Here’s a shot from the local lake cam this morning showing foam lines on the water. These are known as ‘Langmuir streaks’ or ‘windrows.’ They require steady and sustained winds of at least 7-8 mph in order to form, and become more apparent with stronger winds (10-15 mph). If you see them on the lake, you can be confident the wind has been blowing strong out of the same direction for several hours. In the spring, this means the warmer surface waters have likely been piled up in downwind pockets and coves. It also means there has been enough time and strength to form mudlines on susceptible banks. This, combined with the wave action, will often lead to more stained and warmer water, resulting in shallower, more aggressive bass.

 

Thanks. That’s good to know. 

Nice.

I call those 'cast helpers'.

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A-Jay 

We do something similar in the rivers. We call them “foam pockets”  this indicates to us where the slack water and Eddie’s are. 

Thanks T9. Good advice 

4 hours ago, Team9nine said:

These are known as ‘Langmuir streaks’ or ‘windrows.’

Blast from the past - soon as I started reading my mind went back to Limnology 101 in College. Thanks, Brian for the memories.

Makes sense. I hope my feeble mind will remember this tidbit.

17 hours ago, scaleface said:

Makes sense. I hope my feeble mind will remember this tidbit.

I totally am with you….the next time I see some “windrows”, I will probably spend the rest of the day, in between cast that is, trying to figure out what I read about them.

Around here if the wind is blowing hard enough to make the water do that then I will be fishing from the bank or not at all.

I see these all of the time!  I always thought they were the result of exhaust from all of the outboards or some other pollutant mixed with the water.  I usually don't see them so well defined, or so many at once, however.  But it's good to know that it's not a sign of pollution AND has some significance for fishing!  

Nice post @Team9nine.   Here is a more scientific explanation for those who want to get in the weeds.

53 minutes ago, Bankc said:

I see these all of the time!  I always thought they were the result of exhaust from all of the outboards or some other pollutant mixed with the water. 

 

They are actually an indication of stuff dissolved in the water (and to a lesser extent climatic conditions). Same with  the bubble trail behind a buzzbait.