Whats your max wind speed?

[ccarver80]

Thinking of heading to McKenzie bay this weekend... right now forecast shows (Friday/Saturday) 15-17mph... the bay it self is only about 1/2 - 3/4 mile wide.... my boat is a 2004 16' Crestliner SuperHawk with a 75hp Yamaha.... Does anyone have any reports for McKenzie bay when it gets windy? is it pretty well protected..?? I don't want to make the 2hr drive to end up driving back cuz of wind...

Thanks

 

[Skeeter85]

Getting your boat in the water should be no problem. Boat ramps are some what protected. Getting to a good fishing spot might be a challenge. I would fish south of Mackenzie. Water temps are 4 to 5 degrees warmer south.

 

[DirtyMike]

I've been out in worse but it wasn't intentional. It comes down to how much you want to beat you and your boat up. 15-20 seems to be about par for the course this spring.

 

[Bfishn]

When it comes to wind there are no guarantees. Check NOAA the night before and in the morning before you leave. Having said that you should be fine in Mckenzie bay. Just do whatever is in your comfort level. If winds say 25, i don't go.

 

[shorthairsrus]

I assuming its going to be out of the south E. I would go in on the south ramps - charging eagle or one of those ---- I would hug the SE side and play it by ear--- F what you hear about fishing the wind. Fishing the wind in 23-27mph winds on the windy side ---- let some fool do that.

 

[ccarver80]

Thanks, I have Weather underground and I have it set for National Weather Service.... If I switch it over to plain weather underground its saying 25mph... haha ... I think that's just a default wind speed for 4 days out... till they get closer they will change it... THANKS!

 

[shorthairsrus]

PS - the older I get the wiser -- wind overrated imo. My max enjoyable day is a a max 12mph wind. I will take a nice 5mph wind any day. Flat calm - I have had some of my best walleye days on flat calm water when other fail. Its all in presentation.

 

[ccarver80]

good point... I always grew up believing in the "walleye Chop" ... however I remember one trip we limited out with in 20 mins of actual fishing (plus time it took to re rig poles) in a heavy wind storm... but I was in a 18' lund with a 150hp motor then .... would wanna risk that in my boat.. I like playing it safe.. specially since I have a 8 week old at home now

 

[shorthairsrus]

dicky town wind forecast.

 

[H82bogey]

I don't think I've ever measured, but it I had some spicy Mexican the night before, I think I can reach bursts of 10mph...oh wait, you meant fishing. Never mind.

 

[shorthairsrus]

Sat imo is a blow day --- I am going to be sitting watching the boats go out with a cold one in my hand. That will last for two minutes while the dirt blows in my face and then i will go to the bar and brag.

 

[Bfishn]

PS - the older I get the wiser -- wind overrated imo. My max enjoyable day is a a max 12mph wind. I will take a nice 5mph wind any day. Flat calm - I have had some of my best walleye days on flat calm water when other fail. Its all in presentation.

You must not fish much if you don't go out above 12 mph. I've had some amazing days on flat calm and also in 35 mph winds that no man should have been out. One time in particular at deepwater there was not a single boat outside of the bay. We stopped for a second and said eff it and kept going. Worst i ever fished in but we knew where the fish were. We had to take shelter several times as storms passed, but in the short time we actually had lines in the water, we pounded 20-25" fish. We couldn't even stand up to fight a fish. I was the only one that actually ever stood up to net etc.

 

[BDub]

Once the wind is steady over 15 from the south Oahe is too crazy for me. It seems often that the 10 to 15 mph forecast turns into 10+15.

 

[KDM]

For me, wind doesn't matter. It's the waves. DL can have 4 footers with a 15 mph wind or a 40 mph wind with 6 inch waves depending on location. I take a look at the lake when I get there and make the call. Getting pounded by waves really reduces my fun level and I can always go muddin'.

