Wind direction - fluke fishing

[porgylber]

Question for the group. I hope to hop on a party boat in the next 2 or 3 days. I know that a good drift is key. Is there a wind direction that is particularly poor for fluke fishing? Am I better off with an east wind versus a west or southwest wind? Thanks!

[Bigdaddyhockey]

I think it will depend on the direction of the current. Any wind that blows directly against the current will affect the drift.

[BCinerie]

On the ocean a south wind will chill water.

[CadiShackFishing]

West is best.

[Mike K]

I think it depends where you're planning to fish and which direction the current is running, recognizing that the direction the current is running can change on incoming vs. outgoing tide. There are so many variables to fishing that if I ever stopped worry about them, I'd never get out of bed. So now I just go regardless, so long as it's not blowing too hard. A guy once said Northeast can turn the fluke off, but I've seen it turn on in a Northeast. It's true that a South wind can chill the water, but that doesn't mean it will chill the water because the water doesn't know it's supposed to chill whenever it blows south.

[ALS Mako]

just go fishing:)

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

^^^ w i n n e r ^^^

[mikeytheflop]

http://www.njfishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82405

[Papasown]

Don't think so much.......Just enjoy the trip, and catch 'em up........Papa

[Charlie B]

If you are on a party boat you have a captain with years of experience with all different wind conditions. He will know what to do and how to position the boat to best take advantage of the conditions at hand. On a private boat you have to figure out those things yourself to be successful. So just go and have fun...Charlie

[Gerry Zagorski]

Question for the group. I hope to hop on a party boat in the next 2 or 3 days. I know that a good drift is key. Is there a wind direction that is particularly poor for fluke fishing? Am I better off with an east wind versus a west or southwest wind? Thanks!

Unless it blowing really hard don't concern yourself with the wind direction. Captain's change their locations based on the wind direction and tide to put you in a spot where the conditions are most favorable.

Go when you can... These Captain know exactly what they are doing and where to go based on the conditions at any given moment...

[porgylber]

This is what I was referring to. Below is a party boat captain's update on Facebook today.

Unfortunately the fluke nor the sea bass seemed to cooperate. The both had lock jaw. Maybe just too much southeast wind. It wasn't cause of lack of effort that is for sure. Hope it's better tomorrow.

So, if I see the forecast calls for southeast winds, should I avoid going? It seems like at a minimum, it will negatively affect fishing.

[NoLimit]

A SE wind and outgoing tide makes for good fishing inside SH bay if that's where they are.

[Mike K]

This is what I was referring to. Below is a party boat captain's update on Facebook today.

Unfortunately the fluke nor the sea bass seemed to cooperate. The both had lock jaw. Maybe just too much southeast wind. It wasn't cause of lack of effort that is for sure. Hope it's better tomorrow.

So, if I see the forecast calls for southeast winds, should I avoid going? It seems like at a minimum, it will negatively affect fishing.
"Too Much" is the operative phrase. There's no specific wind direction that turns the fish off everywhere all the time. So like a couple of the guys said, "Just Go". What's the worse that could happen?

[Capt. Debbie]

Like the man said JUST GO. You're way over thinking it.

I would worry about the winds 20 knots & above. THAT will affect a drift and likely a Go - No go decision too.



"Too Much" is the operative phrase. There's no specific wind direction that turns the fish off everywhere all the time. So like a couple of the guys said, "Just Go". What's the worse that could happen?

[Man Workin]

If your picking a day to go fishing and you don't go much stay away from south east or heavy south it will shut down the bite. West is always best.

[bulletbob]

If your picking a day to go fishing and you don't go much stay away from south east or heavy south it will shut down the bite. West is always best.

West is best,agreed.. N/NW is ok as well, but not after a front when its a strong N or NW wind, and clear bluebird skies. Those cold/clear air fronts seem to turn the bite off in all types of fishing.. Mild winds out of the N are ok, but from what I have seen, we just don't seem to get enough days of N/NE/E/NW direction winds when the wind speeds are moderate.. I have had some good fishing trips in a mild E wind, but usually E winds are howling..
South winds suck period, unless its a mild SW flow, which again, just doesn't happen enough.. You just gotta go when you can and hope conditions are right on that day... bob

[Man Workin]

Well said B.B

[1captainron]

West wind, incoming tide in Sandy Hook or Raritan bay is NOT BEST......That's called wind against!

EAST WIND & Hard incoming today kept us from where we have been fishing in the Ocean, with a good drift in the bay and the lack of fish there, it was Miserable.

Point is, A good Captain will bust their ass for you but we can only do so much.....JUST FISH and forget trying to hit it perfect.

[Capt Sal]

Some people make reports and some read them!:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[bulletbob]

West wind, incoming tide in Sandy Hook or Raritan bay is NOT BEST......That's called wind against!

EAST WIND & Hard incoming today kept us from where we have been fishing in the Ocean, with a good drift in the bay and the lack of fish there, it was Miserable.

Point is, A good Captain will bust their ass for you but we can only do so much.....JUST FISH and forget trying to hit it perfect.


With a brisk wind and a hard incoming you are right of course, but most of us small boaters would prefer a mild west wind any day for most near shore saltwater fishing, especially in the ocean. However, most guys have to just get out when they can, wind speed and direction be damned...bob

[Man Workin]

Hey Captain Ron,
Sorry I wasn't more specific I didn't know that angler was talking about fishing up by you guys. Out of our Inlet, Shark River I prefer the west. Pretty cool how conditions can differ in such close proximity. Capt. Sal I'm on Iblackfish.com and I would be happy to PM you my user name so you could see some of my reports. I don't have one ounce of aggression in that statement and hope we can share intel. I am a weekend warrior due to my lovely family, but remain safe always. Happy Father's Day to all.
Brian