There are a lot of anglers out there that will pack it up and head home when the wind picks up. This can be a big mistake. Sure, windy days can bring some tough fishing conditions and can blow out spots, make it hard to cast and navigate the boat – but the wind also activates the fish and can make for some killer days out on the water.
Having the right lure tied on in the wind is key if you want to maximize your fishing success. So, what are the best lures and baits in windy conditions? The best windy day bass lures are going to be ones that you can cover a lot of water with, are easy to cast, and are heavy enough to feel in the water.
In this article I share the best bass fishing lures to use when it gets windy and have also included some tips and information that will help you catch more bass on those windy fishing trips.
Top Windy Bass Fishing Lures
Fishing the right lure in the wind is critical if you want to catch bass. For that reason, I have compiled a list of the best bass fishing lures to use in windy conditions. All of these lures and baits are based on my personal experience.
- Spinnerbait
- Lipless crankbait
- Chatterbait
- Jerkbaits
- Crankbaits
- Heavier Jigs
Make sure to check out My Recommended Bass Fishing Gear and Tackle Guide to ensure you have the right gear for your next fishing adventure.
Spinnerbaits
The spinnerbait is probably the most effective wind fishing lure of all time. If you ask any bass fishing angler what their top lure is in windy conditions, I bet all of them would have the spinnerbait high on their list.
The spinnerbait is a killer bait any time there is moving water. This includes wind, turbulence, flooding conditions and any time there is current.
There are two main blade options that I use when fishing a spinnerbait, a double Colorado blade and a double willow blade.
The Colorado blade is more of a round shape and a thumper in the sense that it displaces a lot of water. I typically like to use this style of blade when the water is stained, at night or in low light conditions.
The willow blade is a slender blade that has more of a tear drop shape to it. I’ll go with this style when the water is clear or when I want to fish the spinnerbait a little faster. It also tends to have more of a flash which works well in overcast and windy conditions.
In windy conditions I will typically go with a double willow bladed spinner bait in most situations, but they can both be effective when the wind is strong.
There are a lot of different sizes and weights out there, the best ones are going to depend on how deep you are fishing. My favorite size is the ½ oz. It’s by far the most versatile and can pretty much be fished in any situation.
If you aren’t throwing a spinner bait in the wind you are missing out and I would highly recommend you bust out one of these baits the next time your faced with windy conditions. Here are some of my favorite spinnerbaits.
Recommended Spinnerbaits
Lipless Crankbait
When I think about bass fishing in the wind one of the first lure that come to my mind is a lipless crankbait. Outside of a spinnerbait this may be the best windy bass fishing lure ever made.
The weight of this lure makes it easy to cast in the wind and its vibration and tight wobble action makes it a great lure to trigger any nearby bass into striking.
The lipless crankbait is bay far one of my favorite baits to throw in the springtime. I’ve had some killer spring fishing days with these lures where I have caught a ton of largemouth and smallmouth bass.
One of the things that separates a lipless crankbait from many of the other lures on this list is its versatility. You can fish it fast or slow, deep or shallow. It excels around submerged vegetation such as grass (milfoil and hydrilla), around ledges and edges.
If you are looking for a lure that casts well and can handle tough windy conditions, then a lipless crankbait is a great option. Here are some of my favorite lipless crankbaits.
Recommended Lipless Crankbaits
Chatterbaits
Another one of my favorite lures to use in windy conditions is a chatterbait also known as a bladed jig. This lure has landed me some nice bass over the years and it’s one that I always make sure I have with me, especially when it starts to get windy.
This is another versatile lure that cast well in the wind and will flat out trigger some strikes. The action and vibration of this bait when paired with the right soft plastic trailer will make it tough for any nearby bass to resist.
If you would like to know the chatterbait trailers that I use check out another one of the articles I wrote here.
The chattebait can be an effective way to catch bass pretty much anywhere. I like to target grassy areas, murky water, points and pretty much anywhere that I need some vibration to get the bass fired up.
These lures come in a variety of shapes and sizes and its good have a few different size options, but if I had to choose one I would go with a 3/8oz. The heavier size lures will make it easier to feel and fish in the wind. So, if it gets super windy don’t be afraid to go with a bigger size.
The chatterbait is an all-time class bait for me and I have had a lot of success fishing for bass with them in the wind. If you haven’t already I recommend giving the chatterbait a try the next time your faced with windy conditions. Here are some of my favorite chatterbaits.
Recommended Chatterbaits
- Evergreen Jack Hammer Chatterbait
- Z-Man Project Z Chatterbait
- Z-Man CUSTOM Chatterbait
- Picasso Shock Blade
Best Chatterbait Trailers
- Yamamoto Cowboy
- Strike King Rage Trailer
- Yamamoto Zako Swimbait
- Yamamoto Swim Senko
- Keitech 4.8 Fat Swing Impact
Jerkbaits
The Jerkbait is hands down one of my favorite ways to catch bass. For me there is nothing like working the bait with jerk jerk pause, jerk jerk pause and then having a big bass come and hammer your lure.
Some of the best days I have had with jerkbaits have come when there has been some type of wind on the lake. There is something about the displaced water that really makes the bass more aggressive.
My favorite areas to target bass with a jerkbait is by far windy banks and points. Clear water and windy banks = aggressive bass.
