BigBendFishing.Net

Knowing that there are major differences based on the size of boat and what type of fishing, I'm wondering what criteria everyone uses to determine if they will fish on a given day when the weather may be in question. Looking at tomorrows forcast I'm out. I tend to look at the wave forcast and if they are over 4 ft I'm staying home. I don't pay much attention the the rain forecast because those guys get it wrong more times than right. Just wanting to get some more perspective from the guys who know.

If it's coming over the bow and transom, I just slow down a little

Depends on whether you have to cross deep water or not.....Say St. Andrews bay....if the wind is 20 knts out of the south and I want to fish the south bank....I'm not going to launch on the north side because I have to cross 10-20 foot water and that can get nasty...I will launch on the south side and work my through shallow water to get to my spot.

Knowing your boats limitations and the safety of you and your party is the most important thing though...

If it's over 3ft off shore I don't go. I like to enjoy my fishing, not get beat up. It's also rare that the conditions improve after I'm out there. Maybe it's just my luck

Good morning Tod.

Well now... this could take a while. We (as of this morning) have 972 registered users. Some of us may have more than one set of weather criteria that govern whether we go fishing or not. I certainly can not speak for others and IMO you won't find a general guide line being promoted that you should rely on. Your equipment, Your experience level, where your going to fish(river, lake, flats) will all impact someone's decision to go or not. All this being said, if the forcast looks something like.....

TODAY
SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 KNOTS...INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS
IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET...BUILDING TO 4 TO 5 FEET. PROTECTED
WATERS A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP...BECOMING CHOPPY.

TONIGHT
SOUTHWEST WIND 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 5 FEET.
PROTECTED WATERS CHOPPY. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SATURDAY
SOUTHWEST WIND 15 TO 20 KNOTS BECOMING WEST IN THE
AFTERNOON. SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET. PROTECTED WATERS CHOPPY.
THUNDERSTORMS AND SHOWERS LIKELY. SOME THUNDERSTORMS MAY BE
SEVERE.

Then don't expect to see me on the flats tomorrow

Yep, that forcast says river or lake fishin ta me Not that it'd be to rough ta fish inshore, just not comfortable I find that comfort takes precedents over the desire to catch any paticular fish as I grow older That being said, I generally don't make the decision on just where I will be going untill that morning I will check the bouys http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Florida.shtml then the local radar http://www.intellicast.com/IcastPage/Lo ... e&pid=none then the Marine forcast http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/GM/755.html and decide if it will be safe "if I really want to go in the big pond" or comfortable if I just want ta fish somewhere

Weather, NOAA, 1-2 = 4, 2-3 =6 and so on so basically 1 or less will usually be a real nice day and 1-2 will probably blow up some decent sea's sometime during the day, usually in the am...

For a S or SW wind, I can fish my 17' flats boat in 10-15 mph fine enough, but 15-20, not worth it for me. Over 15, even if you find a spot, casting becomes a real pain.

Like Sir Reel said this will take some time... I like wevans ideas and suggestions also.... Myself? To learn how to handle your boat under adverse conditions, you've got to put your self out there in all conditions (I am assuming you have common sense and will exercise it..)
I've been out there under almost every condition (with the exception of hurricane force winds) daytime, rainy, windy, foggy, even pulled a few all nighters. I learned to prefer early pre-dawn fishing on fair weather days 0-5mph winds. But get out there just for the learning experience. Get lost in the fog and you'll really learn how to use your GPS.... You can't talk about it unless you have been out there in it, and experienced it. Go when the weather winds and rain are tolerable.....

Today the wind was steady at about 10-12mph. The waves were 1 or less. Made for a good drift not too fast not too slow. Caught a double limit of trout and reds.