Full Answer
How much wind is too much wind for fishing?
Any wind speed at 39 mph or over is easily capable of capsizing smaller boats. Therefore, if you are seeing very strong winds, it’s probably best to stay off the water altogether. If you have a smaller boat, fishing in wind speeds in excess of 20 mph is not recommended.
How does wind affect fishing bites?
If there is a strong easterly wind combined with falling barometric pressure, you probably aren’t going to get many bites. The bottom line is that fish will usually bite the least when the wind is coming from the east. East is least and west is best.
Do fish like wind?
Fish do tend to like wind due to what we discussed above, in terms of it blowing baitfish through the water, blowing food from the shore, and affecting currents. Wind usually causes a good deal of surface agitation as well, which brings fish closer to the surface to feed.
Which direction should you fish when the wind is blowing?
When you are fishing on a lake or any such body of water, watch out for wind that is blowing towards the shoreline. When the wind is blowing at a decent speed, it can be beneficial to fish along the shoreline which the wind is blowing towards.
How does wind affect fishing?
So, how does wind direction affect fishing? Well, wind can blow baitfish through the water to windswept shorelines, it can blow food off the shore and into the water, and it can create currents that fish usually like to swim against . Let’s take a closer look at this relation between fishing and wind direction.
What affects the direction of the wind when fishing?
Anchoring. Another affect which wind direction will have on your day of fishing has to do with anchoring your boat. Simply put, that strong wind, combined with strong water currents, is going to push that little boat around in the water. Therefore, you definitely need a good anchor to keep your boat in place as you fish, ...
Why do fish like wind?
Fish do tend to like wind due to what we discussed above, in terms of it blowing baitfish through the water, blowing food from the shore, and affecting currents. Wind usually causes a good deal of surface agitation as well, which brings fish closer to the surface to feed.
When fishing on a lake or any such body of water, what should you do?
When you are fishing on a lake or any such body of water, watch out for wind that is blowing towards the shoreline. When the wind is blowing at a decent speed, it can be beneficial to fish along the shoreline which the wind is blowing towards.
What is the best wind speed for fishing?
One of the most important things to keep in mind here is that strong winds will cause dangerous fishing conditions. Any wind speed at 39 mph or over is easily capable of capsizing smaller boats. Therefore, if you are seeing very strong winds, it’s probably best to stay off the water altogether.
Why do fish stomachs shrink?
When wind is coming from the east, and the barometer is decreasing, this decrease in air pressure can cause fish stomachs to shrink in size, not by much, but by enough to make a difference in terms of their will and need to hunt and eat.
Why do fish like to swim against the current?
The reason for this is because it is a lot easier for fish to maneuver when they are swimming against the current rather than with it.
WIGuide
I'd be guessing my threshold is higher than most. There aren't very many days I've decided not to go because of wind. I've fished in 30+ plenty of times. The lakes around here aren't huge though so that helps.
NHBull
It depends.....I run a Lund Impact which is more of a multi-species boat. It is tough with the wind in open areas.
gimruis
I have a Ranger RT178 (modified v hull) and anything over 15 mph if I'm on a sizable lake is just not much fun. I can almost always find a secluded area that is at least somewhat out of the wind but getting to it from the access usually requires traveling across waves I don't care to.
Bird
I'm an extremely laid back person who can tolerate the most belligerent types of people and circumstances in stride.
FryDog62
Over 15 mph I choose my battles, 20+ I just don’t go. Best place to fish on a windy day is a river. Higher banks and protected water helps...
Tennessee Boy
There are a lot of factors that determine how rough the water gets. I look at the predicted wind velocity and direction and then look at the map. The more distance the wind has to blow across the water, the bigger the waves. I fish winding river reservoirs so there's almost always sheltered places to fish if I launch in the right place.
Log Catcher
Anything over 15MPH and I stay home. I have an older model Bass Tracker 175. Dealing with an aluminum boat and fish in strong wind is no fun for me.
amishnightmare88
I dont know about any others out there but when its windy, fishing is the last thing i want to do simply because, well, it sucks and i never catch fish. like today, with wind gusts up to 30-40mph. thats a little stupid lol.
J Francho
It's too windy to fish once it becomes dangerous. Otherwise go for it. Boat control can get frustrating, but the rewards can be worth the aggrivation. In my experience #'s may drop but the quality of the fish increases.
tholmes
It CAN get too windy to fish bottom contact baits, and casting can become an issue, but I've
Bob C
The wind will push plankton towards shore and the bait fish follow as the gams fish follow in the parade. I fish unless it is dangerous either from just the waves of from being pushed to close to shore, reefs or rocks.
A-Jay
I fish smaller bodies of water but I do it from a canoe, so I'm off the water before most.
Bluebasser86
Favorite Lake or River Kansas:Largemouth-La Cygne, Smallmouth-Milford, Spots-Wilson State Lake. Missouri:Largemouth-Hazel Creek Lake, Smallmouth-Elk River, Spots-Table Rock
Raider Nation Fisher
Favorite Lake or River My work ponds. Lake Logan Martin, Lake Purdy, Lake Martin