WIND?

[JK12]

I am a newbie to saltwater fishing (just in time for the oil to ruin it.) I was curious as to what role the wind played in catching fish? I hear a lot about the certain wind directions making it better and/or worse fishing in certain areas. I was curious how the wind played a factor on where fish were. Also, how does the tide factor in the success rate?

[Branch_Office]

I am sure you will get some more answers but in the meantime...wind will determine where you go, how far you might paddle and also if there is any water in certain spots to be able to fish or also which bank you might target fish just to give you a few points. The tide will also play into that factor as well... working with or against the wind to hold water in spots, fish bite better generally on a moving tide and depending on where you are or what spots you might target - a rising tide or falling tide. No tide generally is not too good. But sometimes you just gotta fish when you can go and time allows so all of the above really does not matter in that case lol. In that case then the weather might be the only deciding factor.

[snake doctor]

I have tried to figure out these very questions. After integrating tide tables, temperatures, barometric pressures, and wind directions for several months I finally gave up. I often went to some bayou or canal expecting one set of conditions and got something entirely different. The weather person often goofs up the wind forecast, usually underestimating it by 10 mph and frequently misses on the direction too. For me, the main issue has been how wind and tide affect water clarity and the depth of water in the marsh. If the water is muddy then I typically have trouble catching anything on artificial lures - so I will spring for live cocahoes, shrimp or market bait in this case. I usually don't have the luxury of timing the best fishing conditions to coincide with the trip, so I just go when I can and enjoy it. Go when you get the chance, and if you can find some clean moving water then all the better.

[papawd]

old men at the camp used to say "wind from the east fishin the least, wind from the west fishin the best" of course our camps were in Port Sulphur and Bayou cook the later is gone now but it was close to Bay Adams

[revredfish]

There are spots I fish only on a north wind and light tide movement - I'm counting on the wind to move the water for me. You almost always need moving water, so sometimes the wind can be your friend.

Often it is not

[Yak-a-Lou]

I don't try to make a science of it but there are a few things I keep in mind while planning and during the morning of a trip.

Clean, moving water is almost always the best bet.

A light wind (up to about 10 mph) can make the rougher shore the best shore to fish. Bait can be blown up against the shore. In stronger winds I'll fish the lee shore just because it's too rough on the other side.

On slack tide days that have a wind forecast of over 10 miles per hour you can water moving through narrow cuts on the downwind side of bays and larger ponds. The secret is to launch where you have to paddle into the wind in the morning so that in the afternoon, when you boat is loaded down with 75 lbs. of trout and 35 lbs of redfish the wind will help push you back to the launch. ;)

Then you can follow what Grandpa said: "The best time to fish is... when you can."

[yak-aholic]

Then you can follow what Grandpa said: "The best time to fish is... when you can."

That's my general rule... and hope to find clear moving water.

[Yellow Submarine]

Remember to cast in the same direction as you pee in. The only time you face upwind is when you fart. I like the Grandpa rule too.

[Mung]

sometimes the wind can be your friend.

Often it is not

Except when the bugs are flying...

[Psycho Joe]

The secret is to launch where you have to paddle into the wind in the morning so that in the afternoon, when you boat is loaded down with 75 lbs. of trout and 35 lbs of redfish the wind will help push you back to the launch. ;)

"

My problem is the wind always seems to change direction on me and I get a workout ALL DAY LONG!

[Yak-a-Lou]

My problem is the wind always seems to change direction on me and I get a workout ALL DAY LONG!

LOL! Ditto that!!! Seems it never fails.

[JK12]

HA HA!!! thanks for the advice guys.

[Surfmonkey]

Wind from the WEST....stay away from Pontchartrain...

[Choupique]

As long as you have clean water don’t worry about the wind. Wind can push bait up against a shoreline, can create tides when there otherwise wouldn’t be one, wind keeps the bugs away, and helps you drift a shoreline. The wind is your friend!

[yak-aholic]

The wind is your friend!

Unless it's 25+mph and blowing you away with the gnats. Not saying I'd let it keep me off the water.

[MDR]

Remember to cast in the same direction as you pee in. The only time you face upwind is when you fart. I like the Grandpa rule too.

+1

[swamppro]

Wind I do not worry about too much as you just need to remember where to get out of it if need be. It works to your advantages in many ways though.
1. bugs are non existant
2. moves water even in no tide
3. moves baitfish
4. great to work shorelines

Some people think you have to work a shoreline where the wind is not distubing the water. You would be surprised if you fish the other side sometimes. Anchor away from it and fish the torn up water. The bait fish are moving all over and usually reds are in it getting fat. I also like having the wind to use my rudder to fish shorelines. Just drift a a bank and fish the cuts. I want to stop a sec, drop the stinger then pick up and move on.

I more watch pressure than the wind. Low pressure I am itching to hit the water. If a storms coming I am ready. Some of my best fishing is right after a rain storm came through or right before. Last weekend when we got stormed on for about 45min not soon after it stopped tails popped up and they were crashing everything in sight. The trout were hitting shad so much we had them floating up dead and injured still dying next to our kayaks.

[Fishnted]

Clear water and a moving tide is the best and sometimes you may stay out on the water a very long time before you find the right conditions. Ive caught fish on moving tides and not moving tides.How much work do you want to do to catch fish?