Fishing in the wind?

[ripinthem]

Its been a very windy year, so far, down in the South central US. I kind of like a little wind, but >15-20, and its just been rough. I've tried to increase my weights on my Texas rigs and CRigs, but its just been brutal. Any advice, other than stay at the house??

[Uncle Leo]

I try drifting with the wind when ever possible, afterall the baitfish will do the same. Use moving baits.

[Fat-G]

X2, cast and drift with the wind, it blows the baitfish and the warmer water in the same direction you will be headed.

Throw a spinnerbait.

[Midnight Splash]

Tell me about it rip.  Ive been cussing the wind for weeks.  I still fish it everyday just because the bass are full of eggs.  Its getting old though, everyday the wind is blowing 15-30. 

Today's forecast: 

Hazardous weather condition(s):

Wind Advisory

This Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Breezy, with a south wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

[Lund Explorer]

I sure wish the wind was the only thing I had to complain about. 

This picture I just took gives a good indication that it's going to be awhile before that happens.   

[Shad_Master]

Fellas, 25 mph wind is a "calm" day in Nebraska 

Work the wind blown points with cranks and chatter baits - jigs can also work well in these areas.  Try to position your boat into the wind and quarter the wind with your cast, if possible.

[senile1]

Fellas, 25 mph wind is a "calm" day in Nebraska

Work the wind blown points with cranks and chatter baits - jigs can also work well in these areas. Try to position your boat into the wind and quarter the wind with your cast, if possible.

Yeah, it's the same here.  Fifteen MPH is a low wind.  ;D

[Getfished]

The wind is tough. I look for places to throw a spinnerbait. I also would beef up a little with a football on some staging locations and drag it around a bit with my rod tip pointed down.

[hookingem]

X2, cast and drift with the wind, it blows the baitfish and the warmer water in the same direction you will be headed.

Throw a spinnerbait.

A spinnerbait I like the sound of that coming from a diehard flipping champ... ;D

[Fishes in trees]

The wind is your friend.  It helps reduce the size of the area you're fishing and pinpoints areas where you need to concentrate your efforts.  Keep telling yourself this until you believe it.  Wear your life jacket.

[JoePhish]

The wind is your friend. It helps reduce the size of the area you're fishing and pinpoints areas where you need to concentrate your efforts. Keep telling yourself this until you believe it. Wear your life jacket.

X2

[deaknh03]

It was so windy here today that when I threw my first cast it came right back at me, then landed behind me, and bounced on the ice.   Always remember, it could be worse.

[Jigfishn10]

It was so windy here today that when I threw my first cast it came right back at me, then landed behind me, and bounced on the ice. Always remember, it could be worse.

                

                        

I'm sure it was a lil cold too!

[Daniel My Brother]

I'm a worm dragger most of the time, but on windy days I'll do a lot more with crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

I do most of my fishing from a jon boat, so fighting the wind is a losing battle. I try to let the wind blow me down the bank and drop anchor if I'm lucky enough to find 'em stacked up. I'm certain a drift sock would help, but I've never tried one.

I always hear that fish will be on wind blown points and wind blown shores...but that doesn't always translate for me. Why? I have no idea.

My slowest days seem to be clear skies and a cool south wind...If those are the conditions, I usually look for a protected cove and try to finesse 'em.

[saint romain]

I always hear that fish will be on wind blown points and wind blown shores...but that doesn't always translate for me. Why? I have no idea.

i think thats because the wind blows the plankton, which some filter feeding baitfish follow for food, which the bass follow...for food

i think wind is a good thing, can be frustrating, but its also kind of hard to cast accurately in the dang wind...ive been throwing at least 1/4 ounce larger spinnerbaits than normal and now i can get it where i think a wittle fishy might be

[GuntersvilleSlayer]

The wind is very frustrating to say the least.. Most of the time when the wind gets over 15mph ill just go somewhere else protected from the wind.. or maybe fish current breaks on the backside of riprap, wood, barge ties etc

[Daniel My Brother]

I always hear that fish will be on wind blown points and wind blown shores...but that doesn't always translate for me. Why? I have no idea.

i think thats because the wind blows the plankton, which some filter feeding baitfish follow for food, which the bass follow...for food

i think wind is a good thing, can be frustrating, but its also kind of hard to cast accurately in the dang wind...ive been throwing at least 1/4 ounce larger spinnerbaits than normal and now i can get it where i think a wittle fishy might be

I probably didn't phrase that correctly. I understand WHY fishing should be better on wind blown points and shores, but in practice, it just doesn't always work that way for me.

[Crestliner2008]

Try a drift sock. Maybe two, depending on what kind of presentation you want to use.

[AndyPlaysDrums]

Agreed on cranks. I had great luck with a 1/2 oz. Red Eye Shad on one of the windiest days of the season last year.Being that I was bank fishing, I was having to cast into the wind, and they'd cut right through, and then I'd reel back into the windblown area that seemed to be holding the fish.

[Chris]

The problem you will find with wind is that it makes it tough to feel the bait and inturn feel the strike. You need to use lures that you have direct contact with the bait at all times so that you can feel the strike. Some use heavy weights to achieve this in the case of soft plastics (c-rig)or jigs. Others use crankbaits  and spinnerbaits. (both have a thump or vibration pattern you can feel even in wind) Good Luck 

[A-Jay]

I'll add this - I started fishing from a canoe 3 years ago.

For the first 2 years I avoided the wind big time but doing this reduced my days on the water quite a bit. So last year I decieded to brave the wind and get out in it whenever I could. Of course I was not wreckless and if it was unsafe I did not go.

Whether it was more time on the water or fishing in the wind I don't know for sure but last year I took my pb lmb, smb and a bonus pike ALL on "windy" days.

These results have inspired me to make a concerted effort to be on the water when the blow first comes on and before the water has a chance to get all churned up.

Good luck

A-Jay

[ryalred]

I don't like how hard it makes fishing, but I've caught many more fish with it windy than when the weather is calm.  I use more weight to stay in control of my plastic baits, but I also like to fish the windy banks and points with a rattletrap or spinner bait. Also, I will often anchor and fish out a spot and then move on and anchor again at a new spot. It doesn't wear you out as much as trying to run the trolling motor and fish at the same time in heavy wind.

[brophog]

Small, compact baits are your friends into the wind. Things that can hang up are not good.

I like things like lipless crankbaits, or 1/4 oz or bigger ball jigs tipped with plastics. Both are very easy to cast in the wind.

[Bryce C]

As a bank fisherman most days I love the wind....helps to hide me from the fish and I think it helps make their locations more predictable on some of the small ponds I fish.

[Bluebasser86]

Fellas, 25 mph wind is a "calm" day in Nebraska

Work the wind blown points with cranks and chatter baits - jigs can also work well in these areas. Try to position your boat into the wind and quarter the wind with your cast, if possible.

Yeah, it's the same here. Fifteen MPH is a low wind. ;D

I'd never get to fish if I stayed home everytime the wind was over 15mph  ;D. It sucks having to deal with it sometimes but the truth is it will help you more than if hurts you most days. If it's bad enough you can't feel a worm then it's time to get out the cranks, rattletraps, and spinnerbaits and cover some water. You can always try to get up a creek and get out of the wind also. I was knocking their lights out on a jerkbait at the south end of the lake with a south wind blowing a staight 30mph last weekend. Riding the waves sucks but it's worth it to be catching fish. When we got out of the wind in a couple different coves there was no fish to be found.