How to fish a Rage Swimmer in cool windy conditions? You have to fish with the conditions, even when a little rougher and windier. KVD reels in a big ‘un in windy conditions. Check out what a @StrikeKingLure Rage Swimmer can do for you when you fish it the right way along the bottom.
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Fishing for Smallmouth bass can be rewarding, but it often requires adapting to unpredictable conditions, especially when strong winds come into play.
While windy days might be less than ideal, they don’t have to ruin your fishing experience. Here’s a guide on making the most of challenging weather, choosing the right tackle, and understanding the fish’s behavior in colder waters.
How to fish a Rage Swimmer: The Challenge of Windy Days
“One man, the wind is just gassing” — it’s a sentiment many anglers know all too well. Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather or always choose the perfect day to fish. When the wind kicks up, it’s tempting to head for calmer waters, but seasoned anglers know to use it to their advantage. To make the most of these conditions, it’s essential to adapt your approach.
Fishing in high wind isn’t easy, but it’s an opportunity to challenge yourself and test different techniques. Sometimes, the best option is to cast faster-moving lures, but on cold days, when the water remains chilly, a different approach is necessary.
Adjusting to Cold Water Conditions
Even though the wind may be pushing you to fish quickly, Smallmouth bass often stays in colder, deeper waters in the spring, making a slower technique more effective. Cold water means that Smallmouth are less likely to chase fast-moving bait. Instead, they prefer to stay close to the bottom, conserving their energy as they look for food.
For such situations, try a “325 Raid Swimmer,” a reliable choice when fish are holding deep. Slowly dragging it along the bottom, or “scruffing it,” is often the key to success.
Choosing the Right Lure and Technique
With the wind blowing hard, you’re not just battling the elements; you’re also contending with the fish’s mood. A slower-moving bait, like the 325 Raid Swimmer, is perfect for these conditions.
By skipping it along the bottom, you can mimic natural prey and attract more bites. Ed rigs are also a great choice, particularly when you need to feel your way around the structure on the lake bed where Smallmouth often linger.
A strategic approach involves starting with a faster search in the windier areas to locate where the fish are schooling. Then, once you’ve identified a promising spot, switch to slower baits, taking advantage of the structure and letting the lure work along the bottom.
Targeting Transition Zones in Spring
Spring fishing for Smallmouth often means finding transitional areas where these bass tend to gather as they prepare to move closer to their spawning zones. Windy conditions, combined with these areas, can bring in hungry Smallmouth, as these spots offer plenty of food and protection.
As the weather warms and the fish move towards these zones, look for places where different bottom structures meet, such as gravel mixing with sand or rock piles near mud flats.
Once you find a good transition, focus your efforts there. These transition zones, especially during spring, are ideal locations where Smallmouth are likely to set up and wait for an easy meal.
Making the Most of Every Opportunity
Fishing in tough conditions requires resilience and a willingness to adapt. While the wind can be a challenge, it’s also an opportunity to refine your skills and build confidence. You may not get to pick the days you fish, but you can make each outing productive and enjoyable by adjusting to the conditions.
So, the next time the wind picks up and the water’s cold, don’t pack it in. Grab a slower-moving bait like the 325 Raid Swimmer, target those transition zones, and remember that Smallmouth fishing is about working with the elements rather than against them.
