You Have a Choice: Whine About "It," or Fight "It" and Probably Win

"The pessimist complains about 'it'; the optimist expects 'it' to change; the realist adjusts the sails."

In case you haven't figured out what the 'it' is in the title and this quote of writer William Arthur Ward, I'll spare you the research. "It" refers to "the wind," which, with another spring coming, is sure to be present in abundance.

Fisheries biologists see wind as a friend, but the average angler? Usually, not so much, especially weekend warriors who have only limited opportunities.

As Don Wirth once wrote in an issue of Bassmaster, "We bass fishermen usually grumble expletives when a stiff breeze blows... . It's a royal pain in the butt to us bassers when our reels are backlashing, and our trolling motors are sucking air."

Wirth went on to note that "BASS pros, on the other hand, know that wind can create some extraordinary fishing opportunities, and they have devised strategies for using it to their advantage."

One pro who certainly subscribes to that philosophy is Jimmy Houston. "Too many times," he said, "fishermen go to the lake and find it covered in rolling waves, or at least a strong wind that makes it uncomfortable to be on the water. They subsequently pack up their gear and head back home to watch fishing shows on TV...and grumble all day long.

"This is really ridiculous," Houston continued. "They are walking away from some very good fishing--I mean, some really GOOD fishing."

You also have some anglers who, while not ready to pack up and go home, really struggle with a windy day. They're ever so sorely tempted just to drift back into the calmer coves and creek arms, where boat control and casting are much easier.

I even read about one angler who admitted to frequently giving in to this temptation. Sometimes in doing so, as he explained, "I stumble onto a new spot I've never fished before...that actually has some fish. That's all well and good," he acknowledged. "However, the better fishing, I know, is always on the windward side of the lake or reservoir."

Here's how Bassmaster Elite Series pro Dustin Wilks explained the "friendship" factor between you and the wind. Incidentally, he has a college degree in fisheries biology. In his words, "The wind sets up a food-chain scenario that's triggered by reduced solar penetration.

"Phytoplankton, or microscopic plant-like organisms in the water, as they're known," said Wilks, "need sunlight for photosynthesis. When the wind creates waves, solar penetration is reduced, causing these microscopic organisms to rise closer to the surface. Zooplankton, or microscopic invertebrate animals, in turn rise to feed on the phytoplankton. Soon baitfish move in to eat the plankton, which attracts top-line predators, including bass. This is a major reason for fishing a bank, point or other structure that the wind is hitting."

Wind also is your friend in that it hides imperfections in your lures and presentations. One thing it doesn't do, though, as Wilks emphasized, is blow baitfish around. "This is one of the most prevalent misconceptions in bass fishing," he said.

Added Bassmaster Open pro Chris Noffsinger, "The wind brings bass that were holding deep into shallower areas, where they're much easier to catch. It also oxygenates the water, which energizes the fish."

Both Wilks and Noffsinger know it takes a seaworthy boat and a powerful trolling motor to handle strong winds. That's why Wilks fishes from a 20-foot Skeeter, and Noffsinger from a 21-foot Tracker Tundra walleye boat. Both pros' rigs are equipped with a 36-volt Minn Kota trolling motor that puts out 101 pounds of thrust. In addition, Wilks' trolling motor has a 50-inch shaft, while Noffsinger's is a whopping 60 inches long (to handle the big waves in Lake Michigan, where he guides).

Neither Wilks, nor Noffsinger, use a traditional lead anchor in deep water, but both occasionally employ drift socks to slow their boats in high winds. "I use drift socks," said Wilks, "when fishing big, weedy flats on windblown Florida lakes. Otherwise, I'd have to keep my trolling motor on high 36 to control my drift, which would put every bass in the area on red alert."

One other piece of equipment used by some bass pros to control the wind is what's called a Power-Pole drift paddle.

This accessory, according to FLW Tour pro Kurt Dove, "works great, is easy to install, and can be adjusted on the fly to slow your drift in current. Just the Power-Poles alone can help a lot...by deploying them part or all the way."

Dove went on to note that if you don't have Power-Poles or the drift paddle, and the current's not too strong, you can use your outboard to slow your drift and even adjust the direction of your drift somewhat. "Just trim the motor down--the stronger the wind, the more motor you want in the water--and turn your steering wheel to alter the direction you are being pushed," he said. "If you turn hard to the right, your boat will be pushed a little to the left, and vice versa."

A couple final pieces of advice for fishing windy days: Drop your rod tip, and use baits that stay in contact with the bottom.

"Remember," concluded Dove, "the wind is your friend...at least, most of the time. Just make sure you use it properly and adjust to the opportunities it presents. And if the wind gets to be too much, get off the water--right away!"