Where Do You Draw The Line With Wind?

[CPBassFishing]

Ah the good ole days I think that was the best part about turning 16 do you know how hard it is to drag a deer with a Mt. Bike or all that fishing gear.

never tried.....my mom wouldn't let me touch a rifle let alone kill something with it. Having a tree hugger mom really stinks sometimes.

[LWD]

Hi, I'm a kayak fishermen, I draw the line at 15mph, but if its over 10 I know I'm usually going to have a hard time trying to cast and paddle at the same time.  Anchors are good for holding my kayak still, One time I went out in fair wind around 12mph, but as the day progressed the wind increased to 30mph gusts and I could not make it back to shore.  I had to land on someones private property and carry my kayak back about half a mile.  

[Darren.]

I've been out in my yak in 40 mph winds, white caps, etc. They whipped up out of nowhere (seemingly). Didn't stay out very long, needless to say, fortunately was close to shore.

 

I have learned some pretty good yak control in adverse conditions, but hate battling the wind regardless, so I try to find quiet or quieter spots to fish.

 

Safety is numero uno. I always think about what I have at home (wife, 4 sons) when conditions get bad. Is it worth staying on the water and potentially risking my life (even with a PFD on)? Would hate leaving my family asking why dad didn't get off the water when he knew better.

[Trailer]

I have a 17' 6" Aluminum bass boat. I fish a 40,000+ acre lake. I stay home anything 15+ mph. White capping and big swells are no fun on my lake. I figure "in like a lion, out like a lamb" for this time of year. I know there will be days this summer when I'm just praying for a 5mph gust to cool me off.

 

My two cents.

[clayton86]

It's windy again today and I'm debating taking my kayak out for the first time but where I'm going it's protected from the wind well after about a 400m paddle.

Idk of I'm gonna take any gear but just get out and learn the yak.

[Fishing Rhino]

I don't have any set limit.  It depends on several factors.  First, the ramp needs to be sheltered from the wind.  I won't launch where the wind is whipping onto the ramp.  The next consideration is how much sheltered fishable water there is which is sheltered from the wind.  Third, though it could be first is the temperature.  Wind and cool/cold temps do not go together in my book.

 

While I don't like fighting the wind with the trolling motor all day, I can tolerate it provided there are also sheltered areas where I can take a break and fish out of the wind. 

[Hyrule Bass]

I don't fish from a boat so my input may not matter much to all you boaters. I tend to draw the line at 15mph. I have to ride my bike 20 minutes to my favorite pond. Not that easy when you're carrying 3 rods, a 10lb backpack, and fighting headwinds the whole way.

 

hahaha you need a rod holder on your bike. you should try and design something you can add and remove easily to carry your rods, theyll look like big antennas on your bike lol...

[wnybassman]

hahaha you need a rod holder on your bike. you should try and design something you can add and remove easily to carry your rods, theyll look like big antennas on your bike lol...

 

 

He would need to be especially careful around lightning though.    lol

[sbfishySC]

Great input, thanks everyone. I figured 15-20 mph would probably be my limit seeing as I'm new to boating. I've taken a boater safety course and wear my life jacket at all times when outboard is running, but no point in risking it in high winds when I can go another day. 

The wind at the launch ramp is a good point. I'm still learning to load straight as it is, high winds won't help.

Most of my lakes have coves that I can get out of the wind, but I'd have to go out to the main lake first to get to them.

Staying in this weekend I think with the wind forecast around 20 with hopes next weekend will be better.

[Jake P]

15 mph max. any more than 15, I'm out brutha.

[papajoe222]

If I'm intent on fishing, like in a tourney or when I've driven six hours to fish, I'll stick it out as long as I can maintain control with my 24volt t/m or an anchor.  It may require the use of a drift sock, but if I'm still moving too fast with the drift sock, or the anchor won't hold, it's time to find someplace where they will.

[SirSnookalot]

I've got experience in inland lakes, great lakes and the ocean.  The great lakes may offer the tougher conditions to fish because there is a difference in the waves and boat construction.  I am more comfortable in the ocean with a 5' wave and 20 mph wind than I would be in the great lakes with 3' and 15 mph.  Great lakes waves are choppier and ocean waves are much further apart.  Fishing production is generally better on rough days in the ocean, in the great lakes I've always done better on calmer days.  

[Bluebasser86]

I've fished through straight 30-35mph winds with gusts to 50 a few times. The wind always blows here, if we get a 10-15mph wind that's pretty good. 

[Traveler2586]

Some real good advice above.
 

The big consideration for me, as some others have addressed, is launch and retrieve at the ramp; and whether you’re by yourself or not.  The wind can make boat handling at the ramp very difficult, if not dangerous; and you can do some real damage to your boat if it gets blown into or under a dock. I’ve seen this happen, it can cost some real $$$$ so don’t let it happen to you.
 

You have to gain experience through time on the water with your boat to know what you can handle. As suggested, play it safe and take it one step at a time; learn how the seasonal winds work on your body of water and where the quiet areas are, you’ll need to know this to seek shelter if you find yourself in a sudden blow.
 

Also, as suggested, take some boating safety classes. IMHO, the instructor driven classes are better than the on-line course because you can ask questions and have open discussions on topics of interest to the class which means you learn more.  I can tell you first hand that if you think you know boating safety you’re wrong, there’s always something more to learn.
 

Well that’s my $.02 worth…

 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Great input, thanks everyone. I figured 15-20 mph would probably be my limit seeing as I'm new to boating. I've taken a boater safety course and wear my life jacket at all times when outboard is running, but no point in risking it in high winds when I can go another day. 

The wind at the launch ramp is a good point. I'm still learning to load straight as it is, high winds won't help.

Most of my lakes have coves that I can get out of the wind, but I'd have to go out to the main lake first to get to them.

Staying in this weekend I think with the wind forecast around 20 with hopes next weekend will be better.

Have you ever been on the same lake with others during windy days?

If not I would suggest, instead of staying in, take a drive to the lake/dock area and observe the water take notice of how the other boaters are handleing the wind and what the wind is doing to the lake. Maybe get a chance to ask specific boaters coming back in how it is out there. Sort-of like a scouting report.

[slonezp]

If I'm intent on fishing, like in a tourney or when I've driven six hours to fish, I'll stick it out as long as I can maintain control with my 24volt t/m or an anchor.  It may require the use of a drift sock, but if I'm still moving too fast with the drift sock, or the anchor won't hold, it's time to find someplace where they will.

I have caught more "money" fish in adverse conditions than not. If there wasn't a tourney involved I never would have gone out. I pray for crappy conditions on tourney day. (That last statement is going to jinx me.)

[Traveler2586]

I have caught more "money" fish in adverse conditions than not. If there wasn't a tourney involved I never would have gone out. I pray for crappy conditions on tourney day. (That last statement is going to jinx me.)

Ya, it will..... That's all you'll catch....  Crappy

 

And now we know why your a physical wreck

 

I don't know that I could ride the bow in a blow any longer; the ole balance isn't what it was back in the day......