Maximum Tolerable Wind Speed (MTWS)

[jtexas]

Just curious, how hard does the wind have to blow to keep you off the lake? Does it depend at all on how well the fish are biting? Or maybe it depends more on time since the last trip (TSLT).<br /><br />25mph is tolerable in my 15ft/70hp regardless of the bite - but I've never really pushed the envelope. I think for schooling stripers I could go higher. Any opinions?<br /><br />Also, does anyone know what conditions will prompt a lake wind advisory from the NWS? Couldn't find it on their website.<br /><br />thanks,<br />jtw

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Maximum Tolerable Wind Speed (MTWS)

I fish out of a 14 foot deep vee. A lot depends on the body of water you are fishing. Some of the shallower lakes I fish when the winds gets up around 15 MPH it really whips the place up. Other lakes with a jagged shore line I can tolerate a good amount of wind as long as I can get into coves and such where the water is a bit calmer. I stay home when it blows harder than steady 25 MPH. Another factor for me as a primarily bass fisherman is how difficult it is to hold position with the trolling motor in a hard wind.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Maximum Tolerable Wind Speed (MTWS)

Hello.<br />Out on the fingerlakes a 25 would not phase me.Just drop the sea-anchor overboard and drift slower.Out on lake Ontario where the waves have room to build up into nasty buggers, I would get out of the open and into a safe bay as fast as I can safely go.This with a 17 foot twin engine rig.<br />Often it is some stupid thing like engine failure at the wrong time that gets you.<br />Ask yourself if you want to eat stripers or be eaten by stripers?

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Maximum Tolerable Wind Speed (MTWS)

My "MTWS"....... When the cap flies off my head without the boat moving... Thats when I go home.. <br /><br />Some of my best days fishing were in some of the worst conditions...

 

[Ross J]

Re: Maximum Tolerable Wind Speed (MTWS)

Over here the water 'white caps' at 15 knots and thats when I call it a day. It just gets uncomfortable agfter that in my 5m boat<br />Ross

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Maximum Tolerable Wind Speed (MTWS)

Have fly fished in 25kt. winds. Wouldn't advise anyone to do that. Hooked myself on the back side a few times. Spent more time freeing the hook out of my coat and britches then time spent fishing.<br />On the ocean 15kts is resonable.<br />N.W. winds and S.W. we can fish the lee. Easterlies you can almost forget about fishing unless you fish the esturies.

 

[two2canoe]

Re: Maximum Tolerable Wind Speed (MTWS)

When that little voice in your head asks "What the h*** am I doing out here?" it's time to go.