Windy days... what is the best fishing strategy?

Well I sit here this morning unhappy and with a frown on my face. The weather forecast predicts 18, 19 and 16 mph winds for the next 3 days. I have really been enjoying the success of long line trolling but that method does not like windy days at all.

I remember that tight line vertical trolling was not affected as bad but didn't exactly like the wind either. My question is this... is there any "best" way to fish for Crappie when the winds get 12 mph and over or are we just better off to sit home and complain about not getting to go fishing?

Well, I'm not srue, but I'm in the same boat. I want to go to the lake right now, but I look outisde at the trees swaying and it's only going to get worse. I might just grab the big anchors and go for it in a while.

Hey Crappiegirl,
Try drifting,Ive done it sevral times.Just put the boat sideways to the wind and let her drift,when you get to the end,as fas as you can go just fire it up and go start over.you have to run all you rods out the upwind side of the boat.If you are drifting too fast you will have to attach a drift sock to your boat ,maybee two if its blowin real had.Just to try you can use 5gal buckets with holes drilled in em,look for instructins online for homemade drif socks.I did this on Jordan a couple of weeks ago and cauch fish.almost always you can find a creek in the right direction for the wind.this is real popular for catfishin lakes like santee but itll work for crappie too.Give it a try,beats sittin at home,.....Have a Crappy day!

crappiegirl he is right about the drift socks. I have two XX large for my 18 ft aluminum boat. It slows you to a crawl. If you have coves or pockets protected try them w/o the socks. With wind like this its usually a matter of just getting to a spot. We are getting ready to go down the roanoke for some striper action. Wow, am I glad I have no clients to guide today. Good luck. Bo

Nicole,
I've got a drift sock you can borrow if you want to try one out. I've never used it...it was part of some used gear I bought as a lot from a guy. I've been wanting to see how it works anyway.
Chris

I usually sit on the hill if it's blowing more that 10-15 but a time or two boredom has gotten the best of me and I've found that finding a structure the fish are holding to that is somewhat close to a bank with the wind at your back is the most comfortable way to fish in the wind. Just a cork and minner of course.

Critter's method works great, as long as the wind's not too bad. My 10 year old and I tried drifting with corks, and minnows in a long cove that was parallel with the wind, it worked great! We caught a lot of nice white perch and a couple crappie. I imagine it would work good with tightlining too.

On days like today...........I'd go trolling in my freezer. You never know what you gona get. How about a drum filet from November. It needs to be eat.;)

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Originally Posted by nccrappiegirl

Well I sit here this morning unhappy and with a frown on my face. The weather forecast predicts 18, 19 and 16 mph winds for the next 3 days. I have really been enjoying the success of long line trolling but that method does not like windy days at all.

I remember that tight line vertical trolling was not affected as bad but didn't exactly like the wind either. My question is this... is there any "best" way to fish for Crappie when the winds get 12 mph and over or are we just better off to sit home and complain about not getting to go fishing?

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Some times (when it's this bad) days are better enjoyed working on your tackle or boat. Just some thoughts from a guy that loves to fish.....but not in these uncomfortable conditions. We all need to get things back in shape. Windy days like this are good times for this. There are better days ahead.

12 mph is not so bad...25 to 30mph..find a good book. But....usually there is somewhere on a lake that offers some protection from the wind. Know your lake and wind directions...sometimes calm water is out there...for those who seek it.