If you fish big water, you better be a close follower of wind.  It’s not only a safety thing is a fishability thing.  I just got back from the most brutal week on St Clair we have ever had.  30mph wind gusts, brutal cold and lockjaw fish.  We trailered across the lake 2 days from Harsens Island and probably should have a third day.  My back and kidneys are paying the price.  On St Clair the water muddies up in different areas depending on the wind.  

On 5/20/2025 at 9:51 PM, Pat Brown said:

This is about all there is to say.  It's a thing you gotta be aware of every moment of the day when fishing.

But why?

 

Why is everyone so focused on the wind and how should it impact my fishing hourly outside of the concern for swells that could Tip my yak?

On 5/21/2025 at 8:37 AM, GreenTrout said:

East wind, forget it. 

Why?

 

Also for you yakrs, what's the max wind you'll go on the yak? 

I get the days I get to fish so I pretty much have to deal with whatever or not go. I check the weather apps and look at the wind forecast. I don’t care what direction. I honestly really don’t care about wind below 25mph. It may change where I go sometimes but, I only really worry about that a couple days before. 

9 hours ago, Banned User said:

But why?

 

Why is everyone so focused on the wind and how should it impact my fishing hourly outside of the concern for swells that could Tip my yak?

Why?

 

Also for you yakrs, what's the max wind you'll go on the yak? 

 

 

I like to be aware of wind because it moves the phytoplankton and the food chain around and positions bass on structure.

Where I bass fish the wind is the same almost every day.  With light east winds in the morning switching to strong west winds in the afternoon.  The further in to the dry season, the stronger the west wind, and early in the day it changes.  There is no decent weather forecast for the area, so I count on west winds of up to 35 MPH this time of year.  The rainy season will start soon, changing the severity of the wind.  I guess if any one wants to know what the wind will be on my lake, I am the one to contact.

 

When I fish the salt water I check the wind forecast almost hourly when I'm out on the water, and at least once a day for a week before I go.  The weather is the number one factor that will determine where I fish.  I also check the sea temperature, and chlorophyl charts a for a few days before I go looking for a trend in the current, and check both twice a day while on the water.

 

When I lived in Alaska, my life depended on accurate wind, weather predictions and assessments, I checked the weather as often as possible.