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Work With the Wind for Fishing Success

Tips for making the most of gusty days while inshore fishing

We have all been there. You just got a new fishing rod, or the latest and greatest lure on the market, and what do you want to do? Go fishing! What do you know? It’s blowing a sustained 15 knots (always seems to work like that, right?) but you’re like the rest of us, a stubborn fisherman, so you hook up the boat and head to the ramp. Here’s a couple tips for when you just have to go for it.

Slow it Down

Fishing areas of open flats in the wind can be difficult, at least used to be. Slowing down your drift is essential for dissecting a flat, and finding the fish. The days of drifting into the pothole full of redfish are gone, if you use today’s technology to your advantage. Electronic shallow-water anchors make stopping in the wind as easy as pushing a button. I like having the wind to my back, stopping the boat and fan casting, until I have worked the 180-degree range in front of me. I will then pick up, drift and cast for another 30 yards or so and repeat. If I catch a fish on the drift, I will stick the anchor and work the area where the fish was caught. Note: You will typically have a belly in your line when fishing like this, especially with light lures, so keep your rodtip down, allowing minimal slack, making sure you feel a strike.

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