Dealing with windy conditions

Looks like the next couple of days are set to be cool and windy. These conditions can require a slight change in tactics when fishing.

One option is to hang in sheltered bays, focusing on active fish in the shallows. You can apply the same principle to boat control inside of points or on the downwind side of islands to stay out of the wind. If you take this approach, remember one area that might ahve a bunch of active fish is where the wind is blowing around the structural element. Hang back out of the wind, but cast out to where the water is moving, you might be suprised.

If you feel the need to fish in an open area when its windy, traditional spinning rod/plastics approaches can be tough to fish effectively. This is when I turn to three different baits.

1.)Lipless crankbaits, especially 1/2 ounce rattletraps. You can cast them a country mile, even into the wind, and they'll stay true on the retrieve.

2.)Spinnerbaits, conditions like these were designed for the spinnerbait. The chop on the water breaks up the profile of the bait, forcing reaction strikes from hungry fish.

3.)Deep diving crankbaits. How deep is relative to the season. Right now I'd focus on 8-12 feet of water right now (first big break). Pick a crank that will run 12-15 foot deep, and cast away. Windy points were made for this kind of fishing.

As for live bait fishing, stick to tight lining vertically or jigging with braided line until things settle down a bit. I like to anchor on the upwind side of structure and turn my back into the wind.

Got some questions or if you're heading out this weekend, I'll be at the shop Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Good Luck out there....
CT