BlueGill, its not just YOU. We all struggle in boat lanes on windy stumpy lakes. Some people are just far more riskier boaters, not necessarily better boaters, than others. Havent been doing this long, but one thing I have learned if I am not comfortable doing it, I wont do it. Probably why I only fish solo events out of my own boat. I don't have time worrying about my dumb arse driver running 60 mph through a stumpfield trimming it high and letting it fly. Just because Luke and Duke are going up north 30 miles in 25 mph wind doesn't mean you have to. This is life and death. Not worth me not making it home to my family. Become a "meteorologist", plan your fish around mother nature, if you challenge her, you will eventually lose.

Fish smart.

For Fork, you are better off checking the weather and making a plan in advance as to which creeks will keep you out of the wind and just stay there all day. Some of those are big enough to spend the entire day in. Trailer to weigh in if allowed.

A man has to know his limitations.

+1

This, and not just Fork. Texoma comes to mind.

Taking waves head on is always the roughest. Watch the weather forecast and wind direction and speed when planning your trips. Wear your PFD and attach your kill switch always when the big engine is running. Let someone know where you're going and what time you plan on returning if you're fishing alone. Learn how to mark a MOB waypoint on your graph just in case. Never set your trolling motor in continuous mode while fishing alone. A friend drowned years ago because of this. If your fishing tournaments then give yourself plenty of time to make weigh in at a safe speed. They don't make a bass boat that's going to ride smooth when it gets bad. If your in stumps then just idling could put a whole in the hull if the waves are big enough. Boat lanes and open water can have floaters in them during or after high winds so watch out. Always error towards caution when boating.

Know your limitations is the best piece of advice. Keep yourself out of the situation whenever possible. I have left the lake or stayed near the boat launch more than once because of the weather. This has also set the example for my boys (both are adults now). Practice taking the swells at an angle, riding the backside of the crest, turning around, dealing with the following sea, etc. Do this when the swells are well within your limits. Take the time on each trip to train when the opportunity presents itself. Properly maintain your boat, wear your life jacket and kill switch, have a plan for if you go overboard or get swamped.
20 year U.S. Coast Guard veteran, qualified small boat coxswain (MLB, UTB).

Good prop that gets up quick helps.

Go out on a day when it's pretty choppy but not enough to be dangerous. Spend an hour or two just cruising and seeing how your boat reacts and takes waves. Go head on, with them, 45 them, different angles, etc. Really learn your boat. Also, of your prop is to big or not right you will find yourself just bashing and bashing, slowing down each hit. A different prop can do wonders. Above all, when in doubt just idle fast enough to ride the waves and not get swamped or spear one. It took me a long time and I still don't like it but I trust my decisions when it gets rough. I've idled across rayburn before and will again I'm sure.

Thanks!

Slow down, no need to set any speed records in the rough stuff

Unless you get boats and equipment for free (or you are super rich), slow down. Your boat and equipment can take a beating in rough water, no need to tear it up.

I will let the wind dictate what lakes I fish at times. Texoma is a lot easier to handle in a south wind that north. Since I launch on south side my tolerance for a north wind is lower than a south wind. My great uncle taught me how to drive a boat in rough water. All he had was a 14' aluminum V hull. He ran trotlines on Lake Worth. 45 angle in to the wave is what he said. I was camping on an island on Buchannan once when the south wind cranked up with gusts to 40. Before cell phones so we had no idea how high it really was when on the island. Biggest mistake I ever made was loading boat up and trying to get back to Burnet County Park. Ramp faced due south so I had no idea what I was going to do when I got there if I got there. Once out in main lake there was no turning back. I rode 3 waves for a mile. Figured if I dropped off in the trough it was over. Got close to shore I beached the boat. Boat was a 18' Laser. Lasers were pretty low profile and not well put together. When on sure I watched a fairly large v hull bowrider about 4 miles out with binoculars. I was running east/west and completely disappeared in the troughs. Not sure how high the waves were but I am sure that some Buchannan regulars would. 16 miles of open lake and on the windward side.

One more thing , Make sure everything in your boat is in operating condition , do not want problems when you are triming up , bilge pumps running , hot foot depressed , etc . That goes for trailering in bad weather and changing road conditions . Been there and Done that .