Bait will get pushed up into the shallows and bass will take advantage of this and start to feed making it a great spot to be fishing at.
The other advantage of the wind is that it breaks up the water clarity, making it tougher for bass to see if your lure is real or not. These are the times when the jerkbait really shines.
Jerkbaits are also well known for their ability to get bites in cold water, which makes them one of the most popular lures to fish with in the spring and fall and are excellent when there is wind.
If you’d like to learn more about fishing a jerkbait check out this article: Jerkbait Fishing – Everything You Need To Know! This has some great tips and advice about fishing with a jerkbait. Also here are some of my favorite jerkbaits.
Recommended Jerkbaits
Crankbaits
Crankbaits are another productive bass fishing lure that can excel in the wind. This is a popular technique that is capable of covering water and depths quickly while enticing big bass to bite.
One of the keys to fishing in the wind is being able to imitate the forage the bass are feeding on. In windy conditions this will most likely be some type of baitfish or crawdads.
The crankbait does a great job at imitating a baitfish that is headed for cover in the shallows because of the wind. Find out what type of bait fish live in your water and choose a crankbait color that will match that profile.
If the wind is up find a wind blow bank and start covering water with a crankbait, you’ll have some great days on the water fishing this lure.
Crankbaits come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. In windy conditions I prefer a noisier bait that has some beads in it and one that is a little heavier to make casting in the wind a bit easier.
As far as colors go I would recommend starting out with a pattern that matches the forage in your fishery and then if that doesn’t’ do the trick, I would try a red or chartreuse colored crankbait and see if that gets them fired up. Here are some of my top crankbait choices.
Recommended Crankbaits
- River2Sea Tactical DD Crankbait (best in cold water)
- Strike King 6XD
- Megabass Deep Six
- Norman DD22
Heavier Jigs
When it gets windy and the bass are deeper you’ll need a bait that you can feel in water and that will maintain contact with the bottom. That’s where a heavy football head jig comes into play.
A heavier jig will allow you to cast farther, detect bites easier and feel the bottom as you work your bait back to the boat or bank.
I’ll make long casts and try and let the jig fall strait down on a slack line. At times it can be tricky to feel your jig and detect bites in the wind, that’s why having a sensitive rod is important.
Let’s be honest there is never a bad time to throw a jig especially when you are faced with windy conditions. Here are some of my favorite jig and trailer combinations.
Recommended Jigs & Trailers
Jig Heads
- Dirty Jigs Tour Level Finesse Football Jig
- Missile Jigs Ike’s Head Banger Football Jig
- Lunker Lure Rattlin’ Football Head Jigs
Jig Trailers
Tips on Fishing in the Wind
Fish Shallow – When the wind picks up baitfish get pushed into the shallows and the bass follow suite. The wind also activates the entire water column and the bass become more aggressive. When the wind is blowing, fish shallow and you’ll have a lot of success.
Throw Heavier Lures – Don’t be afraid to throw heavier lures especially if you are using bottom baits, such as a jig or drop shot. The larger weights will allow you to maintain bottom contact in the wind where the bass are siting.
Keep Batteries Charged – If you are using a trolling motor in boat or kayak having the batteries at full strength is a must. I’ve been in situations where my trolling motor lost its juice and I ended up getting stuck on the bank in some windy conditions. Not fun.
Hit the Windy Banks and Points – I know that quite cove or pocket seems a lot nicer to fish in, but these spots aren’t as productive in the wind. If you want to catch more fish hit the windy banks.
Bass Fishing in the Wind FAQ
Do bass bite when it’s windy? If you have been bass fishing for a while, you have probably ran into some fierce winds a time or two. Many anglers often wonder do bass bit when it’s windy? The answer is absolutely! The wind is more trouble to anglers than it is to the bass. In fact, the wind activates the fish and can make for some great fishing days out on the water.
Why is wind good for bass fishing? One of the best times to fish for bass is when its windy. The wind cause baitfish to be pushed into the banks and the bass follow and start feeding heavily. This makes for some great fishing. In addition, when a lake or pond’s surface is choppy or rough, it reduces light penetration making it tough for bass to find any imperfections in your lures or presentations.
How to catch bass when It’s windy? When it comes to bass fishing in the wind it’s important to remember these two things: castability and catchability. You’ll need a heavier lure that allows you to make long casts against the wind and one that has some vibration and flash to it.
Where to fish when It gets windy? A lot of anglers shy away from the wind not realizing that some of the best fishing spots are going to be those windy banks where the baitfish get pushed up into shallow water. Other great windy spots are going to be flats, points, mouths of creeks and weed bed areas.
What makes a great windy lure? In my opinion the best wind bass fishing lures and baits are the ones that have some flash and vibration to them that also allow you to cast far and into the wind. The flash and vibration will help the bass pick up your lure in water turbulence and a heavier lure will get you more distance, making it easier to cover water and detect bites and structure.
Final Thoughts
There are way too many anglers that head out for a fishing trip and as soon as they find strong wind or rolling waves they pack it up and head back home. What they don’t realize is that they are missing out on some awesome fishing opportunities.
Bass fishing in the wind can bring some challenges and be tough at times, but if you use the right lures and focus on key areas, you’ll have some killer days out on the lake.
The next time your faced with windy conditions give the lures I mentioned in this article a try you won’t be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out our other great content.
Tight Lines!