fishing in cold water and strong winds

[mattfish]

I have a question about fishing in cold water(I live in PA) and strong winds. Im  looking for a technique to help me when the wind picks up and the bite is slow.I will often tie on a finese bait like a tube , grub or finese worm.The problem comes in when I use spinning tackle.The line starts to bow in the wind and its difficult to keep feel of the bait. Rather then packing it in I would like to know how some of you other guys deal wth these tough conditions. What rigs or other boating equipment you may use to scratch out some fish.Seems that I experience these conditions several times a year.I fish out of a 17 ft g3 aluminum boat or a 14 ft alum. depending on the lake Im fishing .Any help would be appreciated. :-/ :-/

[noxpertjim]

In situations like that, I've tied on a larger (J-9 to J-13) Rapala Jointed and cast several feet off the bank, but staying parallel with it.  Let that lure get beat around by the wind and waves up until it nearly reaches the bank, then begin a nice steady slow retrieve.  You can add pauses when/where ever you like.  I typically use this around rip rap banks.

Just hold your boat position facing the wind and cast across the direction of the wind or at a 45 degree angle to it.  You'll be able to use either spinning or casting gear; I use casting for these baits.  Don't worry about some slack line on the initial lay.  You'll see them take your lure until you begin the retrieve.  After that, you know what to do!

[roadwarrior]

I fish a pond that is generally very productive for me, this weekend. The water is always stained, but is currently almost muddy and cold. Temperatures were in the high 20's and low 30's with some rain and plenty of wind. I fished six or seven hours over a two day period without a bite. I fished three combinations of jigs, two tubes and slow rolled three completely different spinnerbaits.

Well, that didn't help much did it?

What has been working this winter is a 3/8 oz.,  Micro Munch Tackle black & blue jig with a GYCB Fat Baby Craw, black with blue flakes (021).

[dink]

I fished on Sat. (Feb 25) on a lake here (Southern Illinois) with 43 -45 degree surface temps and 15 -25 mph winds from the north.  The day before that there was winds from the south.  I found a 1 to 2 degree difference between the north banks of coves and the south banks of coves.  The water had maybe ONE foot of visibility.  Yet, I somehow managed to catch two keepers (over 14") and a sweet beaver flipping and pitching brush and wood on secondary points in about three to five feet of water.  The bigger keeper was just under three pounds and the smaller one was just under two.  I did mention that I was in the coves because a 20 mph wind and 40 degrees for an air temp do not mix well for me.  So I basically got out of the wind where I could slow down my presentation and have more focus on the area I was fishing.  Maybe there is something in this that you can use.  Good luck!

[bixbybasspro]

Stick with a jig and, drop shot, spinnerbait, and a jerkbait this time of year and hit the areas that aren't quite a windy...It kinda depends on what pattern your on, if u want wind or not... 8-)

[BD]

I fish a pond that is generally very productive for me, this weekend. The water is always stained, but is currently almost muddy and cold. Temperatures were in the high 20's and low 30's with some rain and plenty of wind. I fished six or seven hours over a two day period without a bite. I fished three combinations of jigs, two tubes and slow rolled three completely different spinnerbaits.

Well, that didn't help much did it?

What has been working this winter is a 3/8 oz., Micro Munch Tackle black & blue jig with a GYCB Fat Baby Craw, black with blue flakes (021).

I only caught one pregnant female this weekend too. Finesse worms and jigs usually do well once they are holding tight to cover.

[roadwarrior]

My ponds have no cover, only deep structure. I think I know where they live and I knocked on the door, they just wouldn't answer.

[slappy]

I live in pa. and during strong wind I either face the wind or have my back to it. I try to never have the wind on the side of me. I feel your pain though, dont ya wish you lived in florida now.

[bassnleo]

I have a question about fishing in cold water(I live in PA) and strong winds. Im looking for a technique to help me when the wind picks up and the bite is slow.I will often tie on a finese bait like a tube , grub or finese worm.The problem comes in when I use spinning tackle.The line starts to bow in the wind and its difficult to keep feel of the bait. Rather then packing it in I would like to know how some of you other guys deal wth these tough conditions. What rigs or other boating equipment you may use to scratch out some fish.Seems that I experience these conditions several times a year.I fish out of a 17 ft g3 aluminum boat or a 14 ft alum. depending on the lake Im fishing .Any help would be appreciated. :-/ :-/

Wow, tough one matt. No doubt we here in PA face that situation commonly in the spring. In the cold water and wind, I usually allow the weather trend the PREVIOUS days dictate what I do. If it had been warmer the previous days, and I'd been catching some shallow, I'll fish the ugliest cover I can find, but one key, really slow down. Make multiple presentations to the targets such as bushes, stumps, laydowns, rocks. I will usually pitch/flip a jig or slow roll a spinnerbait. Last year in the spring, I found a stump with my trolling motor  > well, I fished that stump later in the day, got nice fish off of it. Next trip to this lake, a cold front had gone through and dropped the water temp some 5 degrees. I went to this stump, made over 30 casts to it with a spinnerbait, but got bit 2 times, both keepers. Fishing in the wind stinks, but it could play to your advantage in some cases. I have had success ripping a lipless crankbait around weeds in the wind, specifically, on windblown points and weedlines. You can sometimes trigger a reaction strike this way.

Some days, you just get fed up with the wind. In those cases I try to find protected areas and switch to finesse baits if the ones I mentioned aren't producing. Finnesse worms on a jig or senko style baits would be my choice there. Biggest thing to remember here is that you must maintain constant contact with your bait, your strikes will probably be subtle. If you feel something, set the hook. Most bites will feel like pressure on the line. IMO hooksets are free, so why not swing if it feels fishy.

In terms of boat control, fish into the wind. That will help you in windy conditions. In open water situations, try a drift sock in combination with your trolling motor.

One other thing that helped me tremendously. Find someone that you point blank know is a better and more experienced fisherman and fish with them if possible. If you are not ina club, I would suggest joining one. Being in the right club will cut your learning curve in half in some instances.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

[Cajun1977]

try inline spinners like a panther martin you can fish them slow and its usually something the bass havent seen

[Guest bigtex]

I would keep the wind to my back and use heavier weighted baits.  Ex 1/2 to 3/4 oz jigs or Texas rig.  I would also use heavier spinner baits or mid range crank baits.

[Rattlinrogue]

I fished those exact conditions on Sunday.I went with a big spinnerbait in a flashy color called Golden Shiner.Had really big thumping blades on it.In my situation it was almost impossible to fish a slow moving bait because the wind and waves were so bad.I decided to try for a reaction bite,and I caught four nice bass.

[basspro48]

Always try a big heavy spinnerbait with a slow retrieve, but other than that I suggest heavy football head jigs and suspending jerkbaits.

[skeeter944]

i use finesse worms on a dropshot rig.try keeping your rod tip low to the water,minimizing the contact of wind to your line.

[Ranger 482]

I am I alone in using a carolina rig in the spring?  For pre-spawn bass staging on main lake and secondary points, I have found it to be a useful technique.  

[roadwarrior]

Last weekend it wasn't spring. Right now it's WINTER fishing.

[Ranger 482]

SORRY :-[