Wind direction and its importance?

[Sweetwrasse]

Hi folks, trying to get my head around wind direction and its importance to sea fishing. Looking at reports from the last week it seems that easterly winds are poor for fishing generally over the whole country. I can understand this on the west coast as it kills the surf but why is it such a problem on the east coast as long as the winds are not too strong and dragging up weed? Probably a very basic question but I'm looking forward to your theories!

[shamoo0804]

Cant answer your question directly, but I think the general consensus on the east coast is that the fishing is best for the few days after a good easterly, especially for bass and cod.

The weed can be a problem though.

[saving private brian]

when the wind is from the east,is when the fish will bit the least,,,but when the wind is from the west,is when the fishing can be at its best

[Donnyboy1]

First thing is wind pushes the top few layers of the water column. This affect can pile up the phytoplankton, which results in baitfish fishing there and predators congregating there.


But the problem with this is you really need to know the underwater environment to know where the kelp, sand and rock structures are. Millenniums of prevailing current and wind have forged paths through the underwater world that food and fish travel along, when an opposing wind blows it can mess it all up meaning food does not make it to the fish and the water can get cloudy and weedier more than normal. To counteract this you will need to dive the area's you fish to see what will suit the area.... or just fish the days you know fish well for you.

To make it even worse!!
Different winds come from different directions. Our SW comes from the gulf stream which is also the prevailing current and combined they push warmth and food to our shores and encourage the fish to feed. S winds roll in from Africa over Spain and if they get to use (rarely) they just stirup the water. Easterly ain't so bad but NE and N are very cold coming down in a line from the poles usually when a band of low pressure appears and this can have a cooling effect on the water driving the thermoclines deeper which push the fish deeper or further out.

But sometimes a little wind from any direction is better than no wind and sometimes glass is best?

I'd update the oldwives tale to 'SW is best and NE fishes least'

[yappo]

Think the best thing to do is go out and enjoy your fishing. Some days you will catch jack sh1t other days you will catch loads but every day you should be enjoying fishing.
Easterlies do tend to be less productive but given the choice of going fishing or not going fishing I know what my choice would be.

Just my 2 cents

Yappo

[Danny M.]

Regardless of wind direction, if you are confidant after you asses your mark on arrival you will catch fish.

Danny.

[Sweetwrasse]

Cheers for the replies lads That's a bit more knowledge in the bank. Will hopefully help me to 'find the fish' a bit more.

[jerryfromkerry]

Think the best thing to do is go out and enjoy your fishing. Some days you will catch jack sh1t other days you will catch loads but every day you should be enjoying fishing.
Easterlies do tend to be less productive but given the choice of going fishing or not going fishing I know what my choice would be.

Just my 2 cents

Yappo

+ 1.