditions are a little more difficult to unlock due to the fact the bass will be highly inactive. The key areas will remain the same but you should plan on fishing real slow and tight to cove.

Bait presentations would be any thing you can cast easily with out back lashing; usually heavier lures. One should also consider fishing deep instead of shallower because deeper bass are less affected by frontal conditions. Due to safety factors I would avoid main lake structure and instead concentrate on deep structure in areas with tall trees or high banks that offer protection from the wind

WRB reply :

If you have the option to get off the high wind main lake zones and move to large bays and long creek arms, wind isn't too much of a problem other than the ride back to the launch ramp.

Bowl shaped lakes with few bays and no creek arms can be very dangerous in high winds and difficult to fish. All you can do is fish areas with less wind and waves problems. Better yet, go home.

Cold fronts with high sky and high wind are tough conditions for everyone and common during the spring transition period.

WRB

PS; big swimbaits are extremely difficult to cast and fish slow enough in high winds. Light wind up to 15 mph is good for swimbaits as the wave action helps to break up the light rays and the swimbait appear more realistic.

Tin reply :

The wind is a fisherman's best friend 99% of the time. Makes locating them easier and the less visibility makes them more..courageous shall we say.

roadwarrior reply :

Maybe "The wind is your friend," but it's never

been a friend of mine.

:-?

Tin reply :

Quote
Maybe "The wind is your friend," but it's never
been a friend of mine.

:-?

Clear cold rocky lake + wind + jerkbait = Lots of smallies

(North of the Mason Dixon any way)

roadwarrior reply :

Clear cold rocky lake + wind + jerkbait = Lots of smallies

I could be wrong... :

Tin reply :

Like I said north of the Line, lol. And I don't know how the wind translates into places with current where you fish.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Quote
Clear cold rocky lake + wind + jerkbait = Lots of smallies
I could be wrong... :

Yeah, you are. ;D

I dont like the wind for the reason of it being a PITA with boat control.

I love the wind for fishing big baits and clear water though.

roadwarrior reply :

It comes from being a river rat.

Wind plays havoc and when it's

strong, ruins drift fishing. I can't

think of any advantages for river

fishing.

8-)

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

I can, like when the TVA isn't pulling any water.

Probably isn't an issue right below the dam, but midlake I could see it helping.

Dwight Hottle reply :

Tin got it right. The wind is a fisherman's best friend 99% of the time. Makes locating them easier and the less visibility makes them more..courageous shall we say. It just makes for tough boat control. And don't forget wind & waves will put the fish shallow & put the fish higher into the water column.

WRB reply :

Quote

Quote
Maybe "The wind is your friend," but it's never
been a friend of mine.

:-?

Clear cold rocky lake + wind + jerkbait = Lots of smallies

(North of the Mason Dixon any way)

This thread started out with a ? about how to fish in 30 mph wind.

Anyone who has ever been on the water in high winds like 30 mph knows it's nearly impossible to maintain boat control with white caps crashing over the bow, let alone cast lures and fish.

A light to moderate breeze up to 20 mph is about as strong of wind you can control a bass and fish. 25 mph wind or higher is considered dangerous.

A light breeze is a fisherman's friend and high wind isn't.

WRB

Tin reply :

Come fish what we deal with in New England and on the Great Lakes. They are called 101 36 volt motors. Most of our lakes have a constant sea breeze from March until June and we deal with 15 o 30 mph winds all the time. It is just a part of fishing. You put on the biggest motor you can, put the nose in the wind, crank the brakes and spool tension up, and go. We just picked up a 101 for our 18' Stratos because of wind issues and there are only 6 or 7 lakes in the state where you can turn the key on a motor over 9.9.

This Pic doesn't do it justice but this is on Indian Lake which is about 5 miles from Gansett Bay. This was in easily 25 mph and there were lots of white caps. It is only a 250 acre lake but we do it on our one 1000 acre puddle as well. Ask Matt 5.0 about it, LOL. I swapped armatures out on the TM and turned a 50 pound thrust into an 80 on my 17 foot Tracker. Worst comes to worst you do drifts with drift socks. We have some lakes that are very narrow and almost river lake and are fishable in 40-50mph winds. We don't have much in the way of hills either so it is not like a wind tunnel where the lakes are situated.

