When using a casting rod, casting into the wind is the hardest to master. I've not mastered it yet, but I'd say I'm an intermediate, maybe even advanced intermediate. One of my preferred bank spots always has the wind in my face, and I resolved to learn to cast into the wind regardless of how hard it is.

 

Obviously using a heavier lure, but also casting sideways to avoid as much wind as possible are the two things I have learned. Is there any other tips that will help me out?

 

I actually don't use a heavier lure if I can get by casting wise without it, and I've caught several fish when I can't feel the lure at all, only the hit or weight of the fish. I wonder though if this, which goes against conventional wisdom is hurting me in some way. My theory is, I am solid on my technique (and also familiar with my spot), so I don't need to feel the lure to know what's going on, and that a lighter lure always looks better, and looks better if the water moves it around some.

Heavier helps but so does more compact and more dense in weight distribution. A 1/2 oz buzz bait and a 1/2 oz red eye shad both weigh the same but the red eye laughs at wind while the buzz bait will get blown around. Skirts and appendages add drag. 

Stubborness doesn't catch you any more fish... use a better tool (spinning reel)

Using a heavier lure will help somewhat but it’s not always the right answer especially if your spot isn’t 10 ft away.

With a centrifugal brake system which all my reels are except for one, the first thing I do is to increase the spool tension a bit in small increments. 
If that doesn’t do enough then I’ll add a brake and fine tune with the knob. 

The trick and most important of all is to keep your lure low to the water using a roll cast with a side arm motion.

 

 

 

 

Mike

I've yet to master casting into the wind with a bait caster.

A side cast helps but doesn't eliminate the occasional birds nest.

 

3 minutes ago, Bird said:

I've yet to master casting into the wind with a bait caster.

A side cast helps but doesn't eliminate the occasional birds nest.

 

Thats where your thumb comes in. 
Mine doesn’t leave the spool throughout the entire motion 

It takes awhile to master but eventually it becomes easier 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Thanks for the tips all. Yes, I use a spinning rig too, and it's much easier to cast. I've been known to be stubborn.

I don't use a spinning reel and seldom have issues into the wind with anything without skirts or blades. I've been using BFS and, one would think, the 8lb braid would be an issue, but everything casts like a bullet into the wind. Your thumb is your best friend. 

As noted keep the cast low to the water and cut down the distance you are trying to achieve. The more aerodynamic the lure (less wind resistance ) the easier it is to cast into the wind. Add a little spool tension helps but your thumb is your friend and smaller diameter line helps.

Tom

On 4/11/2025 at 5:02 PM, Mike L said:

Thats where your thumb comes in. 
Mine doesn’t leave the spool throughout the entire motion 

It takes awhile to master but eventually it becomes easier 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

^^^this^^^

I can cast aerodynamic lures (like @WRB said) directly into the wind using a more moderate rod with a sidearm/roll cast very low to the water and making sure my thumb is skimming the spool 100% of the cast.  I do not attempt to throw light lures or big spinners or anything that looks like a sailboat.  Rarely have an issue AS LONG AS I follow my own rules.  

Side arm cast with a lift of the tip as the lure gets closer to the water/target. 

Experience.  By the time you become a Jedi Master at removing backlashes, you will also be a master at casting into the wind.  You wont learn one, without learning the other.  I have found  swearing doesn't help with the cast, but can assist with the backlash removal.  The good news is bass appreciate a good cast in to the wind.  

When casting into the wind, I just sidearm cast to keep the lure low, and just deal with not being able to cast as far.

 

Heavier lures seem to bump the wind better.

Using a DC reel helps a lot, specially with jerkbaits and spinnerbaits, lures that are large for their weight.

It took me many years to master casting into the wind and still on occasion I will get that dreaded birds nest. Using braid has made a difference also...at least to me is has. And as others have already said, sidearm roll cast on windy days are a must. I remember a time when we avoided casting into the wind at all cost LOL!!!

that's when I take out my Zebco Omega Pro spincast. we get some stiff winds in my neck of the woods ...

Good Fishing

Watch the water.  Sometimes you can see a wind gust moving across the lake.  I wait to cast until it passes.

No rainbow arching casts, no spinner baits.  
 

everything aerodynamic, best I can.  And I adjust my expectations and move my kayak in closer to the target. If casting from shore (I’m looking at you Lake Texoma), and a windy day blowing into my face brings the fish in, I will really use slender baits and go with 3/4oz versions.   And I use a Curado DC and shamelessly click it to Number-3.  

Thanks for all the replies. Today was a windy day and I had several overruns but not birdsnest. I was able to click up my magnetic brake and resolve it.

Setting your reel a little tighter than normal can help. That way the overruns don't get too crazy when they happen. We had 30mph winds here Saturday and I was firing a jerkbait into the wind on casting gear a lot. It sucks but it can be done. Sidearm cast fired low, into the wind, kept my overruns to a minimum. 

On 4/13/2025 at 8:41 AM, greentrout said:

that's when I take out my Zebco Omega Pro spincast.

^ x2 I my worries of backlash disappear. Great rigs for skipping too. 

Well it seems to me

That we've lived our lives

Castin' into the wind.

 

Never knowin'

Who to turn to

When the backlash kicks in.

 

Well, I woulda 

Liked to known y'all

But I was just a kid.

 

Bass Resource wasn't around

To show me what 

I shoulda did.

 

 

Spincasters and spinning reels FTW! 

If wind picks up.. I just adjust external  brakes up a bit... If I need to.. Turn internal brakes up too... Much easier to control boat facing into the wind so just have to adjust N learn how to cast into the wind if needed... Modern baitcasters now are so much better to deal with windy conditions.. 

What is this "backlash" you speak about?