36 replies to this topic

[amishnightmare88]

I dont know about any others out there but when its windy, fishing is the last thing i want to do simply because, well, it sucks and i never catch fish. like today, with wind gusts up to 30-40mph. thats a little stupid lol. So what i am wondering, im sure you can catch fish just as you can when it isnt very windy, but when you fishing when the wind is blowing the wind blows slack in your line and it kinda makes it had to watch your line and feel bits when the water is choppy and wind is blowing. so is there such thing as to windy to fish? if not what are your tactics?

[flukemaster]

Around here we love to go fishing during a Lake Wind Advisory. We install the largest trolling motor we can on our boats and we catch the crap out of fish.

When it's windy you've got to fish the conditions. You can't fish anything that is slow like a jig or a worm. Those baits just aren't very effective because you can't feel the bite. You almost always have to go with a moving bait like a spinnerbait, crankbait, topwater, or swimbait. The good thing is the bass are usually cooperative when it's windy. I almost always go to windy points first and then, if they aren't there I work into windy pocket. I move fast and fish fast until I find them and then I stay in one spot for a little while until I feel that I've caught all that are going to bite. Here's a quick video of a windy day and it explains how I found some good fish. Enjoy.

[amishnightmare88]

Awsome! thanks!

[slonezp]

It's too windy to fish once it becomes dangerous. Otherwise go for it. Boat control can get frustrating, but the rewards can be worth the aggrivation. In my experience #'s may drop but the quality of the fish increases. I like to throw a spinnerbait, but if you can find a somewhat protected area never discount a jig.

[zip pow]

Two week ago on guntersville we had sustained winds of 35 mph and that one old boy put 32 lbs in the boat I had to use two drift socks and motor on high just to stay in one spot didn't catch but 24 lbs so if you can stand it and you have the equipment go if not be a fare weather fisher the biggest thing is if your not havi ng fun stay at home no sense in not having an enjoyable outing

[NBR]

The wind will push plankton towards shore and the bait fish follow as the gams fish follow in the parade. I fish unless it is dangerous either from just the waves of from being pushed to close to shore, reefs or rocks. It can be very productive but it can also be very tiring so if I get a breather from active fish I am apt to pull into a cove then after a rest I'm back out into the wind. If I find fish where it is quiet I will likely stay there since it's a lot more pleasant and as I've aged I have become a much more comfort oriented fisherman.

[J Francho]

It's too windy to fish once it becomes dangerous. Otherwise go for it. Boat control can get frustrating, but the rewards can be worth the aggrivation. In my experience #'s may drop but the quality of the fish increases.

Exactly this.

[tholmes]

Flukemaster nailed it. It CAN get too windy to fish bottom contact baits, and casting can become an issue, but I've
fished (from the shore) in winds of up to 40 mph. Spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, and blade baits (Silver Buddy, etc.) have worked the best for me.

I've been on a large reservoir in high winds, and if you stick to the coves and BE CAREFUL, you should be OK.
fishing open water with 3' whitecaps isn't a lot of fun.

Tom

[Diggy]

When it gets too windy to cast into it Ill make sure the wind is to my back...but Im a shore fisherman

[K_Mac]

The short answer is yes it can be too windy. As Dirty Harry once said, a man has got to know his limitations. When it comes to fishing knowing the limits of your gear is also vital. As Fluke said having a big TM gives you more options, and fishing in the wind can be fantastic. I lost a very good friend last spring because he failed to take the proper precautions and was fishing in a small boat, alone in heavy wind, on a lake that is notorious for being dangerous in the wind (Baldwin Lake, Randolph County, IL). Ignoring the danger cost him his life.

[J Francho]

There's no trolling motor for this:





For scale, see the semi in the background on a calm day:


Pics by my bud Wade.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

You have to think, are you going to fish for fun or for $. If it's just for fun then it may be to windy in thus conditions. You can almost any and occasion beat the wind by fishing coves and or points protected by the wind.

[amishnightmare88]

There's no trolling motor for this:





For scale, see the semi in the background on a calm day:


Pics by my bud Wade.

wow!!! yea i belive that would be a lil hard for a trolling motor lol

[Bob C]

The wind will push plankton towards shore and the bait fish follow as the gams fish follow in the parade. I fish unless it is dangerous either from just the waves of from being pushed to close to shore, reefs or rocks. It can be very productive but it can also be very tiring so if I get a breather from active fish I am apt to pull into a cove then after a rest I'm back out into the wind. If I find fish where it is quiet I will likely stay there since it's a lot more pleasant and as I've aged I have become a much more comfort oriented fisherman.

Me too. I have no desire to be a stunt pilot.

[TommyBass]

Too windy for the fish? No. For you? YES. Safety should be your #1 priority. Lake size, depth, and orientation all play into how it will react to the wind. Wind direction also matters for your specific lake. I have one lake near that is almost unfishable with anything over 15 mph sustained from a certain direction, but other directions its fine up to 25mph. Just be careful, watch your forecast, and know your lake. Your boat will play a huge role in this to.

Other than that, if your safe and you can manage the sometimes hair pulling stress of boat control, go for it. You may have some of your best outings! Or at least your partner will, since he can just sit in the back and have fun while you fight the wind.