Yesterday the weather report never forecast a white-cap, 20 mph wind shielded by only one shallow-flat shoreline. It's a pain to anchor-up and -down constantly especially in weeds that wrap around the anchor adding weight to it. After 2.5 hours and 20 fish I'd had it and especially after casting against the wind with my 1/16 oz jig/ lure and getting a few wind knots?!!!
Today not much better.
we don't really have a limit on wind here , it is decided by other factors most of the time , how bad do you want to ketch is often the key factor that has the most play and then what spots have the best shelter from it as well .
Depending on what lake and wind direction for me. Couple area lakes it’s ten mph winds as there aren’t any coves to get out of the wind but I have one lake that I can fish in twenty if I choose too. Lots of area out of the wind with sunken brush and blowdowns.
I sink brush in sheltered coves just to beat the beat down , prevailing here is south winds and I got some spots that are lay down calm in 25 mph wind .....there is a method to the madnessQuote:
Originally Posted by chaunc
If it is spraying over the front of the boat while on the trolling motor. I am headed home
My max is 15 although 10 will run me off as well if I can’t get out of it
At least in a 10 to maybe a 15 mph wind I can keep the t.m. in reverse and slowly drift-fish sections. I did that last week, caught fish and then went back to the original spot just outside the weeds and drift/fished again. Gusts to 20 mph - no chance.
Whenever the trolling motor won't stay in the water- usually 18-20 mph
Whatever the wind speed is when it starts to annoy me, sometimes don't take much!
Going tonight forcast is calling for 9 to 10 mph. If it was higher I probably would not go.
whenever flags are flying fully extended, I'm out
Around here we have 3 sizes of flags/windsocks:Quote:
Originally Posted by ecoast
15 mph
30 mph
log chain
Below 15 is the same as zero and log chain and above is too much no matter where you try to hide.
I will cancel guide trips if 15mph winds are forecast during a trip. KY Lake has been known to generate 6 foot waves. Been there, done that, got the T shirt.
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On those days I go to where l know l can catch fish out of the wind and keep my hat from blowing off which is usually somewhere on the river and not Santee Cooper lower lake Moultrie.
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I won’t leave the house if it’s over 15 mph. I’ll leave the lake if it gets up to 10. My pontoon is like a sailboat.
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I see why you have such a big boat!!Quote:
Originally Posted by M R Dux
We have not had so much wind in my area since 1942. I have really been limited this year due to my 14 footer is not really good when the wind gets above 12mph. I am headed out early in the morning and it suppose to be 6 mph. I guess we will see.
Ditto. One lake I fish won't let you on above a certain wind speed. I got caught on it one day in a storm. In the trough of a wave I couldn't see above the next one. Took one over the bow that killed the big motor. Ended up with about a 50/50 mix of water and fuel in the onboard fuel tank.Quote:
Originally Posted by KMack
20 isn't anything for me to be out. If I only fished days the wind was 5 to 10 or less I'd get to fish 5 days a year.
I fish from a kayak and about 15 is all I want. But it also depends on how well the fish are biting….:Rofl
My kayak doesn't like whitecaps & I like them even less. I take advantage of the wind by pulling crankbaits running with the wind if I can. Paddling back upwind along a sheltered bank is the only way I can make it happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave336
Jim
If I was still paddling I wouldn’t want hardly any wind but with the Native Titan pedal kayak it’s not as bad.
I look at the wind patterns on the water, with the boats I’ve had in the past. You get the swell, then the chop, then the riffle between the chop. That’s when I go home. Usually tried to hang some but boat control is just stupid and inconsistent. A few small whitecaps could be tolerated but if it’s still building, it’s time to go before you can’t go. Now I have a low sided 16’ Jon boat and don’t think I’ll be going with what I just stated. I’ve been in enough sporty water to respect it and not push my luck. One of the upgrades I did on my new to me Jon was a layer of closed cell foam under the floor. Hope I never need it. Also put a bilge pump in. I chose an 1100 gph with a bigger hose than most use. I’ve been caught in a hard rain that left me standing in ankle deep water after just a few minutes. That was in a 16’ Lund and I didn’t have a bilge pump. Yet. My point is to think ahead as to what you consider your limits to be. I’ve been lucky…….
If you want to fish any amount at all up here you got learn to deal with some wind....or sell your boat and take up knitting...Walleye chop;)Attachment 429685
Be kinda hard to feel light strikes!:dono
Now that’s my type of waves. 25 mph I can handle don’t like it but I can fish in it. It all depends upon the size of the lake and direction the wind is blowing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Central Minn
Lol,Rapala ULC3 crank baits that day...Quote:
Originally Posted by Spoonminnow
...Besides, how do you concentrate on fighting a fish while at the same time trying not to fall overboard!
The bigger the lake, the bigger the effect.
I usually target less than 12mph. If calling for more than that in my timeframe, I usually don’t unload.
Not necessarily that I couldn’t, I just prefer to do things I really enjoy.
Fighting wind in an aluminum bass boat is not something that is enjoyable, to me.
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When the boat starts crabbing and tangling lines from amidships it’s past time to go.
I fish a lot by myself. I can usually get out of the wind, to fish, but not everytime. I got a boat that can can handle rough water, I don't have the ability anymore to load it with high winds at the ramp. Got to tie it up and go get the truck. Then try to get it on the trailer. That's where the major problem is for me in high wind conditions.
Its a bigger deep v, the gunnels are pretty tall to lean up against with your legs.Attachment 429807Quote:
Originally Posted by Spoonminnow
Did the same thing when I built my 18' Mod V. Put closed cell foam in between the ribs then put an aluminum floor over top of that, along with the bilge pump and 1 1/8 line.Quote:
Originally Posted by skeetbum
That is a nice boat central minn !! I bet that does handle the wind & rough water.
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Im a Deep V guy as well. I dont have to look forward to taking spray in the face like I did in other boats.Attachment 429809
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I usually don't plan on going in 20+
we love spray and white caps when it hits 100 here in Texas, sure makes for a pleasant boat ride when it's about stupid hot and windy , just sayingQuote:
Originally Posted by zummy