Wind in forecast, what's your limit?
 

Probably a bit of an odd question here. Was previously fishing out of a small aluminum and would really only go out when the weather was good. Bought a brand new boat 1650 Fish Hawk and want to get it broken in and do some fishing as well. I know lake size and wind direction can play a part, but generally speaking, where do you draw the line as far as being too windy when you look at the forecast and make your mind up if you are going to go out the next day?

I hate wind, but will head out as long as the waves don't come over he bow. but even then, if there is a calm bay on the other side I will brave them in my tinny

I have a 16.5 foot single console rig and have been out in some nasty weather trying to chase the walleyes.

Just go out in what you feel comfortable in.

If you are nervous and start over thinking things that is when you are going to have some problems.

Lately if the wind picks up and the waves get big I throw the life jacket on. A few years ago there would have been no thought in even wearing my life jacket.

Well, I wasnt in a boat but I have been out ice fishing when the wind was 117km/h, Wont do that again lol. Its not really enjoyable when the wind is howling. But im a guy who fishes to kill time not fish so I wanna enjoy my time out there. Bolting your chair down and tying you hat to your head isnt much fun ;)

If its white capping I won't go out

20 km/hr is pretty choppy and might produce some white caps if the lake is large, or oriented along the direction of the wind.

In a small tinner - that's about it (if there are no protected bays available).

At 40km/hr - big boats (fishing boats 18-20 ft) can be put into a precarious position quite quickly. That can produce some very serious waves.

Even in a bigger fishing boat - after 20 km/hr it's hard to steer and stay on track, hard to keep your anchor fixed and just a plain pain in the butt to be out there sometimes.

Last year at the SAWT Travers tourney everyone that fished in that tourney faced some heavy winds on day 2.

I can't remember what they reached but I am pretty sure it was in the 60-80km/hr. range. It was rough and everyone took a pretty good beating but there was plenty of fish weighed in at the end of the day.

I fished out of my 16.5 single console with a 40hp and I know there was a few others out there with similar rigs so it wasn't just the big rigs that stuck it out.

fetch is the term for waves that build over a length of a body of water.

If you do chance going out in the wind and know there is a chance the wind might get greater through the course of the day,,, keep a 5 gal bucket with a strong handle tied off to about 20 feet of good boat line, and, have the other end tied off to the front of your boat (or where you hook your trailer winch to the boat).

If you stall, toss the bucket out and it will keep you facing the oncoming waves and not turning broadside to them.

Put your ego aside,,, if you have second thoughts, don't second guess yourself,,, hunker down on shore and enjoy yourself safely.

It all depends where I am fishing for the day, if it is on a stream where I can use the wind to my advantage, no problem. If I am going to fight it all day, then it is probably a day better suited for hiking.

Anything short of an F5 tornado is fine by me. (and even then) Lightning is different tho. Was at Brazeau couple of years ago when a storm blew over, stayed until a bolt hit behind my buddy and I before we jumped in the truck.
Of course we weren't in a boat...

I've been out in a pelican fishing boat with my 2hp motor that runs like six was out in the middle of a big lake when some bad weathert apeard took me two hours to get home lucky I always bring an extra can of fuel or would probably flipped go out as long as your comfortable and ready to face the concequences

I made exactly the same move as you 3 years ago. From a 12' tinner to a 1650 fish hawk. I find now that 30k is my limit. If I can get on before wind blows that hard I will. Mostly because I fish alone a lot and anything more than that makes loading and unloading the boat a p.i.a. I also still have a lot to learn on boat control as well because 30-40k and I struggle to keep boat where I want it.

Waves that may not prevent you from moving around on the water may be enough to stop you from launching the boat if they are in the wrong direction. If they are large enough to start coming in the back of the boat while trying to launch, the boat could have a fair bit of water in it before it is even pushed off the trailer. If you have 1 or 2 experienced people helping, that may be enough to launch in large waves. By yourself could be another story.

While on the water, lightning, and the dreaded feeling of hail bouncing off my forehead is enough to get me off.

winds can really spoil your day and they can come up at any time. i always try to be near a point or bay where i can head for to stay protected.

My thoughts are this:

If the anchor wont hold its time to go home. How big of an anchor depends on how much you want to lift every single day. I use 15lb and 100 feet of line. Tied to winch hook at bow. There will be white caps by then.

Remember you have to safely get off so being pounded at the launch could be a factor.

Thanks for all the input. It's good to have a starting point for now until I can get some time in on the water and see how the boat handles different situations. I know it's always a matter of perspective. I hated wind in the 14 footer, but with an old 9.8hp finding shelter when the wind shifted meant taking a beating. Prior to that my family had a 16' tri-hull. Reasonably stable trolling and stationary, but getting across the lake was brutal. This boat should be a totally different experience, I hope.

I'm like winger7mm, I'm fishing for recreation and don't want it to be any more stressful than it needs to be. Shouldn't be a problem today. 30km/h with gusts up to 40km/h right now but forecast shows it dropping off to 10-20km/h by time I'll be on the water for the maiden voyage. Out of the north too, which is ideal because I usually launch and fish on the north side of this lake.