Fishing from Shore in the Wind

Fishing from the shore can be a fantastic way to get outside and catch fish, but it can also be challenging, especially in windy conditions. 

Wind creates choppy water, makes casting difficult, plus affects the behavior of bass and other gamefish. When you take the time to prepare and use the right baits and techniques, you can still have a successful fishing trip when fishing from wind-blown shorelines. 

Here are several tips for fishing from the shore in windy conditions:

Check the wind direction and speed - Before you start your trip, take a moment to research the wind direction and speed including gusts. If the wind is blowing toward the shore, it can make casting difficult and your bait may not reach the fish unless you chose the right bait. If the wind is blowing away from the shore, it can help your bait reach further from shore and into deeper water thereby often increasing your chances of reaching less pressured fish.

Don't be afraid to cast into the wind - It may seem counterintuitive, but casting into the wind can actually help you catch more fish in windy conditions. When you cast into the wind, your bait will be moving more naturally with the wind-created current and be more attractive to fish. You can also use the wind to your advantage by casting slightly to the side of the wind, which will give your bait a slightly different drift angle and look to any bass it drifts by during the retrieve.

Use the right baits when casting into the wind - Using the right bait is important in all fishing conditions, but it's especially important in windy conditions. Focus your bait selection on heavier, compact style lures such as jigs, chatterbaits, spoons, and lipless crankbaits with smaller profiles that cast well into the wind. Fish may have a tougher time locating the bait in choppy water, so using a bait that's more visible to the fish or vibrates during retrieve can make all the difference in triggering strikes.

Use heavier weights - In windy conditions, it's important to use heavier weights when fishing Texas rigs, Carolina rigs or with any live bait to help keep your bait from drifting. The wind can can pull your line  causing your bait to move around abnormally. Using heavier weights will help anchor it in place and make it appear more natural to the fish.

Try fishing from the lee shore - When fishing from the lee shore, the wind blows from behind you rather than in your face. This allows you to use baits (larger profile or lighter lures) you could not fish when casting into the wind plus the bait is being retrieved against the current for a different "look" to the fish. I've personally had great success using larger profile spinnerbaits and lightly weighted wacky-rigged soft stickbaits when fishing with the wind at my back!

As always, be patient - Fishing in windy conditions can be frustrating, but it's important to be patient, try different baits/presentations and various retrieves to see what triggers the fish to bite. Don't give up too quickly and keep trying different techniques until you find what works best at that moment. If the wind is too strong, consider moving to a more sheltered spot where the wind might have less impact as you are trying to fish.

Many anglers avoid fishing windy conditions from the bank to avoid the hassles the wind can create. By using the tips provided above and with a little practice, you'll soon be catching fish even on the windy days you used to avoid!