Windy Day Fishing

[Sea.Em.1998]

On Tuesday (6/25/19), I was fishing out on Cornell Lake. It was a somewhat sunny day, but very windy. The wacky rig was the only thing that got the fish biting. I'm still learning how to work the rig, but it gave me great results. Altogether, I only caught three bass that day for three hours on the water.

 

What's a good lure, rig, bait is best to throw on a windy day? The water at Cornell Lake is clear and full of vegetation.

[Alec McMillan]

Spinnerbait

 

[scaleface]

The cover , in this case vegetation is the primary consideration for choosing lures . The wind and water clarity would be secondary .So what lures fish well in vegetation and not all vegetations are the same ?  Spinnerbaits , buzzbaits , frogs ,toads , texas rigs , Johnson Sillver minnow are all considerations .

[813basstard]

Moving water and wind=moving baits

 

 

usually 

[apenland01]

If I only had one bait to pick, it would be a spinnerbait because it can be worked in so many different ways and in just about any structure on the lake.

[WRB]

Define windy?

5-10 mph sustained wind with 4" to 10" waves?

10-25 mph sustained wind with 12"to 18" waves with white caps,

25-35 mph sustained wind with 18"-24 " rolling waves with white cap

gail winds.

Tom

[Koz]

I don't know about bigger lakes, but in the lagoons that I fish (from 1-20 acres or so) a buzzbait has been fantastic on windy days (12-20 mph).

[The Bassman]

7 hours ago, 813basstard said:

Moving water and wind=moving baits

 

 

usually 

This. ^^^

[diversity210]

On a windy day I will throw all the baits I normally throw.  I just step up the size a bit.

[WRB]

Wind is normal at most SoCal lakes staring around 11 to sundown with 15-20 mph sustained and gusts over 25 mph. Most anglers aviod wind blown areas preferring clam wind protected areas. Bass however are usually active feeding at the wind blown areas as it stirs up the eccosystem. Deep diving crankbaits, Chatterbaits/spinnerbaits, jigs and soft plastics are my go to windy area lures.

Tom

[CrankFate]

I sometimes have to call it quits in strong winds. I usually fish too light to fight the wind. Sometimes, when I know there’s fish, I’ll go heavier.

[Glaucus]

A spinnerbait shines when it is windy. 

 

Lipless crankbaits are also gold especially because they cut through the wind for easy casting.

 

At 15mph+ I'm likely to call it quits or not go at all if I'm going to be on the open water. The pain in the arse the wind causes it's worth it to me. It takes a good time and makes it irritating. Some guys say that in their location they deal with 20mph every day or they don't fish at all. We don't have that here so I get to pick and choose.

[Black Hawk Basser]

On 6/27/2019 at 9:04 PM, 813basstard said:

Moving water and wind=moving baits

 

 

usually 

Agreed.  I invite the wind, especially post spawn.  A calm summer day can be tough.  When the wind kicks up, I head  to the shoreline that's getting the most wave action and throw spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and 5" soft plastic swimbaits.

 

Everywhere I fish has clear water, so anything to reduce water clarity is helpful.

[Topwaterdog]

If it's overcast you have a topwater perfect storm, otherwise; jerkbait, spinnerbait, lipless crankbait (go natural colors in clear water) and swimbaits would be high on my list for a combo of wind, vegetation and clear water.

[scaleface]

 You gave three clues about the water you fished . It was windy , clear and full of vegetation . You didnt identify the type of vegetation , that can make a difference in lure selection . I'm assuming you are targeting vegetation because you mentioned it  . Windy , and clear will certainly effect lure selection but the lure "must"  be effective in the vegetation . Some vegetation is hardy enough  that crankbaits  can be fished in them . Some   any type of treble hooked lure makes it almost impossible . A lot of people have mentioned spinnerbaits and  that is a good starting point  in wind and vegetation  . Lure selection is something you have to connect the dots   to come up with choices   , which is not that difficult . In clear water   a spinnerbait in a   natural bait-fish  pattern with smaller   willow leaf blades  would be a good starting point.