[cool] Most float tubers feel the same way I do about wind. We'd druther not have to contend with it. It can be worse, when fishing from a bass boat, with a trolling motor, trying to maintain position, but wind is never any angler's favorite weather condition.
There are several factors that come into play when you are dealing with breezes in your flimsy craft. They are wind direction and strength, the size and shape of your flotation craft (tube, uboat, pontoon, etc.), the size and type of fins you are wearing and last...but not least...your physical strength and condition.
I like a light breeze. I refer to it as a "fishing riffle", because it helps break up the surface and reduces the potential for fish to be spotted by predators from above. Fish seem to be more confident and active when there is such a surface disturbance. Unless it escalates to "prevailing winds", it is not hard to move around and maintain position for casting.
It is always easier to move with the wind than against it. On many lakes there is a pattern where there is a morning breeze blowing one direction...and then a period of calm, followed by the breezes blowing back the other way. If you know this, you can use it to your advantage by launching and fishing downwind during the morning, and then following the changing wind direction back to your vehicle later.
On far too many occasions, a stout breeze comes up without warning, while you are out on the water. As long as you can maneuver and cast effectively, it is more a nuisance than a trip terminator. However, you will use more energy by having to constantly kick against the wind. And, the best way to fish in windy conditions is to position yourself upwind from your intended fishing spot and to cast downwind to the fish zone. It's difficult to fish with the wind on either side...because you lose position quickly and the wind bows your line, making it tough to feel strikes...especially on light tackle.
It's almost impossible to fish well casting into the wind. That's what's tough about fishing from a bass boat in the wind. You need to keep the bow pointed into the wind, and cast ahead of the boat. In a float tube, you maintain position with steady even kicks, and cast easily downwind.
When the wind becomes heavy enough that you can't hold position, you either need an anchor or you should leave the water. You will beat yourself to death for much tougher fishing. Only when the smallies or walleyes are stacked up on a windblown shoreline will I continue to buck the waves.
The worst case scenario is when you are a long ways from your vehicle, and take out spot, and a heavy wind jumps up, with big straight-sided waves...blowing straight away from where you need to go to get out safely. Now you will find out how tough you are and how well your craft rides the waves. Prepare to take some water over your stern as you power your way into the waves.
This is where some of the other factors come into play. A round tube rides lower in the water and is less likely to be blown around easily by the wind. On the other hand, it provides more water resistance when you are applying power to move through heavy water. Pontoons can be a tradeoff. They let you ride higher on the water, but catch the wind more and are more susceptible to being blown all over the place...unless you mantain perfect direction into the wind. You get a greater transfer of power to move a kick boat or pontoon, but it is often necessary to compensate for the increased wind resistance on the larger profile.
Similarly, the type of swim fins you strap on can make a big difference. for paddling around a farm pond, you can get by with almost anything. For navigating rivers, big lakes or salt water, you should acquire and use the biggest and best fins you can afford and the strength to operate. You can have fins that are too small, but never fins that are too powerful...especially when the wind kicks up. The first time you have to fight your way a mile back to your take out spot, against any kind of wind or current, you will be thankful for blowing more money than you wanted to, for the bigger fins.
If you regularly fish where wind or current is a likely event, consider one of the pointed bow models of flotation craft...such as the Outcast Fat Cat series. Their unique design helps you fight the fight when Mother Nature wants to push you around.
Above all else, use common sense and basic safety as your guide. If the forecast is for wind, plan something else or at least find a protected cove...and stay there. If you find yourself in a sudden squall, that you can't fight against, you may need to allow the wind to take you to another shore, where you can get out and wait out the storm. They often quiet down as quickly as they come up. If possible, angle across the waves to find a cove within easier access of your vehicle.. I know tubers who have had long windy rides across
lakes...and then had to hitch rides with compassionate boaters. Makes a good case for carrying radio, telephone and/or signal flares when launching on big waters.
Well, Dave, did that answer your questions? Did I just complete convincing you that you never want to get in a tube?
[signature]
