The wind is one of many factors that affect fishing. The funny thing about the wind is that it can have positive and negative effects on fishing.
So, how does wind affect fishing? The wind has quite an impact on fishing regardless of the direction it’s blowing from. Wind blowing towards a shoreline will increase the number of baitfish, causing the larger fish to come for an easy meal. The wind also creates currents and makes it hard for fish to swim in certain areas.
Keep reading to discover how wind direction impacts fishing and whether or not you should go fishing in the wind.
How Does Wind Affect Fishing?
Wind affects fishing in many different ways. To have a successful day on the water, you need to understand how does wind direction affects fishing.
Here are the most important ways wind affects fishing:
Wind Creates Currents
One of the most notable ways the wind affects fishing is by creating currents. Strong winds can create strong currents, affecting your ability to fish in certain parts of the water.
Water currents can also be used to predict where the fish will be. The current causes the water to go in one direction, but most fish like to swim against the current or stay in one area battling the current.
The main reason for this is that it’s easier for fish to maneuver when swimming against the current rather than swimming with it. Larger fish are strong enough to hold against a current and lie in wait for smaller fish to get carried in their direction.
Understanding how currents work and how big fish behave in strong currents can help you when fishing in windy conditions.
Windswept Shorelines
Fishing on windswept shores can be highly productive. As the wind blows, it will carry a lot of small baitfish toward the coast and cause them to form many tight groups.
While you won’t be interested in these small fish, they will attract larger predator fish to come close to shore for an easy meal. If you notice the wind is blowing towards the shore, that’s where you should be.
Pier fishing is the best and safest option when the wind blows towards the shoreline, as boats can get smashed against rocks.
Blowing from the Shore
When the offshore wind blows, it carries the insects and plant matter from the shoreline into the water. Small baitfish that like eating insects and larvae will swim close to shore to feed.
All of that food will attract many fish to the area, creating a feeding frenzy. Offshore wind creates a perfect opportunity for anglers to catch big fish in a short amount of time.
Wind Causes Changes in Barometric Pressure
Also known as atmospheric pressure, barometric pressure is the pressure caused by the weight of the air pressing down on the Earth. When the wind blows, it causes changes in barometric pressure, creating one of the best fishing opportunities.
The falling barometric pressure affects the fish’s swimming bladder, causing the fish to go into a feeding frenzy. The time immediately before and after the storm hits is ideal for fishing.
Do Fish Like It When It’s Windy?
Windy weather can be both good and bad for fish. Windy conditions increase fish activity and stimulate feeding activity.
Whether or not the fish will enjoy the windy conditions depends on the direction of the wind. Wind blowing from the north or east usually isn’t good for fishing as it signals to fish that bad weather is on its way. These weather conditions, combined with decreased barometric pressure, warn fish that it’s time to go deeper into the water column and hide.
Fish can’t feel the wind below the water’s surface, but they aren’t oblivious to its effects. In most cases, wind causes waves and carries insects and other food into the water bringing the fish closer to the surface to feed.
Having said that, fish don’t enjoy extreme winds, like hurricanes any more than people do. In a time of big storms and strong winds, fish may have trouble staying balanced near the surface and venture into deeper waters to weather the storm.
What Winds are Best for Fishing?
Wind direction is a significant factor to consider if you want to get the most out of a fishing trip. Consider going fishing when the wind comes from the south or the west, as fish are more likely to bite in these conditions.
Check the weather conditions and wind direction before you head out to fish. This way, you’ll have a good idea of whether or not you should go fishing or not that day.
When the wind is blowing from the west or south, it carries food from the shore into the water, causing fish to swim close to the surface and go into a feeding frenzy. These winds also create surface agitation and waves that lure fish close to the surface, where you have better chances of catching them.
Although wind blowing from the west and south is good for fishing, that doesn’t mean that it’s safe to head out on the water in strong winds. Strong winds are dangerous, whether they are blowing from the south, west, east, or north.
Fish don’t like extreme weather conditions either, so it’s your best bet to skip fishing and stay home on extremely windy days.
Conclusion
Windy conditions affect fishing in several ways and, in most cases, spur fish to come closer to the surface and go into a feeding frenzy. The wind’s direction is another factor you need to consider when fishing, as the wind coming from the west and south creates ideal fishing conditions.
Check the weather report and the wind direction before you go fishing to increase your chances of having a productive fishing trip.