Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

Hey guys,I'm puzzled here.I usually go fishing in the mornings,because it's peacefull and calm on the water.I do very well,in the quanity and quality of bass I catch.I went yesterday after noon,and didn't fair too well.I had 15 mph winds,and caught zero bass.I tried to keep the boat as steady as possible,but to no avail.My questions are these.First---how can I keep my boat steady,so I can enjoy an afternoon,in the wind? Second----I tried everything I could think of in tackle.What would you advise,to use in moderate to heavy winds? How would you suggest using a spinnerbait,in these conditions.Any help is gratefull.Keep up the awesome job. Ed

Bassman, it has been my experience, that wind is usually more friend than foe. If you have a bass boat positioning shouldn't be a problem, with Jon boats and vee bottoms it can be. I like to fish windy banks, just head the bow of the boat into the wind with enough trolling motor speed to keep the bow straight. I fish tight to the wind swept banks with fast moving spinnerbaits. In the wind, a lot of fish will be very shallow, some bait fish get pushed up against the banks, and crawfish get stirred up by the wave action and become active. Cast parallel to the bank when possible, about two feet from shore. Remember, the fish will be facing the wind so always cast ahead of the boat. Crankbaits are another good choice, easy to cast into the wind and covers a lot of water in a hurry, plus bass are looking for small bluegill etc. feeding on the plankton stirred up by the wind. Most anglers like to drfit with the wind so they don't have to fight the trooling motor, but in reality, that's a bad technique. It's actually harder to control the boat, you're always casting right into the fishs face or behind them and the boat moves too fast. let wind be your friend!! Johnnie

Johnnie's got it right. When I think back, all my limits, or should I say my few limits , have come on windy days. Just never thought it thru like Johnnie. I also fish into the wind when fishing for a few dollars, but when I'm out for fun I'll take my light john boat into large coves. I like to throw creature baits and top waters. Good luck, Carl.

Hey all,thanks for the advise.Before I saw all of your advise,I experimented with a few things.I put the boat into the wind,and tried a few soft plastics,and a spinnerbait.Only caught a couple of fish,but well worth the try.Thank you for your help.I figure,if ya don't experiment,you won't do very well. thanks again. bassman

Again Jonnie and Carl are right on the spot!!

I'll tell what else I do to help when fishing in the wind. Find you a point that the wind is blowing across position your boat on the down wind side of the point kinda tucked around out of the wind and throw across that point and bring the bait down wind to the fish. The reason is alot of times the fish will be on the backside of that point facing into the wind and when you bring that bait right in front of them they cant resist it. Not only that but it save on the trolling motor batter being positioned out of the wind. Hope that makes since to ya. Its really an easy way to fish on a windy day. Just go from point to point and fish it hard with spinners and cranks, even a Carolina Rig can do the trick.

Good luck and catchabigun

I go directly to a spinner bait when the wind is an issue and I look the wind blown shoreline. My experience has shown that rocky shorelines with waves crashing can be exceptional. Also many fisherman will avoid the wind and an entire shoreline can be yours. Johnny is spot on again!

If available; I have fished very close to cat tails in water that is just rippled for about 3 feet before the wave action. Using creature baits and small senkos with some good success.

Just wondering: Has anyone experimented with drift socks?


Bassin Butch

Butch, I've never used a drift sock, although if I fished big water like the Great Lakes I would difinately have one and learn to use it. If I tried it in the Mississippi river, I'd get downstream in a hurry.LOL! I don't know any bass pros that uyse them, but Pro walleye anglers do, of course, they spend a lot more time fishing large expanses of open water. Good question. Johnnie

Bassman,
I once won a Great Plains Tournament of Champions tournament when the wind gusts were in excess of 40 mph. The area I fished was a wide open point that extended well into the lake. I fished all day with waves coming over the front of the boat with water slapping my kness. Bilge pump on constantly and still had enough water to cover my shoes. I used a crankbait so the fish would basically hook themselves. Really hard to keep position because the trolling motor head kept coming out of the water on each major wave. The guys that fished sheltered water had only minimal fish. I took and physical and mental beating, but that trophy still looks good!! JOhnnie

Wow guys.I guess experience does pay off.Well,the next time I fish in the wind,I'll remember what ya all said.I'll take my own advise,that I gave my son bluegill.I'll just print this out,so I could use it for future references.Now maybe I can catch some fish.Thanks all,you're the greatest. bassman