We were out yesterday in our 17-footer east of the ferry, and lemme tell you the west winds they were a-blowin'! By sunset they were definitely in excess of 50kph = 30mph, and quite possibly more like 60k. But dang, the fish were hitting, too.
If the wind is straight out of the west, you can tuck yourself in against the bluff on the west side of the ferry. There is a steep dropoff both above and below the surface, and the area is a consistent producer at times [not yesterday]. Wind is good, at least west wind. South-west is good, north-west can be OK if you haven't been hammered by a cold front. If there is any easterly component to the wind, however, you might as well go home, cuz they're not gonna be bitin'.
Don't let a little wind stop ya, mate. As the wind blow, so bite the pickerellies. It was during those windy periods yesterday that the fishing improved so much!
Be safe, however. You can die out there. A great way to die is to have your motor stall, turning your stern towards the wind, and then being swamped by a rogue wave. If you are going out in heavy winds, make damn sure you have a boat that can take it, or be ready to bail if it starts getting too rough.
Float suits like Mustang or Buoy-O-Boy are a bit expensive, but will save your life if you ever blow it. Don't wait to nearly die [like I did] before you go buy one! It is a very small investment to make considering what you spend on fishing equipment, your boat, gas expense, and everything else. You won't believe how much more comfortable you'll be in your float suit, and how well it keeps out the wind, the cold and [somewhat, except round your bollocks] the rain.
If you end up floating in the water without a suit, and find yourself about to perish from hypothermia, your dying thought just might be, "Geez, maybe Pete was right about that suit..."
_________________ Self-unemployed and available for fishin' mid-week most days.
|