strong winds

[KenDammit]

what are some proven techniques and patterns in 20-30mph winds? For me, fishing a soft plastic in that is outta the question, just can't feel a thing...so whats something else that I could try. Got frustrated today and just called it quits around 11:30.

[bassguy2004]

We sometimes have the same type of fierce wind you're speaking of out here. Especially on Clear Lake where the wind whips up 3 and 4 foot swells. The only thing to do if you want to fish plastics, is use a heavier sinker to counteract the wind blowing your line and the up and down motion of the boat to be able to feel the bottom and stay in contact with the same, but with heavier sinker goes the subtly of the bait, this maybe the time where you would not peg the sinker. JMO

[betursweetbass]

I hate when that happens Seriously, I love to use soft plastics, and I consider myself a fairly good finesse fisherman, but when the winds kick up so does my temper. I have not found a good counter measure, other than to seek shelter in whatever means possible. I have tried going to 1/2 ounce spinner baits, but that usually doesn't produce any fish. One thing that has worked for me on ocassion is to go with a short, and I mean short, carolina rig, with a 1/2 ounce to 3/4 ounce mojo sinker. I try to keep the leader short, like around 15 inches or less. Using braided line may also be helpful in wind as well.
Maybe some of the ohter guys will have some good tips for you too. Good Luck

[nb1226]

When the winds kick up for me I put the trolling motor on high and fish the windward shores with a crank bait, lipless and lipped. I usually start with the lipless and put up as close to the bank as I can and bring it back. I also try to find places where bait fish would be pushed up against. I usually fair pretty well with that

[RatLTrap]

I hate fishing in the wind. I am a jig fisherman, so maybe thats why.

But when the wind does get up, sometimes I try a big big spinner bait.

[rrw4258]

ill second what nb1226 said, and also i have good luck with 1/2 oz. rattle traps and 5/8oz. Yo-Zuri Vibrator!

Ryan

[zooker]

well fishing in wind takes getting use to.first one must learn the windage the trick is putting the bait where you want it by casting 30+ feet up wind. also as lizard will tell you i use a bright green high vis mono line. when you have a 60 foot loop of line between you and where your line enters the water you really need to be able to see the slightest movement of the line.
try a heavier bullet weight 1/4-3/8 oz. a low loop cast that keeps the bait less than a foot off the water keeps it flying straight but watch your line loop near docks as they will catch on the cleats..

zooker

[JB]

I always throw a heavy spinnerbait in winds of 20+
if theres grass I choose hammered crome willow leafs
if overcast I get a 3/4 with a bigger willow and gold indiana blade

[bass kicker]

i agree with jb spinners are best for high winds IMO

[Rebbasser]

Yep-a lipless crankbait or a spinnerbait.

[JB]

Reb,
we had 77 degrees and 42mph winds today, I'm not sure any trolling motor can keep it on "warp speed" for very long on days like this lol

[Rebbasser]

JB, that's why I keep a drift anchor in the boat, but 42 MPH is a bit much. Zooker is the only person I know who would brave that .

[KenDammit]

Originally Posted by JB

Reb,
we had 77 degrees and 42mph winds today, I'm not sure any trolling motor can keep it on "warp speed" for very long on days like this lol

thats about the same kind of weather we had here...the winds ranged anywhere from 20-35 mph all day today.

zook man, that line loop is what just drives me crazy. Using flouro or in the case of my spinning reel, 10# red cast...its hard as hell to see.


I guess I was too frustrated to even think about using a spinnerbait today..I was having a hard enough time staying in place. I did learn something that might be good for the future....I took the skirt off a small buzzbait and put a horny toad on. It looked good...the frog swimming, the blade buzzing. Its a bit of a redundant thing, but I think it just might work.(Also gives away why high winds are a killer for me...I love frogs!)

[Curado]

When the wind gets up above 20 mph a spinnerbait has been killer for me.

[lizardsrule]

I still use plastics, just casting to precise locations can be a lot harder. I will always lift the rod slowly to see if there is weight or a heavy feeling on the line before making any twitches or jerks. If I feel anything other than the bait moving easily, then I set the hook, not sure if I had/have a bite, but hooksets are free, and I've caught quite a few not nowing I had a bite, but wasn't taking any chances. The heavier weight works, but I prefer the bait to fall slower, and yes zooker uses high visibility line. The c-rig is also a good choice. But as stated, fishing the wind takes a little getting used to. I've quit fishing more due to wind than any other mother nature item she throws at me. For me it's more of a fight with boat positioning than anything else. If I'm fishing the heavy wind side, I do use cranks a lot more often.

Lizards

[imege8]

spinner baits, hammer the the shorline right where the lake drops. this usually holds the warmest water, youll find the bass there.