We have been experiencing some very windy conditions lately. For most people this comes off as a bad thing, I can’t tell you how many customers or even friends that have backed out on a trip simply because “it’s too windy.” I personally love the wind, when fishing on windy days it definitely makes it very hard to fly, or sight fish, but staying tucked up in tight coves or residential canals, the opportunity to catch still exists. My favorite way to fish the wind hands down is by using it to my advantage.

First things first, safety always takes priority, so no matter how big or small your vessel is, know your limits, use a ramp or drop off area where the wind isn’t going to beat you or your vessel up. If the wind is out of the west, then pick a drop off spot on the West Bank, also try to avoid running long distances. If you fish out of a kayak or SUP make sure the wind doesn’t blow you around so much that you can’t get back to your destination!

When it comes to the fishing, look for the same indications as if it was calm: bait, edges from shallow to deep, or maybe even an area where the water changes from muddy to clean. These are all areas the fish will hold. Next, instead of fighting the wind use it to your advantage. I like to set up wind and toss my bait as far in front of the boat as possible, drifting across windy grass flats can really produce! If you feel you’re moving too fast, or maybe your seeing fish push out, drift socks or even simply a bucket attached with a rope behind the boat to slow you down can be very helpful.

If bait fishing is more your style, fishing wind blown points, or edges where the water is really moving with baits such as cut mullet, ladyfish, and pinfish can be deadly! Set up as far ahead as possible of where you believe your fish are going to be, but close enough to where you can still reach them with a nice long cast, the nice thing about the wind is it allows the smell of your bait to travel further than if it was slicked out.