Posted 8/17/2009 12:05 AM (#394475) Subject: Windy
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI
Has it been just plain windy all across the musky belt this year, or has it mainly been a N WI thing? I don't remember what it's like to have the power low on the trolling motor, and carefully and leisurly work my way around structure.
I heaved an 8 ounce rubber bait into the wind, and about mid cast, the wind stopped it and blew it BACK at me a few feet. BAAHHH!!!
At least I had a couple follows in the few hours I was able to ge out today. Not really complaining. Sure gives me respect for what the guys that fish Mille Lacs a lot deal with. That big wind and big waves puts equipment and anglers to the test. I'm sure the waves that were rolling around on this 900 acre lake don't even come close to what's typical on a breezy day on the big lakes like Mille Lacs.
I was bored and took some video of myself fishing today. Funny to watch yourself fish.
Posted 8/17/2009 7:10 AM (#394484 - in reply to #394475) Subject: Re: WINDY
Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI
The wind here in Wisconsin was horrendous this weekend.
I did manage to finally track down the "custom" Fleet Farm - Topraider at the Fleet Farm in Waupaca. Been looking for it everywhere! That was about the extent of my musky fishing this weekend.
Posted 8/17/2009 9:14 AM (#394506 - in reply to #394475) Subject: RE: WINDY
Posts: 18
Location: Northwoods
Great video...I kinda expected you to pull up a pod of king crab! It has been very windy, even trying to get relief on the river has been a real challenge. I kinda like livin my adventures through you, it saves my sore back! (ha-ha) Maybe there is a "reality" musky show here...;) Joe
Posted 8/17/2009 6:46 PM (#394610 - in reply to #394475) Subject: Re: Windy
Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN
I would say the last 2 summers have been uncommonly windy. When you're a weekend warrior and it seems the wind is howling all the time it really cuts down on time on the water; at least for me. I have a larger, deeper, aluminum boat with a full windshield and an under powered trolling motor so I have given up on fishing bigger winds. Boat control suffers that's for sure.
Posted 8/17/2009 8:42 PM (#394631 - in reply to #394610) Subject: Re: Windy
Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes
Don't fight the wind trying to use your bowmount to go into it, get a drift sock or 2 and use the wing to your advantage, use the trolling motor to adjust but let mother nature do the work. Here we get wakes bigger than that coming from 12 directions at the same time, try that once.
Posted 8/17/2009 10:19 PM (#394653 - in reply to #394475) Subject: Re: Windy
Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN
I've tried the drift sock and it doesn't seem to slow things down very much at all. I bought a 40" from Cabelas but maybe should pick up another. I fish a lot of smaller rock reefs and how they are positioned the wind just never seems to go in the right direction to do a good drift on them. I end up dragging the sock around to keep off the structure so to keep good position I usually power into it. I've got a lot to learn yet in that department so I appreciate the advice. I'll fish up to a 30mph wind but when it gets gusts higher than that it's a pain, especially since I fish alone a lot of times.
Posted 8/17/2009 10:46 PM (#394657 - in reply to #394653) Subject: Re: Windy
Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes
We run a 17' Tracker Targa and some days run both a 48" and my 54" socks. Sometimes where you tie them off will let the boat drift in a different way. Also make a difference what side the winds hitting, each boat is different just need to play around and see what works best for you. I would try a 2nd sock or a big one and see how that helps. Try to borrow one to try before you have to buy if you can. Some days you need the socks and the bowmount to get what you need. Beats fighting the wind anyway and we are handicaped with a POS Minn Kota Maxumm. Terrovas on order for next season.
Posted 8/17/2009 11:04 PM (#394660 - in reply to #394475) Subject: Re: Windy
Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN
Really appreciate it Shaley. I'm running the 17' Targa as well with the original 52lb Motorguide. First time trying that 40" sock out I felt a DCG had more drag/resistance. I'll have to spend more time with the socks and positions though. Wouldn't hurt to get in a boat with someone more experienced and see how they handle it. And it really wouldn't hurt to upgrade trolling motors either! Thanks again.....
Posted 8/17/2009 11:29 PM (#394662 - in reply to #394475) Subject: RE: Windy
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI
HA, I did feel a little like I was on a crab boat on the Bering Sea. I should have taken some video when I was fishing a spot that had to be run sideways in the waves. Things were really rockin' then!
I do need to get a driftsock or two. I do like to run into the wind with the trolling motor, but on some days it just gets to be a bit much. I'll have to deal for now. With only one job between me any my fiance (and SHE is the one going to work every day), any fishing accessories are put on hold for a while. I'm lucky to just be able to get out fishing.
Anybody need a fishing guide that's fairly new to the Hayward area? I know where you could find one for REAL cheap compared to the rest. He's not licensed or insured (or really a guide at all), so be real careful in the boat....especially if it's really windy.
Posted 8/18/2009 10:20 AM (#394674 - in reply to #394475) Subject: Re: Windy
Posts: 897
Get a bigger trolling motor. 52lb is not big enough for a 17' boat in very much wind. Wind is a good thing. I'd rather have 25mph winds and 3 footers than dead calm anyday.
Posted 8/18/2009 1:41 PM (#394710 - in reply to #394475) Subject: Re: Windy
Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota
I'd say get a kicker motor on the back...set the steering to stiff so when in gear it will not turn to the side. The, control your steering with the bow-mount. By getting a kicker, you will have a second way off the lake if something on the big motor goes down....it's a safety measure as well as a positioning tool
Posted 8/18/2009 9:34 PM (#394788 - in reply to #394475) Subject: Re: Windy
Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN
Not a bad idea Steve. Now that you mentioned that I recall hearing/reading about that years ago. So many upgrades, so little money!! I'll get there eventually...
Posted 8/19/2009 11:40 PM (#395001 - in reply to #394710) Subject: Re: Windy
Posts: 929
Location: Rhinelander.
I'd be carefull running a kicker and casting in wisconsin. I think you'd get stopped. You'd have to talk your way out of it and probably in court. At least thats what I think would happen.
Posted 8/20/2009 9:56 PM (#395139 - in reply to #394475) Subject: Re: Windy
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI
I don't know, I would think you should be okay running the kicker even on the non trolling lakes. I don't know the law word for word, but as I understand it, you can't use the motor to PULL the baits. This would include using an electric bow mount trolling motor. If you are casting ahead of the movement of the boat, I don't think it should matter if you are propelling the boat with an electric motor or a gas motor.
I think it would be a BIG problem if you were letting the baits get behind the boat and were obviously dragging/pulling them, but if you were constantly casting ahead and reeling in, I don't see an issue.
If the warden wants to come ask me what I'm doing, no problem. If they want to take me to court over it, I think they'd have a hard time winning. I could very well be wrong, but that's how I look at it.
The kicker would be great for boat control, but no way is that affordable in the near future. I always thought a big transom trolling motor would be nice to have too. I think it could also allow you to work the boat a little bit "sideways" into the wind when fishing with two or three people. Lots of guides have transom trolling motors, and I imagine that's one of the reasons they have them. I can see it allowing a method of boat control that using just a bowmount (or even a bowmount and kicker) couldn't give you.
Windy
Not really complaining. Sure gives me respect for what the guys that fish Mille Lacs a lot deal with. That big wind and big waves puts equipment and anglers to the test. I'm sure the waves that were rolling around on this 900 acre lake don't even come close to what's typical on a breezy day on the big lakes like Mille Lacs. 
