Fishing on very windy days

[crypticstatic]

I need some advice. I'm going to be fishing this saturday in MN and the weather forecast is calling for winds at about 19 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

What methods/setup's work well for fishing in these conditions? I was just thinking about setting up a carolina rig and fishing for bass fairly deep 20-25ft. Will a senko work work well for this application?

My main concern is having to deal with the boat being blown around so naturally I was going to anchor down throw the line over and hope for the best.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[fisher of bass]

are there any coves? personally i would be chucking a spinnerbait along the shore and fishing fast, do you have a windsock to slow you down a little? if not i would use my anchor with a lot of rope, hopefully it will be a straight north or south wind so you can fish one side, windy days can be a blessing sometimes,  imo  goodluck

[flechero]

Wind like that is tough on us but it can be better for the fishing... the waves diffuse light and keep things stirred up which usually has baitfish on the move, and with that, the bass usually follow.

I like wind blown points, wind created current along tree or weed lines and lots of other places... the trick to fishing in high wind is to get used to controlling the boat in it. The boater can get really frustrated if the t-motor is on high and you are going backwards! We fish in up to about 25-30mph winds, we are VERY careful, and use drift socks, anchor or tie up at each area. A regular partner is invaluable when drift socking, anchoring or tying!! Once you get comfortable operating the boat like this, the fishing is not so hard. But the fishing is greatly influenced by my ability to control the boat. General navigation can also be difficult and dangerous, depending on the wind and it's direction on a lake. Please use your head and wear a PFD.

As for techniques, moving baits are easier because in high wind, the wind can actually troll your senko, t-rig, etc. C-rig is good because enough weight holds it still. Heavy crankbaits and rattle traps/spinnerbaits... basically things that cast well are easiest. You can get closer with the water churned up so don't eliminate pitching and flippin' to cover in a drift scenario.

I sound like my dad. ...lol

Good luck

[Shad_Master]

The wind never stops blowing here in Nebraska and that's my excuse for not catching more fish (LOL).  Actually this can be one of the worst conditions you will face.  Partly because the wind can keep you from feeling what is going on with your lure/line and watching line become more difficult, too.  C-rigs are not a bad idea as are moving lures, Spinner Baits, Cranks, etc.  My experience is that un-weighted Senkos don't do well, 'cause they don't sink in the wind.  If you can, reduce your line size, this may help some.  A split-shot rig is another alternative when fishing Senko type baits, but this is really just a downsized C-rig.

[MichBassMan]

I faced the same thing last Sunday. Fish windblown points if you can find um. A heavy jig if you can somehow slow your drift. Either way by all means, spinnerbait, spinnerbait, spinnerbait. Oh ya, has anyone mentioned"spinnerbait"? Cast it out, reel it in, hang on tight. Spinnerbaits easily could have been named "windydaybaits".

 Have fun.

[Sam]

All of the above plus.....

Attach a clam shell sinker to your spinnerbait's hook shaft to give the lure more weight to throw into the wind.

A pro's secret.

If you do use a baitcaster, cast low to the water to help avoid blacklashes.

Be careful as the wind can catch you asleep in an instant and you will be in a world of hurt on the water.