Stop fighting strong winds

Hey, Keith here.

We are entering the year’s windiest season, according to NOAA wind data.

For years, aggravating winds kept me at home—until I figured out how strong winds can actually work in my favor. 

Late February and March can be one of the most productive times of the year for bass fishing in lakes and ponds, but only if you know how to read the wind.

Most anglers waste hours trying random spots around the lake when they should be focusing on one area. 

Getting this right means more fish in less time, and who doesn't want that?

Fellow Fishing Fanatic of the Week 🔥 

Last year we asked you all to submit your best catches to be featured as the Fishing Fanatic of the Week (FFW) and now we’re bringing it back!

Eric K. is the FFW this week with a stud from the Everglades using shiners and topwater lures! 

Want to show off your awesome catch? Then reply to this email with your favorite fishing picture, a little about yourself, and how you caught the stud!

BEST LINKS

What I watched this week

• Learn How to Fish in the Wind in Less than 15 Minutes (Anglers)

   

• Fishing in the Wind: Using Wind to Your Advantage When Fishing (Coty Perry)

• Ultralight Bank Fishing in WINDY CONDITIONS (Fish Anything)

Deal of the week

If you’re in the market for a new reel, this PENN Pursuit IV is on sale on Amazon. It’s marked down from $74 to $43.

How to let the wind tell you where to fish

I’ll let you in on a secret: The round lakes and ponds we fish from the bank are perfect for wind fishing. Think of it as nature's own fish-finding system!

Here's how it works:

1. When you get to the lake, look for ripples on the water. 

2. Follow those ripples to find where they reach land. This is what they call a “wind-blown bank.”

3. Look for coves where debris is piling up—stuff like pollen, dust, floating grass, and small branches. 

Now, here's why these wind-blown spots are absolute gold mines for catching fish.

First, wind gets bass fired up and active—they love it! When those waves start chopping up the surface, it cuts down the sunlight penetrating the water, which makes bass feel safer about sliding up into shallow water to feed.

Second, the debris I spoke of above attracts smaller fish. And you know the old saying right? 

Find the bait and find the fish! 

Finally, all that wave action leads to moving water, which benefits the larger fish over the smaller fish. (Small baitfish struggle more when swimming in current.) 

It's like serving dinner on a platter for the bass—again, follow the bait.

My go-to lure for these spots? A bright-colored spinnerbait—white or chartreuse. It creates the perfect commotion in these active areas and lets you cover lots of water quickly. Plus, a larger-profile bait gives bass in the choppy water a big target to strike at.