AI Winds

[Orest]

Seem like the ideal direction is NE. Can I ask why?
Is it because you can cast further or some other reason?

If you can't get a NE wind, what is your next best wind direction?

[fishhead]

Orest ... I'm certainly no expert, but I believe that the NE wind is believed to push baitfish back towards the beach, and the big fish (hopefully) will follow. I believe E and SE winds may be the next best wind direction.

Unfortunately, the "best" wind direction also lends itself to being generally colder (wind coming off the water) and in your face (shortens the cast). Like anything else, it's just a tendency, but it get's you thinking whenever you're there getting skunked in a W or SW wind and you see a flock of gulls diving about 1/2 mile off the beach!

[Orest]

I had that backwards. A NE wind would shorten your cast and be in your face.

[cygnus-x1]

I am now expert either but a co-worker of mine that does VERY well at AI always squawks about winds coming from the South. SE I think is his favorite but anything southerly is good. Now he fishes the bottom part of AI near the VA line and he likes the winds bring warmer water from the gulf up onto the shore which helps bring the fish closer to the shore.

[Fishbreath]

And is the assumption that the wind we're going to have this weekend after Turkey Day (NW) is bad?? Or just not optimal?

[Axon]

Wind look like they will not be optimal. Can still catch fish but a NE wind increases your odds 10 fold this time of year. just my 2 cents

[Axon]

Wed
NW winds 25 kt...becoming W 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 5 ft.
Wed Night
SW winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft.
Thu
SW winds 25 kt. Seas 6 to 7 ft.
Thu Night
W winds 25 to 30 kt...becoming NW 20 to 25 kt after midnight. Seas 6 to 7 ft.
Fri
NW winds 20 to 25 kt...decreasing to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 5 ft.
Fri Night
NW winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
Sat
NW winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
Sun
NW winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.

[Fishbreath]

You need to clear some space in your mailbox.

[Fishbreath]

Got my waders and wool socks ready along with some Poly thermals and I'm going to bring a propane heater as well, not to mention my buddy Jack Daniels. Any more thoughts on the beating the weather (cold) :eek:

[sand flea]

The important thing is to get the wind in your face. In most locations, that's an easterly wind. (At Chick's Beach, it's a NW; on the backside of the Point, it's a SW).

Northeast is the prevailing condition in the fall/early winter and signals to the fish that it's time to migrate. They gang up in the surfline to feed and head south.

The exception to this rule is in the spring when the water is cold and the fish are lethargic. Then, you want a warm wind from on land where the warm air mixes in with the surf and brings it up several degrees.

This time of year, the NE is the best wind but it can be very rough to fish.

[Fishbreath]

Thanks Flea! Great info for up and down the coastal states. Between you and DD, you've got it covered!

Guess we're going to do our best right after Turkey Day. Shame we weren't down in Rodanthe for the Drummie-Fest...

[sand flea]

I leave tomorrow morning :D. But I totally muffed my vacation. I'm off through this weekend, then I drive all the way back here to work three days, then back south again the following weekend for Wilbur's shindig.

[Fishbreath]

Lucky you. At least you'll be there, albeit, on and off. I may try and sneak down there around the 8th and 9th, and then later around Christmas. Either way, its glorious in Paradise! ;)

[Axon]

done

[shaggy]

This time of year, the NE is the best wind but it can be very rough to fish.

Yup, what flea said, this time of year NE, and if lucky rain or snow, makes for even less of us idiots out there, and more beach room for those of us who my wife has determined are crazy for even thinking about it, and just totally out of my mind to follow through (but when I get antsy, or moving toward an attitude, she is the first to say, "aren't you and Gary going fishing to AI soon?"), NE winds, strong, temps, low, percipitation, who cares, this is the best time of year on the Island!

Have Jeep will travel :D

[Orest]

for the great info. Come on Nor'easter.

