Fishing in the wind

[rboat]

I hate the wind. Some guys like it, but it makes everything more difficult (casting, boat control, TM control etc.) I have tried a drift sock, anchoring, and looking for shelter areas with not much luck. How do you guys handle windy conditions if you have to? Thanks.

[InLikeFinz]

Like you I look for protected areas on the lake with less wind and fish until it dies down. Most times I just grit my teeth and keep going. In the spring and summer I just think "well, at least it's not freezing and windy".

[A-Jay]

It's ALWAYS windy here. I have two choices, either fish in the wind or don't fish. So I've tried to learn to deal with it. One thing I have learned is that I have done much better on the windy side of the lake than the calm/protected side. I would always run right out of the wind and find a calm cove somewhere and not have much success but hey, I was out of the wind. I still do that occasionally but more often I'm on a wind blown point or weed line catching fish. I do anchor quite a bit and that's a skill all it's own. Boat position is always critical especially in the wind. As a matter of fact I just came home from a day on a lake I've never been on. The wind was blowing as usual like 15 knots and the calm side was dead. All the life we saw and all the fish we caught came from areas on the lake that were exposed to the breeze.

A-Jay

[Jigfishn10]

The wind is a necessary evil. It stirs up the water and aquatic life attracting baitfish and the bass are sure to follow. Fishing into the wind can be a pain in the butt especially when you get a cross wind putting a nasty bow in your line, but you can be sure that there will be a good quantity as well as quality bass in those conditions.

I drift along and use a reflex type of lure (lipless cranks, spinnerbaits, etc..)

MHO

[cart7t]

If you're not fishing in windy areas, especially where wind is causing wave or current action to interact with underwater structure of some kind due to the "discomfort" it causes you or the fact you just aren't good at multi-tasking,  you probably aren't catching anywhere near as many fish as you could be if you'd just sack it up and realize that the Wind is your friend. 

[JLBomber]

I don't do anything in the wind - that includes emptying any bodily fluids.

But wind comes with the territory. Learn to deal with, just skip those gale force days.

[AndyPlaysDrums]

The wind is a necessary evil. It stirs up the water and aquatic life attracting baitfish and the bass are sure to follow. Fishing into the wind can be a pain in the butt especially when you get a cross wind putting a nasty bow in your line, but you can be sure that there will be a good quantity as well as quality bass in those conditions.

I drift along and use a reflex type of lure (lipless cranks, spinnerbaits, etc..)

MHO

I've had my best day yet this year, a couple of weeks ago, in one of the windiest days we've had this year (and we've had a bunch). Lipless cranks are going to be my go to in wind like that from now on. I was throwing a 1/2 oz. Strike King Red Eye shad, which made it though the wind fairly well, considering.

[evrgladesbasser]

I hate the wind. Some guys like it, but it makes everything more difficult (casting, boat control, TM control etc.) I have tried a drift sock, anchoring, and looking for shelter areas with not much luck. How do you guys handle windy conditions if you have to? Thanks.

Drift sock on the back of the boat, steer with the TM on the front. Wind at my back. I love windy days it keeps everyone else from going out... ,more fish for me

[Taylor Fishin 4 life]

if your boat is smaller anchor it if it isnt have a good trolling motor and hit the windy points.

[Gatorbassman]

On Clarks Hill the fishing is best when there is a small craft advisory. I fish out of a 18.5 foot aluminum boat so the wind can be a challenge.

Those of us who enjoy fishing in the wind start by replacing the trolling motor with the strongest one we can afford. I have a 74lb thrust on the front of mine. Then we use lures that cast well into the wind. (Spook, Fluke, Trickworm.) Things that are aerodynamic. We make casts that are low to the water.

I go a step farther. I have three anchors in the boat. I usually use two but sometimes I have to break out the third one. All of them are on long lines and I put them out in two different directions at a 90degree angle or wider. My drift sock is rated for a 21 foot boat.

Finally. Get a good pedestal seat. It will help you keep your balance and wear a life jacket.

So if any of you are ever on Clarks Hill. That's me in the tan aluminum Triton bouncing up and down while fishing in three and four foot rollers.

[brophog]

Someone mentioned a 1/2 oz lipless as a lure choice, and that's a great suggestion.

Most people won't fish in the wind, and more to the point they wont throw into the wind.......and most of that is due to casting difficulties.

Density of the bait is key in these conditions. Where I might throw a spinnerbait I move to a lipless, or maybe I just move from a big double willow to a compact short armed version. Where I might throw hollow crankbait I throw a large jig and grub or swimbait. Dense, compact baits will cut through the wind, especially with a low angle cast.

For that reason, I actually use more baitcasters in windy conditions than spinning reels, and that's just a personal thing. I'm much better at throwing low angles with a casting setup.

[fishfordollars]

I hate protected areas. They get hammered and usually there is no activity. If you can find an area that has had the wind blowing into it for a few days you can rest easy knowing that the bait has been pushed in and the fish have not been hasseled by many anglers.

Prefer to fish the wind blown areas and like to throw into the wind. Bass will set up facing the wind. It is not natural to bring a lure back with the wind at your back. Sure it's easier to cast, but you won't catch as many.

Boat control is a lot easier fishing into the wind to.

The wind is a hassel when crossing wide open expanses. Other than that give me a wind any day. Around here, if you wait on a windless day, you won't fish very much.

[tommy]

some of my best days in summer are windy days....windblown banks and points, carolina rig, and the trolling motor in whatever gear it takes to stay where i want....

i had to upgrade my trolling motor, last year, i made 7 casts to a small point and caught 7 fish, but couldnt stay there with my trolling motor in 5th gear...

i used to find the protected coves too, and when i go out and its windy thats where every other boat is, but i wont trade back...youll catch 5 in the wind for every 1 in the slack water....and your subject to catch a pig...

you just have to get out there in it a couple times and find your rhythm....