I fish from a 19' Xpress with an 80# trolling motor and in wind keep it on a 4-5. On a 5 minor adjustments in direction will throw passengers out of the boat unless you forewarn them. That being said any aluminum boat I have fished in/from is light and the wind will impact more so than a glass boat. No you will be relegated to keeping a foot on the control in wind. Using your outboard as a rudder of sorts can help if your boat orientation to the wind is maintained.

The construction of aluminum boats makes them more prone to wind when sitting still too. Gunnels are typically higher and catch more wind so boat orientation to the prevailing wind becomes a big factor.

If I want to fish an area that is wind blown like a point or shoreline I'll use the engine to drive upwind and drift with a wind sock (or 2) and make small corrections with the trolling motor. Also utilized 2 anchors - 1 bow; 1 stern for slower drift rate or to hold in a spot. Much less expensive than a spot lock and in 16' depth Power Poles or Talons do you no good. Before that technology was available I knew guys who mounted 2 Anchor Mates on the stern and employed them the same way modern day Power Poles are utilized. More work than pushing a button but effective.

Lavon can be brutal in a north or south wind, but particularly a north wind.
Safety first, especially if fishing with a 9yo. You both need life jackets on at all times.
If you have any doubts or concerns about the weather conditions, don't launch the boat.

Easier solutions:

1. Launch at Mallard Park and just fish that creek arm. That creek arm runs East/West and has areas of good protection from a north or south wind. The ramp has good protection from a south wind.

2. Fish smaller lakes, seek out those that run East/West. Some of these may be trolling motor only.

Thank you all. I'll be back with more questions.

We've been to Lavon 3 times now. Stayed in the same main area launching from Lavonia. But doesn't seem to be a lot of protection from wind there.

Thanks. More new guy questions coming soon.

If you can't spend 3000 bucks on a tm I got the powerdive with spot lock for 1200. Works great for my big tin rig.

I have a 19’ model, put an Xi5 80lb.on it and this will solve any wind issues you might have. Will hold you in 15-20 mph breeze. These boats do catch the wind! It’s a game changer, pull up on your spot and engage spot lock and fish without having to run/fight theTM.

That’s right!

I had a Bass Tracker... used to let the hull fill with some water before I backed it off the trailer. The extra weight helped a little bit on windy days.

This! The new trolling motors with the Spot Lock feature is worth its weight in gold.

If you want to anchor you will need a 15# mushroom anchor and prepare to have at least 3X rope length of the depth of water you are fishing otherwise the angle on the rope will be too vertical to hold you even in a 10 mph wind. You can buy a 10# anchor and an inexpensive clip to clip it to the rope to add it to the 5# anchor. A 5# anchor by itself is adequate for a kayak.

If this is your first boat, I might add point the nose of the boat into the wind. Much easier to control IMO.

I've watched some video's on the ultrex.

Looks like we will be owning one soon.

Need to research how to add another battery, we are setup on 12v now.

The 24Volt 80# Ultrex will be way more than enough on your boat. It will be life-changing for your fishing trips.

Been fishing out of tin cans forever.

Anchor.

Another option on many areas of Lavon is to tie up or clip up to existing timber and fish the timber vertically.

I have fished out of small aluminum boats all my life. You have to learn how to manage your boat (any boat) in the wind, this only comes from experience. Pay attention to what the wind does to you, keep the bow into the wind as much as possible when using the trolling motor--practice. As for retying a lure, learn how to do it from the bow seat while maintaining your position with the trolling motor. Again--experience. The most important advice I can offer is to know your limits as well as the boats limits. This goes for any boat regardless of size or construction. Be careful out there, keep your situational awareness, and wear you life jacket.