A Couple of Pros Sound Off About Windy-Day Success

"Anglers need to learn how to use wind to their advantage and not their detriment," said former Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones. "Wind is almost like wearing camouflage for fishing.

“Wind can also create visual camouflage to disguise anglers, lures, lines, boats, and associated equipment," he continued. "On calm days, fish can see shadows or outlines silhouetted against a bright sky. When these images fall on a placid surface in clear water, it can easily alarm wise lunkers. Winds rippling across the surface break up the outlines of lures and people in a form of natural camouflage.”

Four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam echoed those sentiments.

“I, too, like the wind to ripple the surface,” he noted. “When a fish looks up at the surface against the sun, it sees a mirror. I want wind action to break up that outline of the bait. A spinnerbait is a great lure to use on a windy day. I want to create the illusion that the spinnerbait is a real baitfish, so I use colors that blend in. With a spinnerbait, I like a natural shad pattern, as opposed to a pure white or chartreuse.

“Since sound waves travel long distances through water,” continued VanDam, “fish depend heavily upon vibrations to find food and avoid becoming a predator’s dinner. Spinnerbaits with large Colorado blades give off considerable vibrations to compete with the natural noise generated by wave action. The big blades also create significant flash that mimics baitfish, making spinnerbaits a top choice for fooling bass on a windy day.”

“As a general principle,” chimed in Jones, “if the wind is blowing 20 miles per hour or more, a spinnerbait fisherman is going to catch more bass in any season under any other conditions. The harder the wind blows, the better bass bite spinnerbaits. I like to run a spinnerbait as fast as possible along a steep rocky bank. I use a ½- or ¾-ounce willow-leaf spinnerbait because I want speed without lift. I like white and chartreuse, with double No. 4 and No. 3 gold willow-leaf blades. I reel fast and steady. When bass hit, they practically knock the rod out of my hands.

“Rattling crankbaits also can provoke vicious strikes when bass feed upon shad congregating on windward shorelines or driven past wind-swept points,” added Jones. “Fast-burning lipless crankbaits, such as Rat-L-Traps, can also produce excellent results, particularly for tempting schooling fish. Face the boat into the wind if possible and run baits with the current to mimic baitfish drifting with wind-driven water.”

“One of the most important things I learned a long time ago,” concluded VanDam, “is only to worry about the variables I can control. Don’t worry about the ones I can’t control. You can’t fight the weather. Do what the conditions allow you to do, and use those conditions to your advantage.”