[Axon]

Sunday and Monday are looking better

Overnight
SW winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. A chance of light rain and snow early...then showers and light snow likely..
Thu
SW winds 20 to 25 kt...becoming W 25 to 30 kt in the afternoon. Gusts up to 40 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. A chance of sprinkles in the morning.
Thu Night
W winds 25 to 30 kt...becoming NW 20 to 25 kt after midnight. Gusts up to 40 kt. Seas 6 to 7 ft.
Fri
NW winds 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt... decreasing to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 5 ft.
Fri Night
NW winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
Sat
NW winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
Sat Night
NW winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
Sun
Se winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
Mon
Se winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.

[shaggy]

Got my waders and wool socks ready along with some Poly thermals and I'm going to bring a propane heater as well, not to mention my buddy Jack Daniels. Any more thoughts on the beating the weather (cold) :eek:

Layers, and some nice outerwear (me have a nice Gortex set, pants and jacket) to block the wind. If you can block the wind in the cold, and have layerer clothing, almost anything is bearable.

Not optimal, and maybe not real comfortable conditions, WNW at 10 - 20 mph, chilly, high around 40 degrees, but an idiot must do what an idiot must do.

Well, the Boss says I can go tomorrow (guess when she saw my bonus check, she figured, well he don't like shopping anyways :eek: ). Might see some out there, hoping to arrive by 6:00am, low just after 8 or 8:30, and fishing hard through the sunset :cool: .

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and good luck.

Have Jeep will travel :D

[Fishbreath]

Layers, and some nice outerwear (me have a nice Gortex set, pants and jacket) to block the wind. If you can block the wind in the cold, and have layerer clothing, almost anything is bearable.

Not optimal, and maybe not real comfortable conditions, WNW at 10 - 20 mph, chilly, high around 40 degrees, but an idiot must do what an idiot must do.

Well, the Boss says I can go tomorrow (guess when she saw my bonus check, she figured, well he don't like shopping anyways :eek: ). Might see some out there, hoping to arrive by 6:00am, low just after 8 or 8:30, and fishing hard through the sunset :cool: .

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and good luck.

Have Jeep will travel :D

Hey Shaggy,

Thanks for the info. I'll be layered and this just in...the boss says to bring my son as well. Gonna have to dress him real well. He'll probably wear his ski pants and thermals. They block wind great. He loves to fish, caught a 5 foot hammerhead in NC this year along with a citation flounder and speck.

I'm going to try and get there around 9-ish tomorrow since my boy is coming along and we'll fish through the sunset as well. You going to A.I.? If so, look for a green Jeep Cherokee Sport with a rear rack. Axon and I will try and hook up on the beach. Drop me a PM and your #. :)

[Axon]

Sorry guys but my hunting buddy wants to head west on Saturday for opener, so no AI for me tomorrow. I will most likely head out to AI during the week.

[Fishbreath]

Was just outside. MAN!! Its chilly out there.

Mike, we'll catch you on the rebound. I'll be out there on A.I. though. Shivering and catching...fish? :D

Shaggy, if you're on the beach, we'll see you there.

Gotta hook 'em to cook 'em!

FB

[shaggy]

Well, little bit behind schedule this morning, but the Jeep is loaded, and eastbound I am. Hope all had a great Thanksgiving.

Windy out here this morning, and chilly, but figure, windier and warmer by the water. Excluding the winds, feels like striper weather.

Have Jeep will travel :D

[murphman]

Shaggy,
Tight lines brother and keep warm I know there is a 50# in the suds with your name on it! :)

Murph

[shaggy]

Hey Murph hope you and family had a good one. Alas "No Fish Today". Lines in water just after 7am and fished until about 4, without as much as a bite. Arrived, winds were definately around, and temps were around 23 degrees, so was a bitch of a morning. WInds NW around 12, so tossing bait was fairly easy. No crabs, no shark no nothing until getting ready to bring in the second to last rod, and wow, a skate, go figure.

Talked to the ranger for awhile, he saw one 42" and heard of one other around 46", but other than that up and down the beach, even the skate were out of town for the holiday weekend.

Hung out with a bud from another neighborhood (not to promote another board), so the company was good and had fun. He spoke to friend who talked to people fishing from Fenwick down to OC and they were having the same luck. So the group I could see, about a total of 20 or so rods I know of two skate caught, that's it.

