Being land locked for years, I kind of know how to deal with the wind on land but on the water is a whole other critter. Also being in the desert Southwest, we regularly get winds up to 25 mph.
I guess my question could be, up to what wind speed are you all comfortable with while in a float tube (U-Tube)? I know donuts, tubes, and toons all act and react differently in the wind, I’m still interested in all input.
David
Hey Powemaker, We all know that Donuts and Coffee are an excellent idea and very good combination.
When it comes to tubing, donuts and wind don’t mix too well. There are circumstances where the wind can be used to your advantage and disadvantage.
advantage example:
You have a lake that is calm in the morning and a good wind from the North in the afternoon. Park on the South side of the lake, paddle your butt to the North side to fish and wait for the afternoon breeze to blow you back.
disadvantage example:
assume the aforementioned but the wind decided to blow the opposite dirrection this time.[pirate]
There are a few more but I don’t want to use them all up on the first post. I will save some for the other tubers to chime in as well.
Hey there Powermaker,
When I chime-in, everyone probably hears 'ding-a-ling’
In a way it kinda depends on what kind of fishing your doing. As TubeN2 can tell you, the wind can be your friend or foe. Freshwater ‘situations’ can get dicey for sure but… Saltwater ‘situations’ can quicky and easily become deadly.
Again, as TubeN2, plan the area you will cover, the prevelant wind conditions and … my contribution… look for an area that you could make a quick run-to-shore in an emergency… health, severe fatigue, wind/current, and … lightening!
JapanRon
Here in Utah, when we post a fishing report, we never write out the whole word. That dreaded nemesis of fisherfolk is simply “W”.
As you suspect, or have already found out, W is the worst thing that can happen to a flotation fisherman. I can deal with heat, cold, rain, sleet, hail, snow and mailmen. I can’t stay out in the wind very long. It messes up my fishing.
Besides having the potential for blowing you far away from where you want to be, wind makes it difficult (if not impossible) to hold position on a fishing spot. It messes up your casts and puts a bow in your line so that you can’t maintain good “touch” with what is going on below.
I do not knowingly plan a tubing trip when the forecast is for anything more than light breezes. If I see the wind coming up, while I am on the water, I make note of the wind direction and whether or not it could be a problem if the wind got stronger. If it is blowing in the direction I want to go when I want to return to my vehicle, it is not as much of a problem. If it is blowing away from your launching and beaching spot, you should head for shore before you can no longer power against the wind and waves.
If you are fishing on lakes large enough to have points and coves and channels, you can sometimes plan your trip around using one of them for a wind break in the event the wind comes up. I have waited out some stiff breezes on the lee side of a high point until the gusts died down and I could return to the main lake. Sometimes the fishing is better in the coves and you stay there for the duration.
As TN2 suggested, it is good to know the regular weather and wind patterns on the lake you fish. There are some that have morning zephyrs coming from one direction almost like clockwork. Right on schedule, late in the morning, the morning air movement quiets to dead calm, only to reverse the direction and blow steadily harder in the other direction all afternoon.
That makes it possible to have the wind at your back, coming and going, for a day of fishing. You can position your craft to allow you to keep casting downwing, as you move down a productive bank in the morning. When the wind changes and begins blowing the other way, simply turn around and cast or drift your way back the way you came earlier.
If you ever get caught in a sudden violent windstorm, don’t panic and try to fight against it. It will wear you out and stress you out. The law of W says that the worst windstorms always blow toward you, from the direction you want to return. If it is too powerful to fight against it, and you can’t maneuver into a protected cove, let go and ride it out. You may end up on a beach far from your vehicle, but you will be safe. Then hope that when the wind dies down there will be a boat with helpful occupants come by and offer to taxi you back to your vehicle. Sometimes it can be only a short hike to a road and you can hitchhike.
Del Canty, the reknowned fly fisherman and float tuber from Leadville, Colorado, was once overpowered by a big windstorm on Pyramid Lake in northern Nevada. He was blown clear across the wind-whipped lake and spent two days stranded on a remote beach before somebody rescued him.
Powermaker
I can’t speak about tubes or u-boats. But toons will react different, depending on the make and the size. I’m on my second one and they both re-act totally different.
HF
Thanks for all the input. Around Lake Mead the “W” typically doesn’t have any ryhme or reason. The “W” will blow in one direction and at the drop of a hat it will switch to the opposite direction.
Once again thanks,
David
We just had a report on the news of search and rescue being called out to rescue a float-tuber this past weekend. He got out on a lake that can get deadly when the wind blows hard.
Just use your common sense. For me, if I absolutely just have to go fishing and there are strong winds, I’ll go wade in a river than float tube.
later!
Hey there EmuScud,
I would say the most dangerous lake here in southern California is the Salton Sea! Flat desert surroundings. 6 foot waves can develop in a matter of an hour!!! Shallow wide expanse of water with the prevailing wind always blowing the same direction of the longest dimension of the lake!!!
Tubes, Toon, and Tin Boats Beware!
JapanRon
That describes Utah Lake to a tee. The fishing can be really good somedays though if one were a TubeDude. Carefull planning makes all the difference. In fact TD canceled a trip to Utah Lake because of the wind factor over this past weekend. The walleye are supposed to be getting frisky here soon.
later!
Hey Nate, howzit goin? We need to plan something our ownselves to see if we can interest some of those good-eatin’ wallies.
That planned trip with Chuck (UTWalleye) was difficult to cancel. We had been putting it together for a couple of weeks. But, since my mama already drowned all the dumb ones in the litter, I decided I would rather make it for another day, and live to see another day.
I can deal with almost any kind of weather but wind. Not the first trip I have either cancelled or shortened because of W.
Things here are busy. I bet I could swing an early Saturday morning, especially in October. Is that too late to play with the eyes?
October should be better than now. Let’s keep our daytimers in sync and get something going. I will be out of town on October 2 and 23. Other than that, a Saturday morning meetup would be doable.
Do you ever have time off on mondays?
jed
Not under current circumstances. Wish I did. Heck, I wish I didn’t have to work at all.
I always swore that I would marry a rich woman too proud to have her husband work. No such luck.
Better watch out. With that new addition to the family coming along, you may have to work overtime.
no such thing as overtime in retail comission sales,
jed
I’ve already been in my tube with white caps on the water. The fishcat 4 handled just fine. I was impressed