Wind.

[Daniel Abram]

At what wind speed do you stay off the water? I never fish in storms but how high do winds get when you say enough?

[2tall79]

One white cap and I'm gone!

[Dirtyeggroll]

Depends on the size of the body of water and where I am fishing. A 20 mph wind on a big open lake can be havoc while the same wind on a smaller tortuous lake can be just another variable in the day.

 

Not a hard cutoff.

[j bab]

When it gets unsafe to cross the lake

[GreenPig]

If they're biting I'll fish. I've fished in 35+ mph winds since I added the spot locking Terrova. Casting does get interesting above 25 mph and a good bilge pump is a must for the occasional rogue wave.

[Hook2Jaw]

As a kayaker, 10 is a lot, 15 is dangerous.

 

I try to keep it under 10 when I fish large lakes, but small ponds can get it with the wind on up a ways.

[Bluebasser86]

As long as the air temp is comfortable, and I can control the boat well enough, I'll fish in it, I just stick to smaller bodies of water.

 

The wind is constantly blowing 15,20,25mph or more here, so I just have to deal with it.

 

I killed them a few years ago in March on a small lake fishing jerkbaits with sustained winds above 40 and gust over 50. It was whipping around so much, thankfully they weren't holding tight to the bank because casting accuracy was not happening.

[The Bassman]

I bank fish but when it's windy enough to bow my line and hop my lure across the surface, well that's too windy. Actually, like @Bluebasser86 mentioned some of my best bites are when it's real windy. I just have to try to orient myself as best I can. Some of the best action is on the windward side, though.

[Mike L]

There is no hard and fast limit. 
Ive been with boaters who’ll stay out until waves are almost breaking over the gunnel’s, and everything in between. 


 

 

 

Mike

[Bird]

I'm not as tolerant to wind as some of you.....not on lakes.

Wind dictates what I throw and eliminates a lot of my favorite techniques or at least there effectiveness and most times forces me into isolated coves.

 

Nope, don't like fishing in high wind.

In fact I left the water prematurely 3 of the last 4 outings because of it. 

 

Did I mention I don't like fishing in wind.

 

 

[MN Fisher]

11 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

As a kayaker, 10 is a lot, 15 is dangerous.

 

I try to keep it under 10 when I fish large lakes, but small ponds can get it with the wind on up a ways.

Ditto that for a canoe. Keeping it anchored in place when the wind-speed is approaching 10 is difficult. Paddling is problematic and my 30# TM works hard.

 

No matter the size of the water, if it's above 10, I don't go out.

[A-Jay]

Wind ~ I have a love / hate relationship right there.

Can be a bear to fish in at times, even cancel the whole day.

But I do see it as a necessary evil. 

When fishing from the Old Town Canoe, anything over 12-15 kts is very challenging.

Angling from the Lund offers quite a bit more leeway, but still has it's limitations. 

These are usually measured in feet - of waves that is, and after 3 or so, I'm usually done. 

Doesn't always happen, but if there's some wind at least, I'm usually using the Frabil a few times. 

A-Jay

[ohboyitsrobby]

As long as I can stand on the deck without going swimming and get back to the ramp safely I'll fish. Wind is your friend a lot of times. 

[Russ E]

As others have said it depends on the lake. Wind direction is also  a big factor.

 

There is one reservoir just west of me that can get 3 to 4 foot rollers with a 10 mph west wind. A 20 mph west wind can make the lake dangerous.

In contrast my home lake is sheltered and can easily be fished in 40 to 50 mph gusts.

Fortunately there are several lakes and reservoirs in my area. wind and weather is a big factor when chooisng a lake to fish.

Like @Bluebasser86 mentioned the wind nearly always blows here. You either learn to deal with it or stay home a lot.

 

When i moved to Kansas 4 years ago, I traded in my mod v bass boat for a fiberglass bass boat. The wind was a big factor in that decision.

On another note,when the wind does not blow here, fishing can get tough.

 

[Dens228]

Another kayak fisherman here.  15 is about my limit and I try to stay out of it or close to shorelines.  
This past summer I was out in 12-15 which was manageable but once the front started moving in and gusts hit 25+ I couldn't get in fast enough.  Of course it was a cross wind I was paddling through. 

[MickD]

I don't think the fish care how high the wind gets, but I get off when I'm not confident of maintaining safety.

[Bankbeater]

If the wind is going to be over 15 mph or so I normally fish off the bank.  I have fished in 20 mph sustained winds, with gusts up to 30 mph.  It wasn't fun, but I made it work since it was just wind. 

[813basstard]

If it’s NOT blowing I usually come back in.
A perfectly slick lake is hard to fish...I ain’t good enough! I need wind!!!

 

Go 49ers!!!

[geo g]

It's not just wind speed but the direction of the wind in the areas you want to fish.  I have a few ways to slow a boat down if the wind is blowing me down a bank, open water, or a canal.  But throw in a cross wind, constantly driving me into a bank, or away from a productive area, and I may pack up and go home.  If it's not fun, it's over!  

[MassYak85]

Depends, I fish out of a kayak when I'm by myself, and time of year plays a lot into it. Warmer months I usually stay home or go bank fishing if I see 15+mph forecasted. Colder months anything more than 10mph is a recipe for a short miserable day. When me and my dad go in his boat I don't think we've ever canceled a trip cause of wind unless it's really cold, if the windchill goes into the 20's that's usually the only factor there but in the warmer months stormy windy days are usually a recipe for a good bite so we try and get out despite the forecast. 

[WRB]

Wind is a common issue where reserviors are built in canyons as they are in California.

High pressure creates wind from the northeast sweeping down the canyons between 35-50 mph. If you ignor weather forecast you can get into trouble quickly.

The usual pattern is calm mornings and high winds in the afternoon so when you see the white caps starting to biuld get off the water or be prepared to stay late.

Tom

PS, Beaufort scale 5 you should be off the water.

 

[fishballer06]

Really depends on the body of water. Some of my best days in Canada have been in 25-40mph winds. But if we're talking Lake Erie, I've seen days where there are 5-10mph winds and small craft advisories because there's 4-5' rollers. 

[928JLH]

Won't go out after a shoulder surgery if the wind is over ten in the kayak. I've been out in 20+ and holiday boat traffic. Definitely not a good time..

[N Florida Mike]

Depends on how big the water body is , and if I can get some fish able water with high winds.

Generally, 20 is my cut-off. My best day for numbers last year though came on the windiest day I fished which was 25-30. I may need to re-think 20?.

[soflabasser]

Do not fight the wind, use it to your advantage. Have caught some very nice bass on windy days.