Finesse Fishing In The Wind?

[Tim Kelly]

What do you do when it's really windy and the fish only want finesse presentations?

 

We were out today and faced with exactly that problem. Had a few on drop shot and tubes over 20+ft early on before the wind really got going. They wouldn't have a go at anything fished faster or more aggressively, that we could fish effectively, but we struggled to boat a few more before the day was out on finessy things, but were never really fishing well once it got too windy. It was impossible to fish with the rod high, as the wind just blew it all over the place and the boat was drifting too fast to really be able to do much more than drag it as slowly as we could with the rod tips on the water.

 

Any tricks, or is it just a case of suffering it and hoping for the wind to drop? 

[Senko lover]

I can't stand doing it. It can be done, but when I can't pay good attention to my line, I don't fish finesse stuff.

[mjseverson24]

C-rig... its really tough to do a true finesse in the wind, so I think a C-Rig is as god as it gets on those days... 

 

Mitch

[HoosierHawgs]

Fish a spinnerbait....

[Wayne P.]

I cast into the wind or down wind when possible, and hold the rod tip close to the water's surface.That will take care of line bow. I fish weightless plastics no matter what the wind conditions are.

I give the fish what they want and don't go fishless with some presentation they don't want.

[Crestliner2008]

When the wind is howling, whatever fish you are targeting are usually in a more aggressive mood. Consequently, finesse presentations might not be your best option. If you know that they will respond to finesse, then you might consider drifting a plastic bait on a jig head. The Carolina rig is a good option, if the fish are positioned close to the bottom. But if they are feeding, chances are they will be higher in the water column. This is a good opportunity to try this drifting technique. 

 

Case in point, while crappie fishing, if the wind kicks up, we go to the drift right away. You'd be surprised how high in the water column crappie will suspend in a 15 - 25 mph wind. We even catch yellow perch this way, so I don't see where it would be any different with bass. Something to think about.

[Jig Man]

Most of what I do is finesse fishing.  I always point the boat into the wind for maximum boat control.  I use what ever size weights to allow me to fish the bait the way I want to fish it.  I may use anything from a 1/16 head to 1/2 oz on the same bait as the wind dictates.   

 

I have an 82 # thrust trolling motor and don't fish with anyone who doesn't have a strong one.  In my type of setup boat control is the most important factor that there is.   I never drift as I lose all of my boat control and presentation. 

[RB 77]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Keep usiung the drop shot just up-size to a larger weight. You are still presenting them with a finesse option, except now you can keep presenting your bait in the strike zone

[OkobojiEagle]

Anchor...

 

 

oe

[Darren.]

I consider most of what I throw and how

I fish to be "finesse". I've been in some 

hefty winds with white caps and can attest

an anchor or anchor pin is quite helpful.

 

That said, when I want to throw wacky, in

order to get the bait down, I'll tie on a wacky

jig. Have to keep the rod tip down in the 

higher winds.

 

More weight, obviously, will help your bait

get down to your desired depth better....

[Tim Kelly]

Thanks guys, frustrating isn't it! I think the carolina rig suggestion was probably a good one I could have used if I'd thought of it. Will give it a go next time. Unfortunately no trolling motor, just drifting with drift socks out

[Comfortably Numb]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Keep usiung the drop shot just up-size to a larger weight. You are still presenting them with a finesse option, except now you can keep presenting your bait in the strike zone

 

This was going to be my reccomendation also if that is what you are comfortable with. I never understand why people fish a DS with such a light weight anyway.

 

Or a C-rig.

[Bankbeater]

I anchor the boat and pay attention to where I am casting.  If I am throwing into the wind, I keep the rod tip down on the cast and keep the cast short.  If I am throwing with the wind I tend the let the bait fly, but I keep an eye on the line going out so it doesn't get tangled around something.

[roadwarrior]

GYCB Kut Tail on a 3/8 oz MegaStrike ShakE2 jig head

 

 

 

 

[Master Bait'r]

On those days I'll almost automatically try a small suspending jerkbait or crank over a light finesse worm.

They're generally well designed and so are much easier to cast but still let you just stall it and it'll sit there and twerk for a while to tease those weary fish.

I find it helps on those days where you just can't get that weightless 4" worm out there, y'know?

[WRB]

Finesse fishing in wind is common out west in deep rocky structure lakes where it's normally 15-25 mph wind in the afternoon. The keys to success is learning how to use sonar and boat control to stay near the bass.
Always fish into the wind and use your bow mounted trolling motor to keep the boat positioned. Sonar with GPS allows the use of way point icons to help keep a visual where you are or use marker buoys.
Cold water period:
The drop shot rig is ideal, use enough weight to feel the bottom, keep your rod tip down and use finesse tackle. Casting jigs into the wind and working them back along the bottom keeping the rod tip point at the jig, or swimming a dart head with 4-4/12" curl worm. Structure spoons and ice jigs are also very effective vertical presentations in wind.
Suggest you get Don Iovino's book Finesse Bass a Fishing and the Sonar Connection, dated still good info.
Tom
 

[fisherrw]

I just try other stuff when it gets windy!!!