Why is this true about wind and moving baits?

[pauldconyers]

Home sick from work today and have been watching a lot of Bassmasters on YouTube. Watched tons of guys comment about the weather they were fishing in and how they really wish the wind would pick up so they could throw a spinnerbait or a crank bait. I guess my question is what is stopping them and why does it make such a difference? I have always heard this kind of thing and just kind of accepted it as fact but I guess I never really understood why. I certainly understand that just because the fish are under/in the water that it isn't like they aren't affected by conditions around them. And I can understand the bite with baits like this being BETTER with wind but they all act like it just an act of futility to try these baits unless you've got some wind and was hoping for an explanation.

[Way north bass guy]

I think a lot of the time, when there’s a bit of a chop on the surface it makes larger, noisier baits seem a bit more natural, and they don’t stand out too much in the environment. Seems like it makes the fish a bit less spooky, especially in real clear water. I’ve had way more days where a big spinnerbait was clobbered when there was a good wind blowing, than when it was real calm. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I cant answer but to say my best spinnerbait day was dead calm no wind at all very clear water.

[detroit1]

When it is calm and sunny all fish are on high - alert. They can see and be seen very easily. (think skittish) In these conditions I will not throw spinnerbaits, cranks, or any noisey, flashy baits. Usually soft plastics rigged one way or another. Wave action breaks up the sunlight, which (to me) means they are not as easily seen, and can be a little more active. Add clouds to wind, and I am throwing a spinnerbait (shallow), or crank. My favorite kind of fishing...finding a stretch of shoreline and / or weedline that the wind blows me across. Chuckin' and winding.

[A-Jay]

39 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

And I can understand the bite with baits like this being BETTER with wind but they all act like it just an act of futility to try these baits unless you've got some wind 

Very little in bass fishing is set in stone but some are close.

This is one of them.

It often goes like this . . .

One day there's some wind and you're hammering bass on whatever (insert the moving bait of your choice).

You leave them biting and can't wait to get back the next day.

Next day comes - no wind - you fish the same baits in the same manner in the same places - No Fish.

Works in reverse too.

Days starts out flat calm, no windy.

No fish all morning - None.

Later on wind blows - same area lights up.

Bass every cast.

Big smiles & loud laughing for everyone. 

It's a common scenario and if it's not one you've experienced, keep fishing.

You will.

A-Jay

[Dens228]

I've experienced wind vs no wind with spinnerbaits but I've never noticed a difference in regards to crankbaits.........

 

[Boomstick]

Well as far as spinnerbaits, that makes sense. When the water is choppy and you're fishing a spinnerbait which is a shallower lure, the water will cause the reflections to kind of bounce around and keep the fish from getting a good look at the bait, even in clear water.

 

As far as crankbaits, there is a little less scientific evidence but from my experience, a little wind in clear water can make the crankbait look more like a real fish.

 

Also I should mention that on days when wind is blowing because a storm is moving in (especially later in the day in the middle of the summer when the temperature is dropping), it might be a good time to fish a moving bait such as a crankbait or a spinnerbait simply because you can cover a lot of water and these fish are often on the move looking for something to eat and will bite anything that moves. I have had some of my best days fishing in this scenario.

[Columbia Craw]

Broken surface water refracts light and fish, not just bass feel more comfortable moving distance or moving shallow. It's like a form of cover, similar to how bass use shade and or mud lines like a form of cover.  This can stimulate the feeding impulse. Cover, such as vegetation can be agitated by wave action and fish will move, at times to edges where moving baits are often more effective.  Wind action can move particulates and algae which can get bait active and the bass will take the opportunity to feed.  Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerbaits and top water can all come into play when this takes place.

[scbassin]

I just down size my spinnerbait to a 3/16 or maybe a 1/4.  I also go to the smaller willow blades or Indiana blades. I use the willow blades 1st. For the better flash. These are a reaction style bait & it acts like a bait fish getting away from something. You can also crawl it across the bottom or yo-yo it & let it fall back & lay on the bottom  for a bit. A spinnerbait is a very versatile bait & will catch fish on those slow days. Research Ricky Green, Tom Mann, & Bill Dance & you probley find a book they wrote & I think Bill Dance has a DVD on spinnerbait fishing. There is alot more to fishing this bait than casting it & reeling back in. learn how to use it & improve your catch rate. 

[Oregon Native]

This is truly an interesting one....would have to agree with the above...I have had some amazing days with sun and "no wind"  ....why don't know.  But the "do know" part of the equation is I always have one on the deck along with a crank and a worm and a jig...maybe a topwater.  They are all going to be thrown and hopefully one or more will unlock the beasts!!!

[813basstard]

14 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Very little in bass fishing is set in stone but some are close.

This is one of them.

It often goes like this . . .

One day there's some wind and you're hammering bass on whatever (insert the moving bait of your choice).

You leave them biting and can't wait to get back the next day.

Next day comes - no wind - you fish the same baits in the same manner in the same places - No Fish.

Works in reverse too.

Days starts out flat calm, no windy.

No fish all morning - None.

Later on wind blows - same area lights up.

Bass every cast.

Big smiles & loud laughing for everyone. 

It's a common scenario and if it's not one you've experienced, keep fishing.

You will.

A-Jay

^?

This.

 

I attempt to not over think it (not hard in my case). Everything feels better when it’s windy. 
Walk into a doctors office. Dead calm. Silence. Don’t feel good. Don’t want to move to fast.

Walk into a party. Loud. Music. Talking, cocktails. Feels good. You start eating, talking to strange woman who aren’t your wife, taking more chances..

 

my theory at least 

 

[A-Jay]

3 hours ago, 813basstard said:

^?

This.

 

I attempt to not over think it (not hard in my case). Everything feels better when it’s windy. 
Walk into a doctors office. Dead calm. Silence. Don’t feel good. Don’t want to move to fast.

Walk into a party. Loud. Music. Talking, cocktails. Feels good. You start eating, talking to strange woman who aren’t your wife, taking more chances..

 

my theory at least 

 

Interesting theory.

At what point do you push the furniture against the walls,

tear up all the carpet and begin the spawning ritual ?

A-Jay 

[Kev-mo]

17 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Interesting theory.

At what point do you push the furniture against the walls, tear up all the carpet and begin the spawning ritual ?

A-Jay 

LMAO!!

[scaleface]

Wind stirs  things up and decreases visibility . The entire food chain in the shallows become more active  . A spinnerbait can cover water fast . Its just a good combination .

[Bluebasser86]

Wind was calm in the morning yesterday. Only bite I got was a 5 pounder on a squarebill. Once the wind started howling 20+mph they were chewing a Ned and shakyhead. 

 

Usually the wind helps a moving bait bite but they wouldn't touch it yesterday. Instead of forcing it, I gave them what they wanted and had a good day of catching. 

[813basstard]

8 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Interesting theory.

At what point do you push the furniture against the walls,

tear up all the carpet and begin the spawning ritual ?

A-Jay 

Well, the more spawning seasons that come and go, you start fishing memories more and more.... 

[WRB]

No dought that surface waves defuse sunlight rays directionally scattering the light. 

Wind blown areas push plankton into the area and baitfish follow the food source.

Defused light and prey source attracts predator bass. Wave action also increases DO ( oxygen) levels, all positive factors.

Tom