I'm fairly new to boating and have little experience dealing with wind on the lake. What advice would y'all offer to help newbies in judging and handling higher winds? The boat I'm using is a 17'7" Bass Tracker aluminum hull.
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I'm fairly new to boating and have little experience dealing with wind on the lake. What advice would y'all offer to help newbies in judging and handling higher winds? The boat I'm using is a 17'7" Bass Tracker aluminum hull.
My personal rule is....if the wind is greater than 10-12 mph....I put my boat back on the trailer. My boat can handle the wind but I can't lol.
So far my only experience with wind was the time a fast moving thunderstorm caught my brother-in-law and me on Millwood Lake in a 14 foot jon boat. Do not intend to ever let that happen again!
Wind is very dangerous.....of course, make sure everyone has a life jacket on....if you find yourself in a situation where you have to go thru it to get back to the landing, approach the waves at an angle and use a zig zag pattern to get back....go slow and never go head on into the waves or parallel to them....if it is just too dangerous, there are two options, wait the wind out in a cove or a safe place or get to the nearest launch and motor back to get your vehicle...many guys are willing to help fellow fishermen out this way..so, it pays to learn where all the launches are in the area you are fishing.....if you feel unsafe, you probably are....just don't risk it....like "G" said, get a wind report before you go....download a weather app on your cell phone and check it often....it has saved me several times from getting slammed by a fast moving storm....
Thanks for the advice. I do have a couple of weather apps on my i-phone and tend to err on the side of caution.
Much better to be at home wishing you were on the lake, than to be on the lake wishing you were home.
Good advice from all so far... but I would add that you should never anchor in high wind conditions (high waves) in open water for any reason... and certainly not from the back or either side of the boat.
I am like "G", I don't like fishing in windy conditions. The wind turns fishing into work. So, when the wind get to about 10-12 mph I pack it in until another day. Fishing is supposed to be fun. If I am not having fun because I am having to fight the wind instead of a fish, I might as well be at the house doing something constructive.
A slave to the Master, Brother Lavelle Spillers.
A lot depends on the rig you are in too. I fish in some pretty winding conditions but out of a 20 foot glass rig too. I personally do everything in my power to avoid bad, 2 foot or better swells, conditions by checking the forecast and using the appropriate ramp and area of the lake that will be less likely to get bad. Does it always work, nope but it helps a lot of the time. Has made me learn different areas of the lakes as well which is a good thing. Use your head and don't second guess yourself . If your gut says put it on the bank then do it, life is too precious.
Just avoid the big water. I'll still go in the spring with wind gust at 20+.
I will however plan where I'm fishing and where to launch from on wind and wave direction.
Ditto what Bruce said (prefers shiners). When on big water, it can get serious - fast. I have battled serious winds that came up on Toledo Bend quickly, to the point that I couldn't see over the swells in the water. Only because I was catching at a certain spot and wasn't ready to leave. Ignorant looking back at it, learned to respect that lake. I use this app:
Wind, waves & weather forecast Toledo Bend Reservoir - Windfinder
Be very careful, if you are unsure - don't do it.
Ditto what Rees Guide said.....I love my 19 ft glass boat for big lakes or going far, but 98% of my fishing I could do in a 16 ft aluminum.....like this area....which is what most of south Louisiana (crappie fishing) looks like.....
Attachment 172254
Thanks for the weather link, Randy. That's the best wind info that I've seen.
Yeah, wind isn't going to be the big problem there. Just need to be alert for thunderstorms.Quote:
Originally Posted by prefers shiners
I fish canals off of lake verret, so you cross a pretty big lake to reach isolated canals, far off of the lake on the other side.
those canals have pretty tall and thick trees which will block much of the wind while you're fishing.
If the catch is good and you're not fighting wind in you're face, you can get a false sense of security.
If you fish areas like this, pay attention to the tree tops, look up every now and then.
If the tree tops are swaying back and forth, it's a good sign of what's happening on the lake.
Some times it's tempting to stay late in the afternoon.
If the wind is blowing, give yourself time to get back safely to the launch.
Sometimes the wind can push a lilly patch into a canal and block you in....carry a big paddle...
My one rule of thumb "always check on the weather forecast and the radar before leaving". Don't depend on what the weatherman said on the evening news the night before. Most times the day starts off with little or no wind but the wind can and usually builds as the day warms. I always check to see what the highest winds that are predicted by mid day. Also as others have stated always be aware of thunderstorms which can whip a calm lake into a frenzy in a matter of minutes. If you have a smart phone make sure you have a weather app that shows you the radar of the area, that is if you have reception at your location. Sometimes when fishing the boonies the phones don't work so well. Better safe than sorry. I've passed up many a fishing trip because of iffy situations.
"gene"
Thanks for all your replies. Good advice for all.
Learn the area you fish and pay attention to the predicted wind direction. If you are on the leeward side with a bluff or forest it's better than the windward side. Open marsh offers little protection except in real close. You learn by going as you say with "caution". Summer squalls are a whole different thing. Always fish with an exit plan as PS advised.Quote:
Originally Posted by RMGeorge
Years ago I fished Lake Erie 80 - 100 days a year, I will never forget the weather radio announcing a storm approaching at 30mph we were ~150 miles away so figured another couple hours fishing before heading in, Fish were starting to really bite and we were having a blast. about 30 minutes later my buddy said, holy S#&t we better leave. I turned around and 1/2 mile away was the leading edge of the storm which was best decribed as a white wall moving towards us.
Got lines in, poles locked and anchor pulled and WOT towards home. Not a chance, got caught in the most amzing amusement park ride ever invented. Thank heaven for a windshield and hardtop. Had to ride out the storm and keep from getting swamped. There was no way of trying to drive or outrun the storm. Learned my lesson in 20 minutes. After the front blew past us, just some light rain and we followed it in.
After getting back to the marina, was questioned by the harbor master as there were 3 boats missing. We only saw one other boat and it headed north and west when leaving. Two days later I found out out that 1 of the missing boats made a run to canada and rode out the storm on the beach. The other 2 had to be rescued by coast guard.
Now we have a lot better warning systems but reaction is critical and just because its 200 miles away and moveing 25mph DOES not mean 8 hours till it hits you.
If you can see the bottom of the leaves either stay home or head to the dock. Next the the wind is blowing look at the leaves and you will see the bottoms are white.
Try this tip for handling wind. Old Fishin' Tipster Fishing tips and tricksQuote:
Originally Posted by RMGeorge
Thanks for that tip, and your website link. It's bookmarked now. The Intellicast Weather link has apparently changed since this article was written.
I have heard of drift socks, but never seen one used. Kinda like to try it.
Both the drift sock and the wind can be your friend but both can also turn on you. Be careful when using the sock that you're not using it in a stumpy area when there is a pretty good chop on the water. If it hangs up, it can sink your boat. You will have other days to fish when it's not bad windy unless you try to fish when it's too windy. I'm not suggesting you be afraid of the wind but it demands respect.