Went out today on a small impoundment and was hammered with 20+ mph winds. Bass tracker struggled. Temps in mid 40s but could hardly get a good presentation....forget about pitching jigs! My dad caught a nice brook trout on a red eye shad...but that was it for us. The impoundment has one tiny cove that was barely sheltered so we were stuck with the wind.

What's your most effective strategy when the wind is howling?

On my lake, if the wind is howling (preferably <20 mph) you are really missing out if you're not throwing a moving bait.

Head back to the house! Lol I was out yesterday in my canoe wind and chop was so d**n bad. Line bow was so bad on my light lures I could barely fish also. Spent way more time canoeing than fishing. I find it real hard to fish heavy wind.

Cranking usually into the wind or crossing it. I have also had good Luck with a strike king anaconda Texas riged and swimming. It can be deadly. Low side arm cast to keep out of the wind

I like fishing the banks against the wind.  I slow crawl jigs, slow roll colorado spinnerbaits, and (occasionally) cast out blade baits with a medium paced retrieve. 

Early spring here in northern Missouri , I would try to avoid real windy conditions . I probably wouldnt even go out .

 

 In the summer , wind really gets the fish biting. Problem is   sometimes it is impossible to fish it. It was so windy one day { sustained 40 mph } that I just bank  fished on a rocky bank where the waves were violently crashing  on . I used half a Wave Tiki stick on a jighead and fished it do nothing style. Caught all kinds of fish. largemouth bass , white bass , crappie, Drum , Channel cats and a big ole flathead. 

Buzz baits spinner baits and prop top water baits. Anything that creates a lot of commotion.

I hate the wind in my yak. At those temps I would like to use a jerkbait and jig. I guess I would try a lipless or bladebait.

Spinnerbait on wind blown banks..

I use the Spot Lock function on my Minn Kota Terrova.  The motor uses GPS to automatically keep me in the same place, regardless of the wind or current.

I don't throw spinnerbaits very much at all, but when the wind is blowing that's when I'll break down and throw a spinnerbait because they are the ticket a lot of times!

I use the Spot Lock function on my Minn Kota Terrova.  The motor uses GPS to automatically keep me in the same place, regardless of the wind or current.

That the remote control version correct ?

The rocky and rip rap dam had trout anglers all over it so that was a no go.

I used swimjig and spro lil john most of the day. Had trailer tails ripped off swimjig twice which was the extent of my action. Tried jerkbait but at those temps I had to use slower cadence...which was impossible with the wind, I was practically trolling.

Probably didn't help fishing post frontal conditions either.

Swimbaits or umbrella rig.

20mph is a gentle breeze around here in the spring (and most of the year for that matter). I fish all the same baits, because I have to. We had a small tournament a couple years ago in the fall that we won fishing jigs and weighless Senkos, despite 25-30mph winds. That was back when I had a 16' aluminum too. When you fight the wind all the time you just get use to it. 

I turn the boat into the wind and drop a heavy anchor. I throw t-rigs with heavy weights, big jigs, and rat-l-traps. When white caps start forming I go in.

The key on really windy days for me is make sure you use a heavy enough weight for your bottom baits. Too heavy is better than too light in this case, it is so frustrating when the wind won't let your baits touch bottom even in shallower water.

 

Like others mentioned moving baits are typically a staple. Big spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, lipless cranks cast like a charm in heavy wind. Buzzbaits as well.

 

My best day fishing this year was in just below gale force winds (about 30mph sustained with gusts up to 50). It was semi-dangerous, and hectic, but man did we clobber them. The wind blew so hard that when the periods of rain came it stung when we weren't moving.

A couple of the places I fish are big lakes. Some of the best spots are way way offshore. Most of the time I am battling the wind. If it gets too rough I anchor. If it is really windy I will stick with heavier baits such as a spinnerbait, chatterbait, and a JIG. Although not very heavy crankbaits work well in the wind as well. You can cast them a mile. The bite offshore is usually pretty good if the wind has kicked up.

Spinnerbaits!!!oh and spinnerbaits

Hunker up under whatever i can and blind cast cranks,spinners, etc. whatever i can get away with without having to play tricks. Wind sucks...

Btw, Why must it always be windy on clear days?

I anchor up the canoe, fan cast for 10 minutes then pull up anchor, cuss at the wind, move spots and try again. I fought wind all day yesterday on Briery Creek Lake VA.

Boat control is difficult in windy conditions with a aluminum light weight boat, heavier bass boats not too much of a problem. 20 mph sustained wind with high gusts creates some big waves depending on the lake. Use common sense, cold 40 degree air temps and high wind isn't a good combination.

Where I bass fish 20 mph wind is normal so we learn how to fish in the wind. Wind blown points are good, the wind creates current and blows in plankton and bait fish that activates the bass into feeding. Everything can work as long as you can cast effectively, control your line and detect strikes.

Boat control is critical, if you can't control the boat, get a 20 lb navy anchor, 4' of heavy 1"-1 1/2" chain and 50' of 3/4 dia rope and anchor. The larger diameter rope is a lot easier to handle. I use a plastic milk carton create to store my anchor and rope when I use it for windy nights.

Tom

In early spring, I'll fish the wind blown shore as the wind will be blowing the warmer surface water there. During the spawn, I'll avoid those areas as too much wind will affect the nests.  During the summer, I love a windy day as it will not only cause wave action which, in turn, will cut light penetration as well as keep me cooler. During the fall, I don't pay much attention to it.

Fishing from the shore it depends on which way the wind is blowing. I can hide on the windless side of a small inlet or cove and still fish. Spinnerbaits, inline spinners, small spin flys. The joesfly 1/4oz bass size in firetiger apache is great when the water is choppy.

I anchor up the canoe, fan cast for 10 minutes then pull up anchor, cuss at the wind, move spots and try again. I fought wind all day yesterday on Briery Creek Lake VA.

Did you catch any?