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What do you do when it's windy
#11203724
11/03/15 09:16 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 663
HaulinBass02
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 663 |
Just wondering what you do when it's 10-15 mph and you want to fish. Do you pre plan where you want to fish? Some lakes get really rough quick and others aren't affected as much. I want to do more fishing this fall and it can get rough so I'm looking for tips on what others do to minimize the wind as an enemy....and I realize that 10-15 may not be as bad as 15-20 but for some reason my 18' boat feels like it just goes where the wind blows. Drift control is hard too...
Last edited by HaulinBass02; 11/03/15 09:17 PM.
'99 Skeeter 186SX SC, 150 Yamaha VMax '13 Ford F-150 SCrew XLT, 4x4, 5.0, 6-spd
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11203738
11/03/15 09:24 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,576
UTDmiller
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,576 |
I know some will go to smaller lakes when the wind is blowing. This time of the year we get more north wind I believe so maybe lakes that are situated east-west instead of north south. Can always fish pockets out of the wind too, though wind blown points can be very productive
John Miller
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11203739
11/03/15 09:24 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 258
Undertaker56
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 258 |
I have a 17 ft basstracker and when the wind gets up I have to go home so I know how you feel!!!
I'm the last one to let you down!!!
Yes I am a real Undertaker.. I will give up my rod when you pry my cold dead hands off of it!!!!
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11203746
11/03/15 09:26 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 258
Undertaker56
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 258 |
Guess I need a bigger trolling motor!!!
I'm the last one to let you down!!!
Yes I am a real Undertaker.. I will give up my rod when you pry my cold dead hands off of it!!!!
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11203748
11/03/15 09:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,885
04champ
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,885 |
with a 80# thrust TM and a long shaft you should have no problem holding in 10-15 mph wind in your boat.
Keep your bow pointed into the wind when you can.
If I'm fishing a stretch of bank, I always fish INTO the wind
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11203758
11/03/15 09:32 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 12,433
JIM SR.
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 12,433 |
80# Terrova with spot-lock..good up to 20, after that I hide in coves.
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11203759
11/03/15 09:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,443
Razorback
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,443 |
In my experience if the forecast calls for 10-15 the wind typically blows harder than that on the lake. For instance, Sunday the Tyler forecast was calling for 5 mph winds. I went to Lake Palestine and the wind and waves were stronger than 5.
I am in an 18-1/2 foot boat, too, so I know what you mean, especially on big lakes. If I can, I try to figure out a ramp that is close to the areas I want to fish. If there isn't a ramp close, I try to find one on the side of the lake from which the wind is blowing, as in a ramp on the south shore if the wind is supposed to blow hard from the south or southeast.
If I absolutely have to fish in the wind to get to my fish, I'll do it...but I don't like it. The older you get the harder it is on your body to try to stand on a heaving deck all day and the harder it is to keep your balance. Plus, I find my trolling batteries wearing down after a while with a 24 volt TM with a 42" shaft. I will anchor sometimes if conditions (bottom depth, etc.) allow, but I don't really like having to worry about getting fish caught up in an anchor rope.
And...sometimes I simply refuse to launch if the wind is high enough. My club was fishing the TBF Top 6 on Rayburn several years ago. We were going out of the Pavilion and the wind was gusting to over 40 out of the NW. We drove across the dam on the way to the ramp and the waves crashing into it were awe inspiring, like something you would see battering a sea wall on the ocean. I told my partner if the tournament director didn't allow trailering I wasn't putting my boat in the water. Luckily he did allow it and we trailered to Harvey Creek thinking that would be protected. It was, somewhat, but the waves were still bad. I took three over the bow idling away from the ramp after making my partner jump out of the boat to get the truck and trailer. There were waves breaking over my tailgate and into the bed of the truck when I tried to load. Luckily I hit it just right the first time.
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11203802
11/03/15 09:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 363
Possumkingdomtackle
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 363 |
I hate the wind but look up a map of your lake and pinpoint creeks and coves that will offer up a break from the wind
Https://www.facebook.com/possumkingdomtackle
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11203880
11/03/15 10:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,709
Bass Buster1
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,709 |
I have an 18'6" boat with a 150. I find a ramp that is protected from the wind for the day and launch there. I fish spots in the wind but only fish going in to the wind as was stated above. I wear my life jacket and kill switch always when running and try to run where I am protected from the biggest waves. I also use a leaning post when running the trolling motor which helps keep me in the boat. Takes a little practice but it is doable. If it gets real bad, I will launch at a protected ramp like in a marina and fish that area all day without getting out in the real nasty stuff. The worst part to me is in the evening when you get home and still feel like you are moving up and down:)
See you on the lake and have a great day!
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11203947
11/03/15 11:14 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 513
wagonwheel
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 513 |
I find the places protected from the wind, I know my limitations, and wear a life jacket. If your going to fish in Texas, you have learn how to deal with the wind. Sometimes it is just too windy and I stay home, part of knowing my limitations.
Hey--we finally caught one! dwjimages.smugmug.com
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11203969
11/03/15 11:26 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 925
skeeter james
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 925 |
It's definitely different on windy days here around DFW. It can be hard to find somewhere to fish when the wind blows. That's what I miss so much about Caddo Lake, there could be 2-3 ft waves there and if you went around a corner it would be like glass!!!
Here in DFW, if it's blowing very hard I just stay home and I have a 21ft boat. Sometimes it isn't worth the hassle. That must be my age showing up because when I was 20 it didn't matter what the conditions were, if I wanted to go fishing I went..
Like others have said, a good heavy duty trolling motor is essential on a windy day. My 1st big boar came with a 56lb thrust trolling motor and I was young and didn't really know the difference. If I got out in 10 mph wind with that boat my batteries would be dead in 3 hrs!! Finally my neighbor talked me into getting a Minn Kota 80# trolling motor, problem solved!!!!! I could fish for hours in wind and if I forgot to charge the batteries, no problem they still had plenty of juice..
Formerly known as progator james 2013 Skeeter FX21 with a 250 SHO... Love this boat!!
James Moore 214-458-8024
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11204047
11/04/15 12:04 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 631
Mayo
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 631 |
I fish wind blown banks and cut the bilge pump on from time to time in my 18' cat... Meow
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11204063
11/04/15 12:13 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,100
epicoutdoors
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,100 |
Fishing windblown points, banks and the like can be very productive but it's definitely a fight with 2 to 3 ft waves crashing in. If you always avoid fishing rough water areas you are potentially missing out on some good catches.
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11204066
11/04/15 12:16 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,106
9094
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,106 |
The wind is my friend. I fish the windy banks until I can't hold any longer. Xcept in the spring during spawn then find the most protected water I can.
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Re: What do you do when it's windy
[Re: HaulinBass02]
#11204106
11/04/15 12:35 AM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 85,893
John175☮
MACHO MAN
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MACHO MAN
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 85,893 |
Look at a lake map and launch from the side the wind is blowing from.
Fish points and the eddys formed as the wind blows past a point. Bass are lazy and will get out of the current.
“Do not pray for easier lives. Pray to be stronger men.†-JFK
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