BeaverTooth Loc: Branson, MO

Anyone who has ever read one of my recent posts, knows that I am the new owner of a 2021 model, 12’ Lowe johnboat with a brand new Mercury 9.9hp, that I have done a few modifications to in hopes of making it more comfortable and useful.

I live in the Branson, Missouri area and fish primarily on Bull Shoals Lake and occasionally on Lake Taneycomo. I completely stay away from Tablerock Lake because it is too big and pressured by huge pleasure and power boats. Its too ruff!

Today on Christmas Eve, I was fully planning on taking my two daughters out in the Jonboat for an afternoon of fishing on Bull Shoals Lake in 70 degree weather. Then I stepped outside and realized that the wind was between 11-15 mph with gusts up to nearly 30 mph. The American flag on my neighbors flag pole was flying perpendicular to the pole.

In recent days, while getting used to the new Jonboat, I have found that I don’t really enjoy being out in my little boat on windy days. If it’s windy I spend an incredible amount of time and effort working on controlling the boat. The wind in the wintertime also brings with it some cloudy days and uncomfortable temperatures. I cant stand cold weather!

Even though the wind is not so high as to cause danger and prevent me from going fishing strictly due to safety issues, I find that my level of “enjoyment” suffers greatly if I head out for a day on the lake in windy conditions. I also am launching and loading on a concrete boat ramp that has no boat dock, which is always a thrill to navigate on a windy day. Lol. Additionally, after loading my equipment and hitching up the boat, I have to drive about 30 minutes on a two-lane, very narrow winding/twisting Ozark road to get to the boat ramp. You definitely have to be in the mood to make the drive, even though it is only 30 minutes away.

I just love being on the water on a calm day!

So I thought I would pose the question… What is your personal limit for wind as it relates to your “overall enjoyment” of the day? I’m not referring to safety issues which might cause your boat to swamp or capsize, but rather how much wind can you tolerate before you begin regretting being in the boat?

Is going to be even windier tomorrow on another 70° day so it is unlikely I will have my johnboat on the water again before the end of the year.

Merry Christmas to all of you and may you experience a wonderful holiday season with family and friends! God bless you all! BeaverTooth

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

I don’t like wind either on 9.9hp on a 16’ pontoon, canoe, or small 13’ row boat. I am fortunate to be able to fish on my dock on windy days. We are pushing upwards of 10mph steady here. Just not fun on a small boat.

jepolt Loc: North East Ohio

Hi there BT, that’s a nice looking rig you got there. I hope you have many fun and safe trips. Looks like that lady had some success on your boat, that’s a very nice bass! The seats you show look like something you upgraded. Looks like a great addition and will allow for spending more time on the water! Nice. I am not a fan of windy fishing either. Being a Lake Erie guy, now a days, 15 MPH is my limit. Now a lot depends on the wind direction. I am on the south shore of Lake Erie so a straight south wind I can tolerate 20 MPH for about 1 mile from shore, after that it’s just to rough. Three foot waves is the absolute most I want to fish in and even that is not much fun. Younger days it was a different story. I would venture out in 4 footers and have to hold on to my boat with one hand and cast with the other all while not spilling my beer. 😁. As I got into my late 60’s. That all changed. Now I do inland lakes and hit Lake Erie on days when wind is forecasted to be 15 or under. Things do change as we fishermen get more experienced/older. Enjoy the nice boat of yours as often as you can.

BeaverTooth Loc: Branson, MO

Thank you so much for your reply! Until late this year I had spent the last three years fishing from a kayak after disposing of a big 20 foot bass boat with a 200 hp motor. My rule for kayak fishing was that if the wind hit 10 mph, I would not go out in my “paddle-only” kyack. I couldn’t even retrieve one cast before my kayak had gone cockeyed. I was beginning to think that I was a bit of a wimp, because I likewise do not enjoy going out in my little John boat if the wind hits 10 mph or higher, which it certainly did today. I am gratified to see that you agree. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Hey BT, in my 14' tin boat a steady 10mph is about the edge of comfortable, but the gusts can be the real PITA. Depending on direction, and even with the powerdrive on the bow, the boat can do a 180° turn during a cast. That's where fiberglass bass boats have the advantage, more weight and a lower center of gravity. Several of the lakes I fish are river lakes, so often you can find more sheltered areas, as they are winding from dam to dam.
Good luck choosing the best times to head out, and tight lines!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

The guys have said it well...and I will just add a comment to reinforce the idea that a steady 10 mph wind is all I like, regardless of what kind of craft I am in. If I have guests on board the boat I am even more cautious. The sudden appearance of a rogue wave or unexpected wind gust can also catch you off guard.

Moral of the story from me is that if all I can think about is dealing with wind, I'd rather be back on shore doing something else!

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

It depends on the lake I'm fishing, I've always thought the wind is your friend when bass fishing but I fish from a larger boat. Fishing wind blown banks sometimes catches a lot of fish. The baitfish go with the wind and so do the Bass. That said I do love those mirror finish calm days.

bucky buckner Loc: murrells inlet SC

well if the wind blows my skirt up I'll be heading home. MERRY CHRISTMAS Oh yea I hope that image wont stay with you long. LOL

HOWDY50 Loc: Carrollton GA

Nice boat & lady. Windcan be an asset under 10 to 12 mph. Blows plankton in coves & baut fish follow & fish follow them. Find a cove there will be less wind & more fish typically. Use the wind. Go to upper part of lake & let the wind take you with it. Use trolling motor to periodically correct. I live in Georgia and yes we have windy days. That is when I wind troll.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

There’s never been enough wind to kill my enjoyment for fishing. It’s made me change my approach a time or two but has never killed my enjoyment.

OK John Loc: Oklahoma City,OK

I think the consensus is 10 - 12 mph is too windy. I highly advise a TM with spot lock and remote to help. I know it will take up space but a huge difference in how much you can fish.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

I agree John. If you want to fish the windy days, the ideal setup would be : 1)a minimum 24v Trolling motor w/Spotlock and 2)a set of Powerpoles or Talons. This will allow you to approach the windward shoreline, and then lock the boat in position while you work everywhere within casting distance. When you've covered an area, move the boat and repeat.
That's the plan for my next (and last) boat. I've wasted too many years fighting the wind, don't plan on wasting ANY part of my retirement on it.

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

Spot lock makes the wind a lot more manageable. There's been several times when I'll set the spot lock and go to the back of the boat and fish then work my way back to the front fishing all the spots between.

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

I’m in agreement with you on the wind issue. It s at the very least a pain in the butt to be out in the boat on a windy day. 15-20 mph winds with higher gusts becomes dangerous. We have small craft advisory here with those conditions. There’s always other things on the honey do list to take care of then when conditions are good , I’m fishing.

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

The advantage of fishing the Miss. river on windy days is working the narrow backwater sloughs on those days !