I've seen many list out there telling folks the differences between fishing from a bass boat and kayak such as range and space for equipment. One of the major obstacles that is absent from most of these list, in my opinion, is the wind factor. Wind plays a major role in boat positioning and casting accuracy for both bass boats and kayakers but the struggle to overcome the effects of wind are handled very differently between the two.
Wind in and of itself is not a bad thing. Having some wind can assist in giving anglers areas to key in on such as points that it is blowing onto or across and banks or cover that it pushes baitfish into. Wind also helps to cause disturbance on the surface breaking up the silhouette of lures and making fish more apt to strike, especially in clearer water. For the kayak angler though it can also cause a frustrating and fruitless day on the water, if you even decide to go.
Boat guys always talk about how hard it was to keep their boats in position when the wind hits 10+ mph, and that they had to stay on the trolling motor all day just to be able to fish. Well when YOU are the trolling motor let me tell you a day on the water in even 5mph wind can cause a stream of profanity that would make a sailor blush. Power boats do not really have to take into account the areas they want to target on mildly windy days, where as if a kayaker wants to be successful and have a semi-enjoyable day they will need to research and plan specific areas to fish that afford the most protection from a gail.
So how do you fight nature and at least come to a draw? Well thats where planning and preparations come into play. I look on various weather sites to determine that days prevailing wind patterns. Once I know where the wind is coming from I start to narrow down my list of lakes that I can fish with the specific amount of wind. I know from past experience that certain lakes are off limits if the wind is above 5 or 6mph because they do not have any good sheltering coves, and I imagine everyone has similar experiences. After my list is narrowed down to fishable lakes I start looking for the aforementioned sheltering coves. Sometimes you have to paddle into the wind for a good distance from the nearest launch point to reach a leeward area but that initial effort will pay off. Even after you find your self a nice spot out of the wind there will still be times when the it will swirl and change directions, but in the end it is still better than dealing with it full on.
There is a strategy to fishing with the wind once you get to an area as well. Sometimes you may have to paddle past the prime fishing spots because wind is coming from the back of a cove. The key is to let the wind be your trolling motor, gently cruising you along while you fish. You will need to keep you paddle at the ready for corrections in course and to keep your boat in a castable position but it sure beats fighting against it all day.
Casting and casting accurately is also hampered by by strong winds. One thing I have learned to do when fishing jigs and soft plastics is to cast down wind and float to the position I want to achieve to start my retrieve. This affords me the ability to work my bait slowly without the wind basically trolling it at speed behind me. Casting down wind also helps to mitigate accuracy issues that hamper fishing efficiency. Lure selection and weight are critical to keeping your bait at the correct depth as well as fighting the effects of cross winds causing errant casts. The rule of thumb is to size up your weights as much as double or triple depending on wind strength and depth you are targeting, so don't be afraid to throw a 3/4 ounce or heavier sinker on a texas rigged worm if the winds are howling at 15mph but you are only fishing 5 feet deep.
Now I know that there are kayaks out there like the Hobies, Native Propel, and Predator XL that allow you to more easily maintain position in windblown areas while having your hands free to fish. There are also various systems of anchoring yourself in one spot like a Power Pole Micro, stakeout poles, anchor trolleys, etc. Not everyone has the means to own a pedal or motorized kayak, and the various anchor systems, at least to me, can be just as frustrating to deal with as the wind. In the mountainous areas I fish the wind tends to swirl and will leave you spinning around like a weather vane if you drop anchor, or Power Pole for that matter. Nothing is quite as annoying as getting set up thinking you are in the perfect position with your anchor out and the wind changes directions and leaves you with your back to the honey hole, then you trolley your anchor and you guessed it the wind changes again.
Do not let wind keep you off the water this year. It is just another variable that we have to learn how to deal with and often coincides with some of the best times of the year to catch a lunker. This year has been one for the record books here in Virginia, and the frustration that it has caused will not be forgotten but we live and we learn. Tight lines and fish on.
