What are the advantages to fishing in the wind?  How do you adapt?  Here's how!

 

 

Good info! I like to use an anchor in the wind 

 

 

                                               

Except for those times that I am fishing the bottom the wind is my friend.  That is why I have a 112# thrust trolling motor and a heavy fiberglass boat.

I used to HATE the wind and would always fish protected coves on windy days.  Nowadays, I just dislike it since I am more of a finesse fisherman.  But once I stopped fighting the wind and moved to primarily fast-moving baits on windy shorelines, my success rate went way up.  A spotlock troller and a shallow water anchor really help as well.  

If its going to be a windy day, I have to avoid the bigger lakes.  I only have a Ranger RT178 so fishing in 2 foot rollers just isn't practical or safe.

 

Luckily there are a number of smaller lakes I can fish if its going to be windy.  So even a really windy day generally doesn't completely stop me from going.

If I can safely fish in it,

I will almost always choose the wind.

Results dictate.

https://youtu.be/s5YAlFDZ_C4?t=991

A-Jay

I'll take high winds over calm and try to go on the windiest days. Photo below is about right.

   Since I mainly fly fish, windy days are not my friend.  That's why I always have a spinning rod or two with me when I'm in a boat.  There are four of us who fish together.  The other three guys own boats, but nothing fancy, ranging from a 10 foot john boat to a 16 foot aluminum one.  The highest horsepower is a 25 horse on the 16 footer.  The lakes we fish on are mainly small and shallow.  Still on a windy day it's hard to stay in position with a trolling motor and sometimes even get the anchor to catch.  And the wind just screws up my casting with the fly rod.  Definitely good info in the video.

 

The video made some good points.  Wind is also good for keeping the mosquitoes away.

10-15 mph is pretty good. 

Make sure you're upwind when you pee off the side of the boat.

The wind is my friend also.  Slight choppy noise level forces them to use eyesight more. The bite is a full quick commitment.

Wind allows me to fish a little more "relaxed" in my opinion. 

- trolling motor doesn't spook the fish as bad (can get closer)

- walking around and shutting compartments in the boat aren't as bad

- lure imperfections are less visible

- etc...

 

In addition, I think wind makes bass more predictable in relation to where they set up...Then add the stirring around of the forage to the mix, I'll take the wind any day 

 

I get excited about wind, it's big fish time. Great tips on treating the water like there's some current and looking for breaks, I haven't been doing that. 

4 hours ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

10-15 mph is pretty good. 

 

2 hours ago, slonezp said:

Make sure you're upwind when you pee off the side of the boat.

seconded. And seconded. 
 

8 hours ago, gimruis said:

If its going to be a windy day, I have to avoid the bigger lakes.  I only have a Ranger RT178 so fishing in 2 foot rollers just isn't practical or safe.

 

Luckily there are a number of smaller lakes I can fish if its going to be windy.  So even a really windy day generally doesn't completely stop me from going.

I’m in a kayak with spotlock and on windy rainy days I’ll actually choose the big lake because that’s one time I can fish it without most of the pleasure boaters. I can sit on the backs of points and let the wind blow the baitfish around it. 

Wind is a way of life in KS. Learn to deal with it or take up a different hobby. 10-15mph is a gentle breeze, 20-25 is about the standard unfortunately and higher is pretty regular. I won't complain too much though because our fish don't know how to act on those rare flat calm days. 

I walk ponds so wind isn't an issue. It actually enhances the bite. That said, whitecaps on a two acre pond that throws my bait back at me means it's time to pack it in.

I don't like the wind, but the bass don't care what I like, and where I fish, the bass like the wind.  All my biggest bass have been caught when the wind was blowing more than 15 MPH. 

Birds that eat fish are grounded.  Or have difficulty seeing & holding position. Fish know that very well.

23 hours ago, slonezp said:

Make sure you're upwind when you pee off the side of the boat.

Always solid advice from you! 

3 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Always solid advice from you! 

Only the best for my BR compadres. 

Good stuff.  I don't mind the wind but my fishing buddy fishes so close to the bank that it can be difficult to get quality casts in.  I prefer to fish into the wind if it's 10-15 mph. It's easier to deal with than getting blown around.  Having good skill with a trolling motor is a plus. 

 

On the kayak though, high winds can be dangerous.  Planning each fishing spot and each cast for the matter is a challenge. Landing fish and getting them to the kayak without getting smashed on rocks or somebody's dock is another problem. 

3 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Wind is a way of life in KS. Learn to deal with it or take up a different hobby. 10-15mph is a gentle breeze, 20-25 is about the standard unfortunately and higher is pretty regular. I won't complain too much though because our fish don't know how to act on those rare flat calm days. 

I’m looking for a protected cove in 25 mph wind. 

Really bright sunlight calm water sends all suspended schools somewhere out of sonar detection.