On the way off the Island, ran into Fishbreath and his little "fish", was nice meeting both of you guys, and chatted a bit, thanks for the cold one FB, been awhile since I had a Fosters, and sorry couldn't stay longer, but either cold or work or lack of bites made me decide, time to go. Afternoon (3ish) winds did calm and temps became more comfortable, but know tonight will be a bear.

Until next trip, that's my report! Always fun on the Island, and well the weather is as much as one should expect this time of year. Figure three or four more shots at one with my name on it before the water gets too cold.

Have Jeep wil travel :D

[Fishbreath]

Hey Murph hope you and family had a good one. Alas "No Fish Today". Lines in water just after 7am and fished until about 4, without as much as a bite. Arrived, winds were definately around, and temps were around 23 degrees, so was a bitch of a morning. WInds NW around 12, so tossing bait was fairly easy. No crabs, no shark no nothing until getting ready to bring in the second to last rod, and wow, a skate, go figure.

Talked to the ranger for awhile, he saw one 42" and heard of one other around 46", but other than that up and down the beach, even the skate were out of town for the holiday weekend.

Hung out with a bud from another neighborhood (not to promote another board), so the company was good and had fun. He spoke to friend who talked to people fishing from Fenwick down to OC and they were having the same luck. So the group I could see, about a total of 20 or so rods I know of two skate caught, that's it.

On the way off the Island, ran into Fishbreath and his little "fish", was nice meeting both of you guys, and chatted a bit, thanks for the cold one FB, been awhile since I had a Fosters, and sorry couldn't stay longer, but either cold or work or lack of bites made me decide, time to go. Afternoon (3ish) winds did calm and temps became more comfortable, but know tonight will be a bear.

Until next trip, that's my report! Always fun on the Island, and well the weather is as much as one should expect this time of year. Figure three or four more shots at one with my name on it before the water gets too cold.

Have Jeep wil travel :D

Hey Shaggy, it was a real pleasure meeting you as well on the beach. Sorry we couldn't have fished together. "Little Fish" thought it was very cool meeting you out there. Look forward to fishing with ya in the near future.

Well here's the report to pick up where you left off on A.I. this past weekend. After chatting with Shaggy for a bit, LittleFish and I moved into a little hole at high tide and proceeded to work it, lines at 10, 12, 2, and working metal with the light rod whenever the moment called for it. Had high-lows and FF's. Every now and then a flock of birds would start diving offshore, always just a bar too far and I threw lots of metal in their direction but was way short. Was waiting for the sun to set for the dusk to dark bite. Even fired up the propane heater to fight the oncoming chill and get the mood going in readiness for the night time bite. That bite turned into a skate and a shark. Not much to write home about. By the way, thanks for the extra bait Shaggy, it sure helped not having to pull more out of the ice and cut. The sky was crystal clear with a million stars out. LittleFish and I happily stared at them pointing out satellites and jets flying high overhead. We even saw a meteor streak across the sky.

Along about 8:30 that night, I pulled in the lines, turned off the heater, and headed for a warmer setting as temps were already below freezing and headed lower. Didn't want to push my luck with Littlefish getting cold. There was always the next day.

The next day we hit the beach at low tide and worked it all day and into the evening. Brought my bro-in-law and his son out with us. Not much better on Saturday but I was able to catch two schoolies on a metal shore lure, released them both and that was it. No runs, no hits, no errors, and no one left on base. We pulled off the beach just after dark as another beautiful star filled night sky graced us. Stopped and chatted with a couple of pods of fishermen, each with the same story - nothing to speak of. Drove up to Bethany Beach for the night.

The next day we stopped in at a couple of tackle shops to see if anyone had any luck. Much the same news up and down the beach from Bethany to OC to AI. Waiting on Mr. Striper. Either way, it was glorious on A.I. and I'll be back. Shooting for Oregon Inlet and Hatteras around Christmas/New Years to try my hand at Mr. Striper once again. It was a pleasure Shaggy, lets plan on some fishing some time soon. :)

FB