Wind Advice

[Craig P]

I have a small 7 acre local reservoir I like to fish for quick outings.  A few days ago, SW winds, gusting up to 17mph or so pushed fish into a flat that also has a small feeder stream.  Even with no precipitation for weeks and the reservoir being low, it was a perfect storm IMO, a flat, a small stream and wind pushing into it, vegetation too.  Fish were happy to take my spinbait.

 

With the above in mind, yesterday and today a slow 5mph wind is pushing NW, exactly 90 degrees clockwise from prior winds and we should see some 20mph-ish gusts in that same direction tomorrow morning.  Unfortunately, the bank the wind is pushing into is a quick steep drop-off.  A steep drop-off to me at this time of year seems to be the total opposite of where you would begin to fish.  What would be your approach? go directly to the spot the wind is currently pushing into, even though it is deep, or start where you left off and hope you find them somewhere in-between?

 

I already know I will just start where I left off, especially since the wind swept in that direction.  As mentioned, it is only 7 acres so covering all of it is simple enough but I am curious to how others would approach this and maybe gain some insight I can apply to larger bodies of water to be more efficient when on the boat.

[Jig Man]

What is happening is the wind moves algae and zooplankton move to feed on the algae.  Fish that feed on zooplankton move in then predator fish like bass move in.  That can probably happen rather quickly on a small lake.  On lakes the size we have it may take as many as 3 days to set up the food chain.  Our wind is changing every day so it has been tough around here.

[Scott F]

During the early spring season and later in the fall when the air and water temps are changing, wind will also push warmer surface waters around. If the bass are looking for warmer water, fish where the wind is blowing in. Same thing if they are looking for cooler water, fish the shores where the wind is blowing from.

[WRB]

Shore Wind is blowing onto…

Tom

[Pat Brown]

A 7 acre pond - I just walk and cast and fish it all ideally!

[Craig P]

1 hour ago, Pat Brown said:

A 7 acre pond - I just walk and cast and fish it all ideally!

 

Definitely but there are several places I can start.  If I can start where the juice is, why not.

[papajoe222]

IMO, for wind to be a major factor in fish location, it needs to be prolonged. A one day shift won’t move the food chain unless, as in your situation, it’s a very small body of water. 
My recommendation for you, is to follow the wind to start with. If that is where there is warmer water flowing in, all the better. 

[Glenn]

Food for thought...