How much is "Too windy"?

I have a 17ft Lowe, and had a good scare on a solo trip last fall when the wind suddenly kicked up to 25. How do you handle sudden changes in wind speed...and how much is just too much?

Less than 8 is not enough, 14-18 gets annoying. Sustained 18-22 I start looking for a break. 22+ I pack up and go in.

Was looking forward to the 70 degree weather this weekend, then saw where there will be 25mph winds on Sunday. Not sure I want to fight that.

+1

20 - 25 no can do , unless fishing tournament

If my trolling motor is bouncing out of the water and waves are coming over the front of the boat while I am standing on the front deck I'm done. If I can get out of the waves/wind in a good area to fish I will but otherwise I'm done

What about just fishing the bank that the wind is coming from?

I think it is also important to consider the body of water. Some little lakes that are long and narrow are just fine. Any large impoundment can be a rodeo even in a much bigger boat!

Be your own judge. If you start feeling uneasy or unsafe with the situation your in, then call it a day. It's just a fish and it will be there tomorrow.

Haha. You'd be done on my little boat after the first 10moh gust then.

Depends on how much you want to be out of the house.
you can always do as Andrew suggest and fish the bank on the upwind side,,,,or find a cove out of the wind. Launch in a spot keeping the afternoon wind in mind and then drive slow.
I certainly would not be in the middle of Sam Rayburn in 25 mph North winds.

Depends on the lake. If the wind is over 25mph and I really want to fish, I'll go to Holbrook. Smaller lakes are much easier in the wind. I certainly don't want to be on Ray Hubbard with a strong south wind.

There are lots of lakes. Find one with a ramp where you can launch and fish in moderate wind conditions without having to run through the rough stuff.

If by myself then no such thing... If I have someone with me it just depends on what they can handle and their experience on a boat.

My rule is, if its windy I stay on the side of the lake where I launched. That way I don't have to cross open water.

Anything with sustained winds over 20 and I stay home.

No matter how hard its blowing there is always a lake somewhere that can be safely fished, you might not be able to throw anything but moving baits, but you can darn sure find a place to fish out of the big rollers. If your fishing lakes with big water, pick a creek with a ramp and spend the day in there. I've only been on a few lakes that were scary big, Texoma, Rayburn, and T Bend for example get HUGE... where as lakes like Grapevine, Worth, or Joe Pool are easily navigated in big winds, just take your time and expect that you will get a little wet. Fork is another one that I dont like in 25+ MPH sustained winds, lakes with boat lanes that force you to only run a certain way are a recipe for disaster when it gets big.

Depends on my mood that day and whether it's a day trip or I'm on the road already. I prefer to fish in 15 and under I guess

In terms of safety, I've only encountered one or two days where I felt like I could not safely get out on the main lake and so didn't fish. Both were 30+ mph north winds on Roberts

More than 25 is a no go in my book

Depends on what the fish are doing and they better be quick about it above 18 mph. Some small lakes get bad pretty quick themselves.

There better be a lot of money on the line for 25+mph winds.

35 + gusts are flat out ridiculous to me!

Depends on what lake Rayburn and Toledo I dont mess with unless there is a ramp near by that has good fishing around that keeps you off the main lake. Tournys the same if its bad and they dont allow trailering Im going home its not worth it to me.

texoma 15

When your ears whistle.

Depends on the size of the lake but normally if it's blowing 20 your screwed.

I always wondered if caddo would be good on a windy day. Figure all the trees would make it a good place to fish on a day with high winds predicted.

Exactly. We fished Lake Tyler today and it wasn't bad, but I wouldn't have wanted to be on Rayburn in the same wind.

Depends on the lay of the lake.
A few Texas lakes run East to West. Since prevailing winds are normally South or North, those lakes can provide excellent areas to fish.

However, I have fished many times in 25-35 mph winds WITH AN ANCHOR.
In the Spring when wind is a fact of life, sometimes the best strategy is to anchor into the wind and fish off the back of the boat.
I've caught fish from beds on weightless Flukes in 25 mph winds doing this. Fish with the wind and you'll can feel the bite. Keep the line low - near the surface. It works.

PS - If you're not willing to fish in wind or rain in the Spring here in Texas, you're not going to fish very much.