A friend of mine told me today that he’s been waiting for the wind to lighten up so he could go catfishing in his boat, he then said, “If I wait on the wind, I’ll never get to fish”. Springtime in Texas is always windy and often the winds bring storms with them. Depending on the body of water you’re fishing and the direction of the wind, you could be in for a fight or in for the day. Wind can be a help or a hindrance, it will make you dance on the bow of your boat and give you a rough wet ride back to the dock.
Like anyone that has spent much time on the water, I have a zillion wind stories, stories of surviving it and stories of using it to find feeding fish.
Windy days are hard on your equipment, your boat, and your ability to maintain a good attitude. Frustrating to say the least, a backlash caused by an unexpected gust of wind, a swim in the lake caused from bumping a stump, or a dead trolling motor battery from running it full blast all morning can bring out a case of frustration and bad attitude.
My home lake was created with the dam on the south end of the impoundment, a south wind makes the north end hard to fish and a north wind makes the whole lake hard to fish. Whether it’s from north, south, east, or west the wind never seems to blow in the right direction. When the weather forecast is for a 10-mph wind from the north it’s probably at least 15-17 by the time it gets to the south, so knowing how to navigate safely to an out of the wind cove is usually your best bet. Of course, you’ll have a lot of company when you get there.
Safety should be your foremost concern for you and your passengers. Learning how tac in the wind, trusting your boat in rough waters, making sure your boat is in tip top running condition and requiring that everyone wear a PFD when the big motor is running is just the start. Leave an itinerary with someone on shore, even if it’s a fishing buddy, “We’re going to Caney Creek”, could easily save your life if you are unable to return or communicate after an incident.
Know your lake hazards, 80% of the trees were left in place when Lake Fork was built and they’re still under the water line. The adage “Out of sight Out of mind” gets many people in big trouble when navigating unfamiliar waters. So, when in doubt, slow down and be cautious.
Be aware of the weather. How many times have I gone out on a calm morning only to be faced with a crushing wind to get back? I’ve watched thunderstorms pass me on one side only to blow around and on top of me 10 minutes later. Lightening is your worst enemy on the water, don’t hesitate to beach your boat and seek shelter. Many empty boat houses or boat slips have sheltered me during storms.