windy days

[bucketmouth64]

Wondering what you all do to search for bass when the wind starts to kick up like it has been lately. Other than searching for calmer waters where are some other places to look for fish while in the wind? What tactics do you use?

[Skater13]

you can fish docks but you have to use a 1/2once jig

[st.crioxfishin]

If you can conrtol the boat so you are going into the wind I like to work a t-rigged ribbon tail worm on a deep break (the ones where you can see the sand shallow then it just gets black). I've had good luck doing that this summer.

I also like to throw spinner baits and hard jerkbaits up to the bank or parallel to the bank for reaction strikes--I've found that wind can turn on fish in certain situations.

Bob Downey

[Deitz Dittrich]

Another option is to burry your boat up in the heavy cover.. bullrushes, pads... ect.. they will slow your boat down so you can fish at a manageable speed... Fish will still bite when its windy.. some days even better....just a matter of getting them to see your bait and you being able to manage the wind yourself.

[BigMike]

I would second getting up into the thick stuff and fishing the pads, slop & reeds. This is a good summer/early fall tactic however with the weather starting to turn cooler, you may want to head to the backend of a bay to where the wind is pushing into shore and fish spinnerbaits & shallow cranks (baby 1 minus is great for these occasions). Often times baitfish will get pushed in by the rough waters and will be schooled along the wind beaten shorelines. Bass will follow after them, especially now as fall approaches. Topwater is tough in windy waters, but frog imitations will produce too in the back of wind beaten bays - especially if the wind is pushing water into the reeds & pads!

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Mike
TJ Tackle Pro-Staff

[MedicineMan]

I like to fish open water structure when its windy. I've caught some of my biggest Bass working points and islands when its windy. A 10-15 mph is a perfect wind. Just enough wind for chop but you're still able to control the boat. Once the wind gets 20 mph and up, I like to drift spots with spinner baits and crankbaits.

[bucketmouth64]

How do you all get into the real thick slop without scaring the fish? I can manage thru the reeds ok. It's the other heavy stuff that I have problems with. Do you use a push pole? If you do, what do you recommend. I have a bow mount motor guide, but it really doesn't do that well getting thru the thick slop without me constantly taking the weeds off that get wrapped around the prop and inside the prop.

[st.crioxfishin]

I use an oar to move around in the thick stuff(but I fish in a 12ft alumacraft with a 9.9, so its a little easier to move than a bass boat), as long as you can move somewhat quietly and slowly you will have a better chance of not scaring the fish.

Although, this is not always a surefire way to move throught the thick stuff--I've scared some nice bass out of the pads and rice this summer, it might be worth a try. You just cringe when you see those bass scattering and knowing that you had a chance at 'em.

I've also found that when its windy and your fishing clear water you will be less apt to scaring the fish out of the area, beacause they can't see you as well. When your fishing stained water you can literally catch them right underneath your boat. Just things I've found from my experiences.

Bob Downey

[Deitz Dittrich]

Bucketmouth-I have to admit, I dont use a push pole.. I probably should.. Please dont take this wrong, Moterguide makes a good trolling moter, but they arent 1/4 as weedless as a Minnkota. So thats part of your problem right there.

[bucketmouth64]

Exude, yes, you are correct about the motor. It wasn't my choice to have it. When I bought the boat it was part of the package and I didn't know much about MG at the time like I do now. Whenever the motor craps out I will put a Minn Kota on it. Just can't afford to go out and have it replaced when it still works.

Guys, thanks for all the responses.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I too bought a boat and it had a MG on it... I bought a Minnkota Maxxum and keep the MG as a back up... In my opinion, you cant afford not to replace it if it keeps you from fishing areas that you want to fish.... Think of how many days you have been frustrated trying to fish heavy weeds... That frustration is worth a lot of money.

[Dan Wood]

I like a heavier jig when the wind is howling... 3/8 - 3/4 oz. That or a 3/4-1.5 oz. spinnerbait.. Boat control is a big pain, but the fish don't mind if it is windy. I haven't seen bass respond to heavy wind as much as walleye and pike, but it sure doesn't seem to hurt any. It does concentrate baitfish, bugs, etc. as mentioned above. Fish the windy side if you can stand it for the most active fish. Anywhere that you have a spot for the wind to blow food into is good (it could be a reef or an island or a point). It doesn't need to be the windy side of the lake.

[BigMike]

Good clarification Dan - anywhere the wind is pushing up on (island, point, back of bays, reef, mid-lake humps/reeds, etc...) will concentrate the baitfish/bugs and the active fish will follow.

Thanks Dan.