Where Do You Draw The Line With Wind?

[sbfishySC]

I'm a new boater, and the forecast for this weekend is temps in the 70s but with 20mph winds. I have a 16 foot procraft bass boat with a 45# trolling motor. I want to get out there bad, but the 20 mph wind forecast is tempting me to stay in as I'm not sure how it will work out. Where do you guys draw the line when going out with wind? Any advice on handling boating/fishing in the wind for a new boater?

[Brian Needham]

my weekend forecast is S at 15.........this makes me stay home. I want to get out bad too, but my lakes get pretty rough in that kind of wind, you can t enjoy yourself so why go?

[BassinB]

I draw the line at 30mph. Less than that i see it as a challenge

[Long Mike]

Unless I can fish sheltered areas, I avoid any wind over 15mph, and I have an 18-footer.  If you're fishing a big lake it's more trouble than it's worth, and can be downright dangerous.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I guess you have to relate the wind to how your particular lake behaves. 15-20mph winds is quite common where Im at and Ive been out in 20mph with my inflatable with a 55# TM. If I didnt go out in 15mph I might as well not own a boat. My lakes are small though 40-300acres so think that helps. I can crosscut to otherside going head-on is slow going but doable.  

I used to have a 14'jon boat on the same lakes with just 5hp & 30#tm and it handled 15-20.

[Jig Man]

I normally stay home with sustained winds over 25 depending on the lake and the way it is layed out.  Some lakes around SW MO are flatland lakes and get really rough with winds over 25 while some have large creeks and coves where one can fish and still have a good chance of catching.

 

I listen to the forcast and plan my launch and fishing areas with respect to wind direction and speed.  You'll have to learn your boat and water to see what it and you can take and still enjoy your self.  The first consideration for any trip should be your and your guest's safety.  If you are questioning yourself, STAY HOME.

[The Rooster]

I don't stay home, I just bank fish if winds are over 15 mph. I have a 16' aluminum deep V with 88 HP outboard and 55# thrust trolling motor. Plenty of motor for wind but the boat has a high profile in the water so strong winds blow me around too much. I just stand on the banks and fish while cussing.

[Bankbeater]

I draw the line when I see whitecaps on the water.

[wnybassman]

A few things determine where to draw the line.  If I am having great difficulty getting from the cockpit to the bow due to the waves, and I have crawled to the front before.  If so many waves are breaking over the side of the boat that both my bilge pumps cannot keep up with the water, it's a good time to get out of there.  And if my trolling motors craps out due to constant high power use, and even then I have used the outboard to maintain position before.

 

Under all of those conditions the PFD never comes off.  It's all relative though as for wind speed.  Lake Erie gets kinda nasty with 15+ mph west winds, although I have been out the in 5+ footers numerous times and once (only once lol) in 6-8 footers.  Inland lakes are different.  Most of ours are North/South oriented so a north or south wind makes them kick up worse, although it is easier to maintain position/course than a very strong west wind.  I have fished in 40+ mph winds a couple times and 30+ more times than I can remember.  If it just gets too uncomfortable I pull the plug.

[aharris]

I think I'm gonna wait til Sunday and pray it isnt quite that bad.

[flyfisher]

I usually tailor my location to fish based on the winds.  There are a few lakes i don't even look at the forecast and others where i will avoid if it gets above 15-20mph.  Of course since i am in a kayak i also make the decision of do i go with my hybrid, aka not self bailing, or my SOT boat for safety reasons.

 

 

Bottom line is i don't get to fish that often so unless the weather is ridiculously bad i am going out.

[clayton86]

Wind sent me home yesterday but it was bank fishing. 16* after the wind chill and I was watching my braid actually freeze during the cast so we packed up.

I'll be kayak fishing mostly this season on the smaller lakes and bays on lake Ontario. Iv had the canoe out in some windy conditions it was mostly a pain in the arse to keep it where I wanted I usually would paddle past the spot and let the wind drift me into position.

[11justin22]

Went last weekend in 25-30 on alake that gets very bad in the wind. I just avoid the bad parts and stay on the leeward side and out of the wind. I also have a lake that doesn't matter how much the wind is blowing its fairly calm. Sheltered by mountains on all sides.

[BrettD]

30 mph is about my limit it just gets to tough to cast past that. Having a powerpole on those 20-30mph days is a big help.

[WRB]

It really depends on the body of water how wind affects it. If it's safe to launch and retrieve your boat, that is one consideration. If you fish wind blown open water areas, that is another consideration. If the lake has white caps on waves, the wind blown waves are 2' or higher, it's time to find shelter.

