Windy Day Jig Fishing

[bigspirit]

Let me preface this by saying this might be a dumb question. 
 

I’m relatively new to the bass fishing game. I’ve fished by whole life but mostly saltwater. The bass fishing I did growing up was neighborhood ponds and there wasn’t a whole lot of effort or thought needed to catch fish. Now I’m jumping into it more because of location and have been the last 2-3 years. 
 

I now really want to get into jig fishing. I have read the thread about it and am close to committing myself to only taking one rod and a handful of jigs. However, this made me think of a question. 
 

What do you guys do when it’s “kind of” to “super” windy? How do you feel light bites or even see a bite when the line jumps if your line is getting blown around? 
 

I’m also either fishing out of a kayak or using a trolling motor with a tiller handle, to further complicate things. 
 

Any tricks to it or are those the kind of days you throw something else?

[LrgmouthShad]

31 minutes ago, bigspirit said:

Any tricks to it or are those the kind of days you throw something else?

This kinda goes for all baits when it’s super windy. Cast into or with the wind. Never perpendicular. You can also try and keep the bow in your line lower. If you want to work a specific spot, anchor. If not, casting with the wind and letting yourself drift toward your bait can work if you are retrieving fast enough. I don’t like to do the opposite. I deal with wind all the time in my kayak. This is what works for me.
 

Heavy wind with no anchor doesn’t get rid of bottom contact baits for me either. One day I found that punching heavy jigs was good in the wind. I would cast a little ways in the direction of the wind but not much and let myself drift towards my bait perpendicular to my cast. Hope this makes sense. 

[Bankbeater]

The first thing I would do is look for cover or structure that is causing an eddy in the water.  Second thing I would do is drop anchor so I don't have to deal with the wind.

[WRB]

Without a relatively stationary platform to fish from detecting bottom contact lure strikes is very difficult in the wind.

Cast down wind because the bass should be facing into the current the wind creates. Use a heavier jig  and rod tip down more to reduce line bow. Feel the line for added weight and watch it for moving sideways or towards you...set the hook.

Fishing from shore you cast into the wind (lots of fun) or about 45 degrees sideways and retrieve the jig uphill, you will lose jigs. The reason to cast into the wind from shore is the bass almost always feed where waves are hitting the shoreline.

Tom

[A-Jay]

@bigspirit

Just for starters, being physically able to present and then fish any bait effectively will always be a solid plan.  Fishing any bottom contact bait, inculding jigs, from a constantly and relatively fast moving platform, like a kayak blowing in the wind, can be tricky and may not be your best bet.  As mentioned, anchoring and fishing straight up/down wind can really help.

Part of the secret to success with a jig is being able to detect the often subtle take of a big bass.  This can be a touch and go proposition even in the best of conditions.  A light craft in a big wind surely complicates the whole deal.

IMO, while you are getting the hang of jig fishing, perhaps pick your spots.  Meaning put the odds a bit more in your favor, especially in the beginning. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

@WRB beat me again Tom

[LrgmouthShad]

18 minutes ago, WRB said:

Cast down wind because the bass should be facing into the current the wind creates.

Tom, having a bit of trouble understanding this. If I cast with the wind, it will come back against the wind. If bass are facing the wind, the bait will come back in the same direction they are facing, that is, it could come from behind them. If instead I cast against the wind, it comes with the wind, which they are facing, such that the bass sees the lure coming.

 

Edited December 9, 2021 by LrgmouthShad
Clarity

[WRB]

You missed that I said the wind is blowing towards the shore creating waves hitting the shoreline.The wave action increases DO levels, pushes plankton, stirs up the soils attracting bait fish, crawdads and bass. From shore you can only cast into the wind down wind is further up the bank.

From a boat you cast down wind towards the shoreline for all the reasons stated.

You can go on the opposite shoreline and cast easier down wind from shore but chances of catching bass are greatly reduced. Your options are fishing into the wind from a boat at the opposite shore or targeting short range cover.

Tom

 

[Bluebasser86]

Wind is almost a constant issue here and I kayak fished a lot last year. Shorter cast, a heavier jig, good fluorocarbon line, all help detect bites in wind. I carry an anchor, as well as brush grips to so I can remain relatively stationary when targeting likely fish holding areas. Having a quick trigger finger helps me also. Better to swing on nothing than play around too long decided if something is or isn't a fish and pull it away from one. 

[BBuck]

Hooksets are free!

[Catt]

IDK! ?

