Fishing The Wind?

[Mccallister25]

I always hear people say that wind blows bait to the banks, and its a good place to start when bank fishing. Question is, when I go out, could I just check the direction the wind is blowing on my phone and start on the corresponding bank? Is that basically the gist of what people talk about when saying this?

Iv really tried to start fishing a lot smarter this year. Always trying to up my chances. Always striving to be better!!

[HoosierHawgs]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/156895-bank-fishing-on-windy-days/?fromsearch=1

[CRANKENSTIEN]

I always hear people say that wind blows bait to the banks, and its a good place to start when bank fishing. Question is, when I go out, could I just check the direction the wind is blowing on my phone and start on the corresponding bank? Is that basically the gist of what people talk about when saying this?

Iv really tried to start fishing a lot smarter this year. Always trying to up my chances. Always striving to be better!!

 

For me yes to some degree.  Of course it is best if it is blowing into a location you like to fish at any time.  Try to envision which way the bait is moving and present your bait in that manner.  On my lake seagulls can sometimes be near locations I am considering fishing as well.   Although I have seen colder water days when I can be more successful fishing the non wind blown water bank which has the son warming it.  I do like the wind so I usually start there.  

[Mccallister25]

Thanks for the replies so far. When I presented this question, I was actually wondering about your average day with wind less than "windy". Just don't want it to get confused. I know how to fish my waters on moderately gusty days. I'm just curious as to starting off my fishing trips on the banks opposite of ANY given breeze.

Example: if the wind is blowing from say, the south, would it be beneficial to start on the northern bank? Even if the wind is barely even there?

Edit: I hope this is making sense. Kinda hard for me to explain 100% what I'm getting at.

[CRANKENSTIEN]

All things being similar I would choose to fish the water which has a ripple on it. So yes if the wind is out of the south, I would fish a northern bank.   I would say for a wind to have a real effect on an area it should be blowing into it for a few hours or more and be blowing at least 10 mph with gust. 

[Mccallister25]

All things being similar I would choose to fish the water which has a ripple on it. So yes if the wind is out of the south, I would fish a northern bank. I would say for a wind to have a real effect on an area it should be blowing into it for a few hours or more and be blowing at least 10 mph with gust.

Awesome. You pretty much summed up what I was looking for. Thank ya sir!

[HoosierHawgs]

All things being similar I would choose to fish the water which has a ripple on it. So yes if the wind is out of the south, I would fish a northern bank. I would say for a wind to have a real effect on an area it should be blowing into it for a few hours or more and be blowing at least 10 mph with gust.

But since all things are not equal.. Factor in time of year, sun, all of that good stuff

[papajoe222]

The presence of wind can be beneficial in determining where active fish may be located, but it isn't the only or most important factor the majority of time.  As a bank fisherman, however, you are limited as to the factors you are able to observe.  A steady breeze that has been blowing in the same direction for some time will move the forage the baitfish feed on to the windy side of the lake. IF the bait follows AND the fish follow the bait, the windy side would be the place to start as other factors such as depth, structure, and the presence of cover are unknown factors to you.  As noted, the time of year needs to be considered as prior to late post spawn, the wind would actually not be of benefit, but could actually deter fish from using that shore.

[WRB]

Nearly every regional zone has seasonal prevailing wind, similar direction and velocity. What changes wind direction and velocity are high pressure fronts. If you fish from the bank you know what your prevailing wind conditions are. I would only make a decision based on wind if the direction and velocity differs from the norm.

Lakes with bait fish, frog, insects, crawdads etc that don't have plankton eating bait fish, the wind protected areas can be good. Lakes with Shad population that feed on plankton, the wind blown shores are often good. Wave action can create current and mud lines that stir up bass feeding activity, but not always. Points that break up the wave action are usually good, the bass use the structure to triap prey against.

Tom

[rybobassmaster]

Thanks for the replies so far. When I presented this question, I was actually wondering about your average day with wind less than "windy". Just don't want it to get confused. I know how to fish my waters on moderately gusty days. I'm just curious as to starting off my fishing trips on the banks opposite of ANY given breeze.

Example: if the wind is blowing from say, the south, would it be beneficial to start on the northern bank? Even if the wind is barely even there?

Edit: I hope this is making sense. Kinda hard for me to explain 100% what I'm getting at.

A good rule of thumb is to point your finger the direction of the wind and where your finger is pointing is generally the side you would want to fish.

[geo g]

I always check the wind before leaving the house and plan the trip accordingly.  If the wind is below 12 MPH I don't consider it a problem and will fish where and how I want.  15 to 25 I will alter what I do so the wind will be a friend and not a constant pain in the ***.  I will pick a spot that II can blow through with the wind to my back.  I will always use a drift bag because I don't have power poles, and this inexpensive tool real reduces your forward drift speed.  This makes casting a breeze, in clear water it keeps you in stealth mode, and with the help of the wind, long casts..  Very important when fishing is tough.  Let the wind be your friend and don't fight it all day.  With all this being said, I still don't like strong wind.

[RoLo]

In hindsight, some of the fastest fishing I've experienced took place along windblown banks and reefs.

Although wind-generated feeding binges are real, they're far from a given.

When there's a steady wind from the same direction, a couple of factors come into play:

 

1) Baitfish feed on buoyant rafts of plankton that are blown around by the wind. 

    Unlike residential gamefish that tend to lie in ambush, baitfish are obligated to chase after windblown rafts of plankton. 

    When a school of baitfish is blown onto a prominent holding site, it will generally trigger a wind-generated feeding binge.

 

2) If the wind is brisk and prolonged, it will also push the warm surface layer of water toward the downwind shores,

    and with or without plankton, rising water temperatures tend to elevate the activity level of fish.

 

Be that as it may, fishing along windblown banks is a mixed bag. Although it "might" provide fast fishing,

it "always" makes for annoying conditions. Fishing in a brisk wind compromises the angler's sense of feel,

boat control & lure control. Normally I don't concentrate on windblown banks, but prefer the more pleasurable fishing

found along sheltered shores, at the same time watching for a wind-generated bonanza.

Surefire tattletales of a feeding blitz are working birds and/or breaking fish.

 

Roger 

[CDMeyer]

I like to go to the wind blown bank. Especially if there is a driving rain, I slow roll a spinnier. Although I have caught sone on the non wind blown bank