Dave P reply :

If it's that windy, I generally do the drift. I drag soft swimbaits on or near the bottom.

stratos 375 reply :

Mr. Tin, if you say that this pic is in 25 mph easily, you're correct, it doesn't do it justice. That water is showing me no more than a Beaufort 3, that's just a breeze, I don't see any whitecaps, the crests are just starting to break. I can run 55 over that chop all day. If it was a true 25, there would be a sea of whitecaps and you'd have a hard time standing there. Your wind speed estimation needs some work.

Pretty fish.

Tin reply :

Granted Beaufort Scale is meant to be on the open water not a 200 acre lake but that would mean I was in 1.5 to 3 footers in a 17 foot Tracker and would love to see you run 55 mph over them. Then again I would like to see a Stratos 375 go 55 mph.

The purpose of this was to show that you can fish in the wind and run a trolling motor when it is windy. Guys drag tubes with 3/4oz heads, drop shot, throw heavy spinnerbaits, and big jerkbaits. It is very possible and a lot of people do it.

WRB reply :

there is a big difference between wind gusts and sustained wind. A 21' bass boat with 250 hp is no match sustained wing over 25 mph in open water on a big lake. wind at 20 mph with gust up 50 mph is fishable on some waters, dangerous but possible to fish.

Lake Mead isn't the Great lakes, but this desert lake can be mean with sustained wind over 25 mph; 6 to 8 waves are common.

If the Coast Guard is responsible for navigable waterways and you violate wind warnings like small craft flags, you are at your own risk and no insurance will cover your accident. Use common sense.

We fish in waves over 2' as common place and it's difficult to maintain boat control or stand up front on the trolling. 3' to 4' waves are common with sustain 25 mph wind on most lakes and not fishable, you can't stand up in any bass boat under those conditions.

WRB

Catt reply :

There are certain regions of the country where wind is a constant part of fishing and there are certain regions of the country where wind is usually associated with frontal conditions. Each has distinct and separate set of circumstances associated with fishing those regions of the country.

On the wide open lakes of the northern states there are no areas in which one can find refuge from the wind so anglers must learn to deal with the conditions they are given. On the huge reservoirs in the south there are numerous areas in which one can find refuge from the wind and still catch bass.

While to many wind is their friend 99% of the time I believe is more like 75-80% of the time in my region of the country. A north west, north, or north east wind indicates a cold front is approaching which will absolutely shut down the bass. Where as a south west, south, or south east wind indicates a warm front is approaching which will absolutely send the bass into a feeding frenzy.

WRB reply :

Quote
There are certain regions of the country where wind is a constant part of fishing and there are certain regions of the country where wind is usually associated with frontal conditions. Each has distinct and separate set of circumstances associated with fishing those regions of the country.
On the wide open lakes of the northern states there are no areas in which one can find refuge from the wind so anglers must learn to deal with the conditions they are given. On the huge reservoirs in the south there are numerous areas in which one can find refuge from the wind and still catch bass.

While to many wind is their friend 99% of the time I believe is more like 75-80% of the time in my region of the country. A north west, north, or north east wind indicates a cold front is approaching which will absolutely shut down the bass. Where as a south west, south, or south east wind indicates a warm front is approaching which will absolutely send the bass into a feeding frenzy.

The number of years you have been fishing east Texas your on the water experience is valuable. The few times I have had the opportunity the fish your area, I'm always surprised how fast weather can change. Out west we have advanced warning most of the time and rarely get caught out on the water in severe wind. Sun downers afternoon or santana winds are predictable.

Tom

Catt reply :

It's often said if you don't like our weather wait 30 minutes it'll change

90x reply :

i think i have lost more lures on a windy day than any other. easy to see why. I also become the most frustrated. I have to say I hate the wind and have never caught a fish on a windy day. When it is calm, I am there. If there is wind, i usually dont even try.

(Bank Fisherman).

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