Fishing in the wind

[Glenn]

What are the advantages to fishing in the wind?  How do you adapt?  Here's how!

 

 

[TnRiver46]

Good info! I like to use an anchor in the wind 

[roadwarrior]

 

 

                                               

[Jig Man]

Except for those times that I am fishing the bottom the wind is my friend.  That is why I have a 112# thrust trolling motor and a heavy fiberglass boat.

[Junk Fisherman]

I used to HATE the wind and would always fish protected coves on windy days.  Nowadays, I just dislike it since I am more of a finesse fisherman.  But once I stopped fighting the wind and moved to primarily fast-moving baits on windy shorelines, my success rate went way up.  A spotlock troller and a shallow water anchor really help as well.  

[gim]

If its going to be a windy day, I have to avoid the bigger lakes.  I only have a Ranger RT178 so fishing in 2 foot rollers just isn't practical or safe.

 

Luckily there are a number of smaller lakes I can fish if its going to be windy.  So even a really windy day generally doesn't completely stop me from going.

[A-Jay]

If I can safely fish in it,

I will almost always choose the wind.

Results dictate.

https://youtu.be/s5YAlFDZ_C4?t=991

A-Jay

[GreenPig]

I'll take high winds over calm and try to go on the windiest days. Photo below is about right.

[Fallser]

   Since I mainly fly fish, windy days are not my friend.  That's why I always have a spinning rod or two with me when I'm in a boat.  There are four of us who fish together.  The other three guys own boats, but nothing fancy, ranging from a 10 foot john boat to a 16 foot aluminum one.  The highest horsepower is a 25 horse on the 16 footer.  The lakes we fish on are mainly small and shallow.  Still on a windy day it's hard to stay in position with a trolling motor and sometimes even get the anchor to catch.  And the wind just screws up my casting with the fly rod.  Definitely good info in the video.

 

[Bankbeater]

The video made some good points.  Wind is also good for keeping the mosquitoes away.

[Skunkmaster-k]

10-15 mph is pretty good. 

[slonezp]

Make sure you're upwind when you pee off the side of the boat.

[cyclops2]

The wind is my friend also.  Slight choppy noise level forces them to use eyesight more. The bite is a full quick commitment.

[Trox]

Wind allows me to fish a little more "relaxed" in my opinion. 

- trolling motor doesn't spook the fish as bad (can get closer)

- walking around and shutting compartments in the boat aren't as bad

- lure imperfections are less visible

- etc...

 

In addition, I think wind makes bass more predictable in relation to where they set up...Then add the stirring around of the forage to the mix, I'll take the wind any day 

 

[txchaser]

I get excited about wind, it's big fish time. Great tips on treating the water like there's some current and looking for breaks, I haven't been doing that. 

[casts_by_fly]

4 hours ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

10-15 mph is pretty good. 

 

2 hours ago, slonezp said:

Make sure you're upwind when you pee off the side of the boat.

seconded. And seconded. 
 

8 hours ago, gimruis said:

If its going to be a windy day, I have to avoid the bigger lakes.  I only have a Ranger RT178 so fishing in 2 foot rollers just isn't practical or safe.

 

Luckily there are a number of smaller lakes I can fish if its going to be windy.  So even a really windy day generally doesn't completely stop me from going.

I’m in a kayak with spotlock and on windy rainy days I’ll actually choose the big lake because that’s one time I can fish it without most of the pleasure boaters. I can sit on the backs of points and let the wind blow the baitfish around it. 

[Bluebasser86]

Wind is a way of life in KS. Learn to deal with it or take up a different hobby. 10-15mph is a gentle breeze, 20-25 is about the standard unfortunately and higher is pretty regular. I won't complain too much though because our fish don't know how to act on those rare flat calm days. 

[The Bassman]

I walk ponds so wind isn't an issue. It actually enhances the bite. That said, whitecaps on a two acre pond that throws my bait back at me means it's time to pack it in.

[king fisher]

I don't like the wind, but the bass don't care what I like, and where I fish, the bass like the wind.  All my biggest bass have been caught when the wind was blowing more than 15 MPH. 

[cyclops2]

Birds that eat fish are grounded.  Or have difficulty seeing & holding position. Fish know that very well.

[12poundbass]

23 hours ago, slonezp said:

Make sure you're upwind when you pee off the side of the boat.

Always solid advice from you! 

[slonezp]

3 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Always solid advice from you! 

Only the best for my BR compadres. 

[FishTank]

Good stuff.  I don't mind the wind but my fishing buddy fishes so close to the bank that it can be difficult to get quality casts in.  I prefer to fish into the wind if it's 10-15 mph. It's easier to deal with than getting blown around.  Having good skill with a trolling motor is a plus. 

 

On the kayak though, high winds can be dangerous.  Planning each fishing spot and each cast for the matter is a challenge. Landing fish and getting them to the kayak without getting smashed on rocks or somebody's dock is another problem. 

[Skunkmaster-k]

3 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Wind is a way of life in KS. Learn to deal with it or take up a different hobby. 10-15mph is a gentle breeze, 20-25 is about the standard unfortunately and higher is pretty regular. I won't complain too much though because our fish don't know how to act on those rare flat calm days. 

I’m looking for a protected cove in 25 mph wind. 

[cyclops2]

Really bright sunlight calm water sends all suspended schools somewhere out of sonar detection.