Skip to content

Confused about windless and windy

Featured Replies

Can someone explain this to me:

I've heard calm/windless days are bad, because it creates a 'glass top'. Yet I've also heard windy days are bad (yet i don't know why).

What's the deal?

  • Super User

Really windy days are tough to fish your spots slowly or thoroughly enough due to your boat getting pushed around, or making it harder to cast far and accurately. Days when there is no wind at all, the fish's visibility is at it's best, and therefor making it tougher to fool 'em.

Windless days also allow forage to settle which makes them harder targets for bass.  Wind causes the water to stir which pushes forage out and makes it more vulnerable. 

  • Author

Ok, so no wind is bad, but too much wind is bad. The show I was watching didn't specify how hard the wind was blowing, just said the wind was bad, and I got confused. I guess it makes better sense.

Yes, I would say strong winds have been the toughest element I have had to fish through.  Sometimes has even made me regret only getting a 55# thrust minnkota. 

  • Super User

Some of my best days fishing have been on really windy days.  The water gets mixed up, bait gets forced together.  You can fish just off of those windblown banks and really have a spectacular day if you get on the fish.  Boat positioning can be a big problem in serious wind.  If you're in shallow water, either drop your Power Pole if you've got one, make a shallow water anchoring pole, or just drop the anchor over to position yourself properly.  Otherwise, you can just stay on the trolling motor and constantly adjust.

  • Author

Just to clarify, by wind-blown banks, you mean the banks that the water/wind are pushing/blowing towards?

This would be because the fish are staging and waiting for whatever is in the water to drift their way?

Yes the "wind blown" bank would be the one receiving the wind.

  • Super User

The thing about wind is it moves the algae through the water toward a specific spot or bank. The zooplankton which live on the algae move with it. The baitfish which eat the zooplankton move along also.

The predatory fish which feed on the baitfish get there and have a feast.

If you want some really good fall fishing, go on the third day after the wind has been in a consistent direction. When it blows first one way then another the fish tend to scatter all over the place. Spinnerbaits, slider grubs, swim jigs are my choices for this type of fishing. I'll go as long as I can keep my tmotor prop in the water with 2 guys on the bow holding it down.

Wind blown banks are great places to fish. Early on it was believed it pushed the bait up and made it a killing field for the bass. Bait fish can swim and move around even in a current. Now the thought is it pushes the plankton and other small creatures up against the bank drawing in the bait giving feeding fish a place to dine. That said, it also oxygenates the water. I would always prefer to fish in a wind then in the calm.

The thing about wind is it moves the algae through the water toward a specific spot or bank. The zooplankton which live on the algae move with it. The baitfish which eat the zooplankton move along also.

The predatory fish which feed on the baitfish get there and have a feast.

If you want some really good fall fishing, go on the third day after the wind has been in a consistent direction. When it blows first one way then another the fish tend to scatter all over the place. Spinnerbaits, slider grubs, swim jigs are my choices for this type of fishing. I'll go as long as I can keep my tmotor prop in the water with 2 guys on the bow holding it down.

X2 and most all of the bases are covered in this  ;)

Big O

www.ragetail.com

  • Super User

I agree with Jig Man description of wind blown days but disagree with premise that no wind means no fish. Dead calm can be killer when throwing big noisy top water lures especially at night and around grass flats.

  • Super User
I agree with Jig Man description of wind blown days but disagree with premise that no wind means no fish. Dead calm can be killer when throwing big noisy top water lures especially at night and around grass flats.

X2...The topwater bite has been awesome over grass during this time.

I agree with Jig Man description of wind blown days but disagree with premise that no wind means no fish. Dead calm can be killer when throwing big noisy top water lures especially at night and around grass flats.

Was just going to write the same thing.  I ADORE going out on a night just like tonight.  No wind all day, calm as glass, and throwing my buzzbait till my arm falls off.  Plastics work GREAT too when throwing to vegetation edges in the calm water at dusk.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.