throughout the years Ive heard all sorts of theories and opinions about SMALL bait (rainbait, silversides, tiny peanuts) and the wind. Some say the bait will swim into the wind, some say the bait will be blown whatever direction the wind is going, and some say "baitfish do what they want, F the wind"

my theory is anything over a gentle breeze (5-10) pushed that small bait, they can't fight that current / wind. But I have heard many anglers who have many years on me on the water say the opposite!

What's your theory?

Low wind- current moves them. High winds, wind moves them. However, predation moves them the most.
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I try not to overthink it too much. As Nebe notes there are
other factors to bait movement. Predation, migration,
forage, water temps....etc...etc...

I am not the best angler....and do not get that technical
with my analysis. I like it to be more of an improvisation.

There have been many times I have been at a spot in
"Prime" tide and wind conditions and blanked. Other
times....wrong tide and wrong wind and have had awesome fishing.

I would say small bait moves more with the tides and currents they are dependent on these forces because of their small size and lack the abilities to overcome the effects..

unlike bigger bunker or macks wind has more of a surface effect wind and waves over a longer period of time will move bait reguardless of their size that how i see it

IMO Wrong ><>

Wind doesn’t “blow” bait into a shoreline. Wind does at times blow the warmer surface water which is full of marine micro-organisms into a shoreline which then attracts baitfish, which then attracts predators.

I have also heard at a surf seminar that bait will swim against the wind, any truth to that statement?
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This is, I think, mainly a freshwater thing. In a lake or pond, the small baitfish generally are on the windward side. I believe wind has much more influence in lakes as the wind is the primary force acting on the water. In saltwater tide is the primary force, with wind as a much lesser factor, so in areas with a lot of tide current wind may not effect bait at all, while when there is slow or no tide current wind may effect bait.

thanks for the all the replies! good stuff!

Like water flowing over a surface, they will follow the path of least resistance...unless they are being preyed upon.

Then they swim like hell away from the predator!