WIND !!!!!!

[Raul]

Ok people what does windy mean for you, a nuisance or an opportunity ? It 's sunny, not a single cloud on the skyor it 's cloudy, the lake looks like glass, the fishing is terrible, my bag of dirty tricks and good luck charms is over, even the kitchen sink didn 't work, I don 't have more aces left in my sleeve, what I do ? I pray for wind, wind strong enough to stir the lake, heck even white caps are welcomed as long as the tub doesn 't sink.

Am I nuttz ?

Not really, wind is the golden opportunity when the fishing sucks

Why ?

Wind does something to the lake that after a while turns the fishing on.

1.- It SHAKES COVER, this shaking effect on weeds and wood dislodges tadpoles and acuatic insects from the surfaces they are attached to, baitfish and forage fish like bluegills feed on insects, the wind draws them to the wind exposed area to feed and where baitfish and forage fish are bass will be.

2.- It increases OXYGEN LEVELS, stagnant water is dead water, stagnant water is contrary to life because it creates a reductive enviroment, when the wind blows oxygen enters the system and creates an oxydizing environment, oxydizing envoronments are life bearing environments.

3.- it reduces LIGHT PENETRATION, yeah I know I sound like a broken record, mark my words and tatoo them in your brain, light penetration is one of the most important elements in locating the fish, the more light the tougher the fish get. It 's the dappling effect that waves produce the one that reduces the light penetration because it refracts light.

4.- it creates MUDLINES, the area exposed to the wind looses clarity because wind lifts the sediments from the bottom or erodes the shoreline, excellent opportunity for a hunter ( bass ) to exploit the mudline because it conceals his presence.

5.- it creates CURRENT, the action of the waves cools the surface, this colder surface sinks and has to be replaced with water from the deep, this interchange between colder water and warmer water creates current, the system no longer is static, it becomes dynamic.

6.- it RELOCATES FOOD, plankton can 't move, it 's subject to the effects of the wind an current, wind drifts the plankton into the place where it is blowing to concentrating it, baitfish like shad and shiners are planktonic feeders, concentrated plankton to them is like eating a broth instead of a soup, where baitfish are bass will be.

[alhuff]

I would have to say that the wind has also been something my dad DIDN"T like to deal with when fishing...I've never really let it stop me from fishing.  After reading the info you posted I can see where the wind would be welcome.  I'll have to remeber this the next time I'm out on the lake.

Thanks for the info.....

Alfred

[nwgabassmaster]

Windy, to me, is where you can't keep the boat on a certain line for more than a few seconds.  That could be, on some lakes, 10 MPH, on others, more.

I love fishing in the wind, because of all the reasons that you stated.  

[flechero]

I'm right there with you.  I would always prefer to have some wind while fishing... in the old days of my keeping detailed log books, I realized that wind was my friend, 99% of the time.  To this day, when fishing is slow, I'll search out a windy point and that usually is the answer.

The rare desired exception could be made for early morning topwater in a secluded cove when nothing beats a viscious explosion on glass water!!   ;D

Fishing in Texas has made me appriciate the wind for the already mentioned reasons as well as a way to stay on the water in those 100 plus degree days.  

[Matt Fly]

Raul,  you are the man.  I always wish for wind and monitor it at all week long.  I like to know where my wind blown points, humps, and ledges are.  Sure does take the guess work out of locating the fish.

[5bass]

Raul,how ironic that you posted this.....the wind is blowing here,it's partly cloudy and the shad fry have just hatched and are schooling along the banks.I'm leaving here in just a few minutes....sounds like spinnerbait time to me.See you guys later,hopefully with a few good pics.  

[Shad_Master]

The wind always blows in Nebraska -- why?  If you follow college football you know it's 'cause Okalahoma sucks ;D  Right now it is a calm day, only 15 mph.  If I didn't go fishing in the wind, I wouldn't go fishing.  It does challenge your character a little when your trolling motor battery dies after 5 hours or your bait caster has backlashed for the 127th time that day, but wind is when the fish start stirrin and will get them biting.

[Raul]

Solution Shadmaster:

1.- Carry TWO batteries instead of one.   That will give another 5 hours of power.

2.- If baitcaster backlashes like mad-----> spinning gear is the ticket, spinning don 't backlash  

Have a nice day windy fishin ' day !  ;D

[Shad_Master]

Spinning gear doesn't backlash, but it sure does "cobwebb", especially if casted into a 25 - 30 mph wind  :  Still beats working or mowing the lawn ;D

[Jagrrich]

Wow! Raul you just never cease to amaze me with all that "know how"! What I wouldn't give to spend a week learning from you!

Excellent job! I've learned alot from you just from reading your posts.

A million Thank you's and please please don't stop with the "HOW TO'S"!

[BASSMAN1301599783]

Another great post Raul ;D Keep em comin. Thanks.

[Spencer W]

I enjoy fishing in the wind, because most people don't!! Less people on the water then.  Oh and it usually helps fishing too

[abelfisher]

Raul, "We're Not Worthy, We're not worthy...."

Another great post!  Keep 'em coming, pal!

[BASS_KILLER]

the wind is so much haarder to catch fish thow because u cant get ur lure out there then its kinda pulling from the water and i think its just harder if it helps u guys thow  ;D good

[roadwarrior]

This makes all the sense in the world for lakes and ponds, but not for rivers. I mainly fish rivers, especially the Tennessee River and the White River. Wind is your enemy, wind ruins a day and can force you off the river.

When the wind blows upstream the drift is slowed and hang-ups are chronic. We can deal with wind blowing downstream by adding additional weight, but rivers curve and boat control is a major issue. Crosswinds are the worst, blowing you in or blowing you out. Many days in the spring, high wind becomes insurmountable.

As far as light dispersion, bait movement and oxygenation, on a river the current addresses all of those issues. On a river, waterflow is everything.

[Raul]

It 's because current is everything in rivers.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I love wind!!

Drift anchors are a plus, or "drag bags" as we call 'em.

[ernel]

I don't mind a good 10-20 mph wind in the late spring thru fall so much. mainly for the reasons previously stated. It is a totally different in winter and prespawn conditions however. During prespawn is probably the worst for me. It normally means that a front has just passed and the bass have pulled back out if the shallows and went back to their staging areas. Not quiet as easy to find the bigguns' then. LOL

[Chris]

Wind means crankbait and spinnerbait time thats why I like it so let it blow let it blow ;D

[Bossdog]

When it's tough to keep the boat in position,I break out a 3/4 oz. silver buddy and drift-fish.The "buddy"gets down fast, and I can feel it working even in the worst of conditions.It's saved the day for me many times.Hope this helps.B.D.