Kayak Fishing in the Wind

So this week I am making sales calls the Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Reservoir in Missouri and have decided to bring along my kayaks and fish a bit in the evenings when I've finished working for the day. Looking at the weather forecasts it looks like I'll be fighting a bit of wind. I'm bringing along my folding anchor and my brush anchor. I also plan to start off paddling into the wind so that I'm not fighting it on the way back and looking for some cover from it.

What else do you do to fight wind in a kayak? Tricks and tools?

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Originally Posted by jaoeyp

... What else do you do to fight wind in a kayak?...

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Try to stay out of it (the wind) the best you can. Find yourself some coves to fish that look promising. That should work out for ya since its still pretty early in the year and most of the crappie won't be in their deep patterns yet.

If you do venture out of the coves... I lot of folks have had luck with drift socks. I have never used one in a kayak and assume that it could be treacherous in certain conditions. Both of the lakes you mentioned are big bodies of water, so a kayak flag might be desirable also.

I second the above post. I attempt to stay out of it much as possible. Also if you have anything like my luck, the wind will shift about the time you reached the end of your paddle into the wind. I swear this happens more times than it should. I have never used a drift sock, but a flow and troll bait bucket will slow you down a good bit.

I can sometimes find wind to be frustrating when fishing in my kayak and overall usually if I just accept it rather than fighting it (mentally as well as physically) I get less frustrated. It is what it is and still more enjoyable for me than not fishing at all.

As far as the fishing itself other than trying to get into area more protected from the wind I have found that once I stop paddling and before I cast if I simply be sure to turn the nose into the wind (or sometimes the rear) it helps to better hold the position a little longer while casting and reeling. I sometimes will also use the wind to drift threw a targeted spot. And yes I agree it is generally easier to begin fishing against things like wind and currents in order to have them going with you on your return.

Have fun, stay safe, and wear a PFD

Ain't no way you could pay me enough to take my kayak out on Lake of the Ozarks! I was with a friend in a nice lowe bass boat last fall and a guy came by in half plane and water came over the top of my friends boat. It would've swamped a yak! Just saying......

I like to paddle against the wind to start. Then drop a drag chain and use my rudder to steer my drift back to my starting point. I have never fished LOZ but I've never had problems with boat wake on Truman.

I fish in the wind quite often and actually never use an anchor. In my nearly 30 years of kayak fishing, I have found that it is pretty easy to stay stationary if you face directly into the wind. Of course there are times when the wind is just too much, but for the most part, face the wind and it shouldn't be much of a problem.

Get an oversized wind sock. It definitely helps to control the speed of your drift. I like them big to go slower. You may need to close the funnel if you drift too fast. As a temporary (or permanent) fix, try a 5 gallon bucket with holes drilled in it. You can also use it to carry your gear - duel purpose.