 

[RustyTackleBox]

I usually try and limit where I go once the wind is over 20mph... I'll usually try and find a bay and ramp that is sheltered and try and stick closer to the ramp with no long runs... definitely been out there on days i shouldn't have been, 30mph sucks on sak

 

[wildeyes]

I with you rusty find a bay and ramp protected from the wind. this time of the year on Sak. the bays are good. sometimes you can even hit the main point on the bay you are fishing if the wind is right.

 

[Up Y'oars]

Yup, 20mph here, too. Under that just depends on the location and the boat ramp location. Just remember, the forecast's prediction of 15-17mph wind is "CONSTANT WIND" = no less than, but most likely more than that.

So, if you look at the other chart posted by Shorthair, you'll see gusts to 30mph. Definitely not a day for fishing unless you're going to hug every eastern shore where there are half-dozen honey spots on your GPS. IF not, I'd be playing cards and crackin' a beer. But, that's just me!

:;:stirthepot

 

[shorthairsrus]

You must not fish much if you don't go out above 12 mph. I've had some amazing days on flat calm and also in 35 mph winds that no man should have been out. One time in particular at deepwater there was not a single boat outside of the bay. We stopped for a second and said eff it and kept going. Worst i ever fished in but we knew where the fish were. We had to take shelter several times as storms passed, but in the short time we actually had lines in the water, we pounded 20-25" fish. We couldn't even stand up to fight a fish. I was the only one that actually ever stood up to net etc.

I didn't say I didn't fish it -- it just becomes un-enjoyable. The greater the wind is like drinking and boating --to much and something gets broke. If it effects your presentation your not going to catch fish. I have seen when wind comes up and its dynamite and then it raises further and your pass isn't right, or you can get your crank at the right depth or speed - then it goes away.

I don't think most people don't even realize what speed the wind is blowing and a lot don't bother. I seen a guy last year in the parking lot of the casino - smiling he had his family and was taking em out in a pontoon. We fished that day - went out and got out of the wind. When we went home we looked along the highway and here he was with the toon up on the rocks and famdamily on the rocks - looked like some serious stress.

I remember fishing the chamber - 15mph substained -- took out a ranger - we had a to wait for "our set" to cross the highway. The ranger went on the wrong set of waves and put a 6' crack down the middle - he was like forest wood after a while - they float but I think he had motor issues after the water came in.

Lot of chest beating on boats and wind sorry but I am not impressed.

 

[Sub_Elect]

Depends on the boat Im in. My old 18'er I had some pretty stellar days in 4 to 5' waves, on LOW we have fished the same conditions in a 21'er. In general I try to avoid anything over 20 mph winds, but where Im launching and where I plan to fish play a part in it.

 

[Bfishn]

I didn't say I didn't fish it -- it just becomes un-enjoyable. The greater the wind is like drinking and boating --to much and something gets broke. If it effects your presentation your not going to catch fish. I have seen when wind comes up and its dynamite and then it raises further and your pass isn't right, or you can get your crank at the right depth or speed - then it goes away.

I don't think most people don't even realize what speed the wind is blowing and a lot don't bother. I seen a guy last year in the parking lot of the casino - smiling he had his family and was taking em out in a pontoon. We fished that day - went out and got out of the wind. When we went home we looked along the highway and here he was with the toon up on the rocks and famdamily on the rocks - looked like some serious stress.

I remember fishing the chamber - 15mph substained -- took out a ranger - we had a to wait for "our set" to cross the highway. The ranger went on the wrong set of waves and put a 6' crack down the middle - he was like forest wood after a while - they float but I think he had motor issues after the water came in.

Lot of chest beating on boats and wind sorry but I am not impressed.

I wasn't beating my chest, more laughing and shaking my head at myself. But when you've driven 2 hours and know where the fish are sometimes its hard to say no. As I stated in my first post, i don't go out above 25 anymore. You are correct in how many people seem oblivious to forecasts and conditions though. People taking families out with obvious thunderheads rolling in etc.