Wind and Rain

20110406
Who would have thought that fishing in 15 mph winds could be so enjoyable.  I for one typically don't care for being out in the wind.  In season's past being in the wind would leave me suffering greatly from allergies and all sorts of discomfort due to enraged sinuses.  While I did suffer a minor sneezing bout as I left the vehicle and made my way down to the shore.  I ended up having to stop a moment and find a handkerchief.  Undaunted I decided to try a few casts using the traditional heavy lures. 

Given the strength of the storm front bearing down on me this afternoon, the winds were gusting substantially and the temperatures had dropped to the lower range of the 60s.  I figured I'd give the 0.5 oz lipless rattle bait and the 3/8 oz skirted jig a go since they have been set aside for the past few weeks.  I worked both rigs in several locations with no interest that I could detect.  Of course in that high wind unless something tied on hard I don't thing I was going to feel much... right?   I continued with the long casts and trying a variety of retrieves to see if I might find success.  It was not to be even with the really loud noise maker.   I was gratified that I didn't loose either of the lures as I make quite a few deposits in the prior month.

So before this took up all my time out there.  It was time for another switch of techniques.  I walked back to the vehicle and exchanged the rigs for the fish whip and my other UL swimbait.  Upon my return, I started with the swimbait.  Immediately I was able to perceive the light little pecks on the little swimbait as it was hauled back.  Casting that feather light 2 lb fireline is a real joy to use and watch.  It is sort of the same intrigue as watching an arrow in flight to the target.  The little 1/32 oz bait sort of hangs out there along with the tag line held aloft by the wind.   It almost defies gravity as you make a cast using it and the landing is delayed to the point of where you being to question, where did it go?   It is simply held up there and gently enters the water.  I've figured this could make for an interesting lure action as I don't really have to do much on my end as the wind  teases the suspended line and acts on the lure in an ever shifting way.  What a hoot!  Just cast and refrain from doing anything other than monitor it. 

I was greatly encouraged by all the short little strikes.  Smaller lures appear to be the way to go.  I almost got a number of the strikes though a couple of cranks on the reel but eventually they disconnected.  In making those casts, I was able to map out just where the concentration of activity was located.  This setup for a transition to the fish whip for a go at the active ones. 

The wind gusts and swirling presented a casting challenge in timing and technique.  I had to change my typical timing for the false casts to create a much tighter loop at a lower angle so the wind would catch it so much.  My first cast landed far from the intended destination.  It was still suitable so I worked it for a few line strips before things came together on another potato chip sized BG.   So it begins again.  They are so much fun to play with.  A few more repeats of this and I'm off to another location.  That initial area seems to hold a large concentration of the smaller fish.   The deeper pockets have more size and variety of species.  A short walk over to another spot confirmed this. 

Using the wind to extend my casts over to a deeper section  of the pond proved to be very interesting.  Some really aggressive large fish were found and released.  It appears to find areas that are deep enough for the more sizable fish.  Too deep and they are not there.  Too shallow and you have the little ones.  So more exploring and characterizing the pond is in order. 

Unfortunately a wall of sprinkling rain combined with the wind made for an uncomfortable situation wearing just a tee shirt and shorts.  It got cold quick!  Time to go.  I'll come back another time.