Windy, choppy water conditions create some unique fishing challenges, but can also create great fishing opportunities if you know how to attack these waters.
Certain lures and fishing strategies will be much more effective in these choppy conditions than others.
Yes, bass actually tend to be more aggressive and bite more on a windy day. The rough water and wind blow a lot of baitfish in the same direction.
The baitfish will become densely populated on the side of the lake where the wind is blowing. And where there is food, there are bass to eat it.
The wind also mixes lots of oxygen directly into the water. The more oxygen the bass have, the more energy and aggression they will have, making them bite a lot.
Also read: Do Bass Bite in the Rain?
The fish become pushed and compacted to the side of the lake where the wind is blowing.
These fish are also pushed up into a bit shallower water on that same side. The rough water stirs up food, oxygen, and a bit of current.
These give fish more energy and get them moving around a lot.
Target the side of the lake or pond where the wind is blowing because the bass will tend to stack up here and wait for the prey to blow in.
When the water is choppy and rough, you need to use a bit heavier, sturdier gear. Finesse lures and gear is not going to work well because your bait will get tossed around, blown by the wind, and you won’t have much control of it.
Use medium or ideally medium heavy rods and a bit heavier lures that can push through the wind and choppy surface.
It is best to use baits that cover a bit more water and can be retrieved faster. Slow moving baits result in slack in your line which gets blown and carried away by the rough water.
Choppy water also makes bass very aggressive because of the influx of disoriented baitfish, meaning that the bass are on the hunt and moving around quite a bit, making faster lures work better.
These 5 lures are the lures that I have personally had the most success. I have also asked industry experts about choppy water fishing lures, and they agree with me for the most part.
The spinnerbait is universally seen as the best choppy water lure. The flash of the blades catches the attention of aggressive bass and the slender profile cut through the wind and rough water.
With all the different blade options and combinations a spinnerbait can be fished in any water clarity or depth.
The lipless crankbait is very slender and compact which helps with rough water fishing.
The tight wobble action of a lipless crankbaits also seems to trigger more bass bites in choppy water fishing conditions.
Since these lures sink, you can fish them at any depth you want without adding extra things like a deep diving bill which I personally think diminishes from traditional crankbaits.
Also Read: Best Lipless Crankbaits
Most “best lure” lists will contain at least one topwater lure and a buzzbait is my favorite choppy water surface presentation.
Buzzbaits have similar profiles and flashiness of a spinnerbait, but they also have the splashing component on the surface.
If you see some low ups or notice that fish are suspended higher in the water column, then a buzzbait is a great option.
Also Read: When to Use a Buzzbait?
Chatterbaits are like a mix between a spinnerbait and a crankbait. The have the profile and flash of a spinnerbait with the wobble and vibration of a crankbait.
Chatterbaits are great for catching very aggressive bass. The huge amount of vibration will call bass from far away. I prefer fishing chatterbaits around grass lines and shallow water.
Jointed swimbaits give a hyper realistic presentation and trigger big bites. These hard body swimbaits are typically a bigger lure and require heavy fishing gear, but because of this size they are not even fazed by harsh winds and choppy water. Aggressive bass love big meals, and a jointed swimbait is exactly that.
Choppy water almost always makes bass more aggressive and pushes lots of baitfish right to them. This makes for great bass fishing.
The exception to this winter fishing in cold water. The wind also cools off the water by as much as 2-3 degrees.
Normally this wouldn’t be a problem ( and would actually be another advantage during hot, summer months), but in the winter, bass seek out the warmest water possible.
So in the cold months, fish the sections of your lake that are secluded and protected from the wind.
In the winter, the calmer the water, the warmer the water, so the more fish in the water.
Also read: What Do Bass Do in the Winter?
If you are fishing from a boat or kayak out in the water, then you should fish with the wind. Cast with the wind in towards the banks.
If you are fishing from the bank, then you should fish against the wind. This can be a bit of a disadvantage because casting into the wind will reduce your casting distance.
This being another reason why you need a bit heavier, compact lures that can be casted further. But this does not mean bank fishing in windy conditions is a bad thing.
Choppy, windy conditions are a great time for shore anglers. The wind pushes and condenses the fish up closer to the bank.
Now, they are only condensed on the side of the lake that the wind is blowing. So, if you are a shore fisherman, spend most of your time fishing those banks.
This doesn’t mean there are absolutely zero fish on the other banks, but these shorelines are the highest percentage areas during choppy water conditions.
Bass Aggressiveness in Windy Conditions: Bass tend to be more aggressive and bite more on windy days due to the movement of baitfish driven by rough waters. The wind also introduces more oxygen into the water, increasing bass energy and aggression.
Fish Behavior in Choppy Water: Fish are pushed and compacted to the side of the lake where the wind is blowing, and they move into shallower water. The rough water stirs up food, oxygen, and current, making fish more energetic and active.
Gear and Lure Selection: In choppy conditions, use medium to medium-heavy rods and heavier lures that can handle the wind. Faster-retrieving baits are more effective, as slow-moving ones result in slack lines that get carried away by rough water.
Top 5 Lures for Choppy Water:
Spinnerbait: Universally regarded as the best choppy water lure due to its flash and slender profile.
Lipless Crankbait: Slender and compact, with a tight wobble action that triggers bass bites in choppy water.
Buzzbait: A topwater option with profiles and flashiness similar to a spinnerbait, plus a splashing component.
Chatterbait: Combines the profile and flash of a spinnerbait with the wobble and vibration of a crankbait.
Jointed Swimbaits: Offer a hyper-realistic presentation and trigger aggressive bites, suitable for harsh wind conditions.
When Not to Fish Choppy Water: During winter, when bass seek warmer waters, windy conditions can cool the water off by 2-3 degrees. In cold months, fish secluded and protected sections of the lake.
Wind Direction Tips: Fish with the wind if you are on a boat or kayak, casting towards the banks. For bank fishing, fish against the wind, but use heavier and more compact lures for increased casting distance.
Shore Fishing Advantage: Choppy water conditions are favorable for shore anglers as the wind pushes fish closer to the bank. Concentrate efforts on the side of the lake where the wind is blowing for higher success rates.
Q1: Do bass bite more on windy days? A: Yes, bass tend to be more aggressive and bite more on windy days due to the movement of baitfish and increased oxygen levels in the water.
Q2: Why are spinnerbaits considered the best choppy water lure? A: Spinnerbaits have a flash of blades that catch the attention of aggressive bass, and their slender profile cuts through wind and rough water effectively.
Q3: When should I avoid fishing choppy water? A: Avoid fishing choppy water in winter when the wind can cool off the water, and bass seek warmer areas. Fish in secluded and protected sections during the cold months.
Q4: How should I fish in windy conditions from a boat? A: Fish with the wind, casting towards the banks. Use heavier lures for better casting distance.
Q5: Why is shore fishing advantageous in choppy water? A: Choppy water pushes fish closer to the bank, making it an ideal time for shore anglers. Concentrate efforts on the side of the lake where the wind is blowing for higher success rates.
Also Read: Best Color Lures for Cloudy Days
Choppy water gives you great opportunities to catch lots of bass. Just make sure you use the right lures like the 5 listed above.
These lures allow you to both capitalize on the great advantages of windy weather fishing while also defending against the potential challenges of this choppy water.
Test out which of these lures work best for you and of course, have fun!
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