Tom

[senile1]

As some have stated above, it depends on the lake.  Almost every lake of a few hundred acres or more will have protected spots and many smaller lakes do also.  The problem is driving through unprotected water to reach those spots.  I have taken more than my fair share of chances on windy lakes, mainly because I have to fish when I get the chance or I won't be fishing very much.  However, if I have a few lakes from which to choose, the wind speed will affect which lake I fish.  Higher winds lead me to more protected lakes.  If sustained wind speeds are 30 mph or higher I usually stay off the water.

 

One question:

I have noticed that when the wind speed is 20 mph at my house, on the lake it seems like it is higher.  I have wondered if this is caused by different wind temperatures above land as opposed to above water leading to more turbulence.  I have no science to back that up, but I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this or does it just seem more turbulent when I am on the water in a boat.  I have read that extremely large lakes like the Great Lakes do have effects on weather due to the uptake of moisture but I wonder at what size that effect would become negligible to nonexistent.

[slonezp]

It depends. Many of us are stupid enough to go out in rough conditions.  Being smart enough to know when to call it quits and make it in safely, whether it be 5 minutes or 5 hours, is key. I don't care how big a boat you have. Being able to control it under adverse conditions is a necessity. This, unfortunately takes practice. To the OP. May I suggest looking into taking some USCG classes. They offer them online and in person. I'm amazed at the amount of boaters who don't know their azz from a hole in the ground when it comes to water safety. 

[RyneB]

Unless I can fish sheltered areas, I avoid any wind over 15mph, and I have an 18-footer.  If you're fishing a big lake it's more trouble than it's worth, and can be downright dangerous.

this is my philosophy. Although if im on a fishing trip where i have driven many hours. I will just find sheltered areas and stay as close to the ramp as i feel comfortale.

[slonezp]

As some have stated above, it depends on the lake.  Almost every lake of a few hundred acres or more will have protected spots and many smaller lakes do also.  The problem is driving through unprotected water to reach those spots.  I have taken more than my fair share of chances on windy lakes, mainly because I have to fish when I get the chance or I won't be fishing very much.  However, if I have a few lakes from which to choose, the wind speed will affect which lake I fish.  Higher winds lead me to more protected lakes.  If sustained wind speeds are 30 mph or higher I usually stay off the water.

 

One question:

I have noticed that when the wind speed is 20 mph at my house, on the lake it seems like it is higher.  I have wondered if this is caused by different wind temperatures above land as opposed to above water leading to more turbulence.  I have no science to back that up, but I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this or does it just seem more turbulent when I am on the water in a boat.  I have read that extremely large lakes like the Great Lakes do have effects on weather due to the uptake of moisture but I wonder at what size that effect would become negligible to nonexistent.

The Great Lakes affect the local weather. Early in the year, Lake Michigan keeps the Chicago lakefront cool and late year keeps it warm, relative to surrounding areas. The precipitation is higher all year but more noticible in winter as "lake effect" snow. During the warmer months it may just be humidity, mist, or clouds rather than actual rain. 

[Nitrofreak]

I think WRB said it best,  it really becomes a matter of being able to launch and retreive,  I too am like most here,  I can fish the upper regions of my favorite lake with winds above 20 mph and still have plenty of water to cover and remain safe,  while the lower and more wide open regions will be pretty dangerous to navigate.

 

Several things are really taken into account,  but the most important one I think about is the location of where I will be fishing in windy conditions,  I do not want to be anywhere near a bank if the wind is strong and or gusting strong,  trees fall at an even faster rate when being pushed by the wind,  if my anchor will not hold my boat position then I call it quits,  I was caught off gaurd one day by a sudden wind storm,  everything was nice and calm and within a matter of minutes,  the lake had 3 foot swells,  the marker bouy's were very difficult to locate,  other small craft was very difficult to track as well,  any trash like tree limbs were scattered everywhere.

 

20mph is about the max I would want to risk being on the water. 

[ClackerBuzz]

It depends. Many of us are stupid enough to go out in rough conditions.  Being smart enough to know when to call it quits and make it in safely, whether it be 5 minutes or 5 hours, is key. I don't care how big a boat you have. Being able to control it under adverse conditions is a necessity. This, unfortunately takes practice. To the OP. May I suggest looking into taking some USCG classes. They offer them online and in person. I'm amazed at the amount of boaters who don't know their azz from a hole in the ground when it comes to water safety. 

well said. you don't want to be that guy that everyone reads about in the newspaper..dead or alive.

sounds like ur new to boating so learn how to fish in 5mph..then 10mph..work your way up.

[Goaltender]

I fish Lake of the Ozarks almost exclusively. There in NEVER a day without wind, but luckily with all the twists, turns, and coves you can find a condition that works. I HATE wind and try to stay out of as much as possible. I only fish windy points on tournament days.

[CPBassFishing]

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.

[senile1]

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.

 

That's a very interesting point of view, and, being a boater, it is one that I hadn't considered.  Thanks for bringing it up.

[clayton86]

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.

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.