 

For me there's a lot more to consider than just wind.

 

Pre-frontal, frontal, or post frontal conditions.

 

Deepwater or shallow water structure 

 

Types of cover available 

 

Has the wind been blowing for a couple of days or is it one & done.

 

Need a little more input 

 

 

[Bird]

This may be more personal than actual sound advice. 

I try to avoid fishing on really windy days as it reduces my effectiveness no matter what bait being thrown. 

 

I fish exclusively from a boat and battling for position while holding my hat on, trying to watch my line takes the pleasure out of fishing. 

 

I'm an older fellow " retired " and can pick and choose my days and wind is always the #1 consideration. 

 

If you simply can't avoid fishing in high wind then consider 1oz jigs and simply make the best of it and remember to be in constant contact with your bait or you may find the fish swallowing it.....another issue I've had in high wind. 

[WRB]

Wind is a whole topic with lots of complexity regarding bass fishing in general. Suggest searching wind related articles.

For example light wind / breeze has little affect on boat control or casting. Sustained or gusty higher winds creating white caps is what I was replying to. Seasonal prevailing directional wind bass set up a location, however if the wind is a different direction then prevailing that changes bass location. As Catt noted several factors to consider that only time on the water can teach you.

Tom

[ironbjorn]

On 12/9/2021 at 4:01 PM, bigspirit said:

The bass fishing I did growing up was neighborhood ponds and there wasn’t a whole lot of effort or thought needed to catch fish. 

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Sometimes ponds are impossibly pressured.

[bigspirit]

2 hours ago, Bird said:

This may be more personal than actual sound advice. 

I try to avoid fishing on really windy days as it reduces my effectiveness no matter what bait being thrown. 

 

I fish exclusively from a boat and battling for position while holding my hat on, trying to watch my line takes the pleasure out of fishing. 

 

I'm an older fellow " retired " and can pick and choose my days and wind is always the #1 consideration. 

 

If you simply can't avoid fishing in high wind then consider 1oz jigs and simply make the best of it and remember to be in constant contact with your bait or you may find the fish swallowing it.....another issue I've had in high wind. 

 

Unfortunately I’m restricted to weekends right now since I just started a new job but that should be more flexible in the future. Quite a ways for me to go until I hit that retirement phase!
 

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Wind is a whole topic with lots of complexity regarding bass fishing in general. Suggest searching wind related articles.

For example light wind / breeze has little affect on boat control or casting. Sustained or gusty higher winds creating white caps is what I was replying to. Seasonal prevailing directional wind bass set up a location, however if the wind is a different direction then prevailing that changes bass location. As Carr noted several factors to consider that only time on the water can teach you.

Tom

 

Valid points. I should have specified but in my post I’m referring to 10+ mph which does affect my current setup. 
 

1 hour ago, ironbjorn said:

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Sometimes ponds are impossibly pressured.

Correct, I was referring to the specific ponds I grew up fishing. I’m very aware there are extremely pressured ponds but I can assure you these were quite the opposite!

6 hours ago, Catt said:

IDK! ?

 

For me there's a lot more to consider than just wind.

 

Pre-frontal, frontal, or post frontal conditions.

 

Deepwater or shallow water structure 

 

Types of cover available 

 

Has the wind been blowing for a couple of days or is it one & done.

 

Need a little more input 

 

 

Ha, if we want to get that specific it’s a highland reservoir, post frontal, wind and rain for 3-4 days. Not much grass, mostly rock and wood make up the structure in the lake. 

[Catt]

1 hour ago, bigspirit said:

Not much grass, mostly rock and wood make up the structure in the lake.

 

That's cover not structure 

 

Structure is the contour of the bottom.

 

1 hour ago, bigspirit said:

Ha, if we want to get that specific it’s a highland reservoir, post frontal, wind and rain for 3-4 days.

 

Absolutely need to be that specific!

 

Based off of your conditions I would target shallow water by flipping-n-pitching the jig. Flipping-n-pitching will allow you to fish with the wind, against the wind, or across it.

 

You'll want a heavy enough jig to keep the wind from putting a bow in your line. I would also step up to a heavier line 20-25# in either monofilament or fluorocarbon. 

 

On 12/9/2021 at 3:01 PM, bigspirit said:

using a trolling motor with a tiller handle, to further complicate things. 

 

Probably the best option in wind cause I would rather move than be stationary. Personally I prefer a tiller handle over a foot control. I tighten the adjustment knobs down so it doesn't "flop" around easily.