wind direction
 

I have always heard that fishing is the best when there is a southwest wind. I have never understood why the wind is such a factor?

SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST

A few things happen with a SW wind including making the bait hug along better parts of the shore in our areas and it brings WARMTH. SW winds are most often warm winds. We need all the warmth we can get...

Southwest is great in RI all season. In other areas , a different wind is hoped for. Depends on how the coast faces and the time of year.

..like mentioned above, a southernly wind will push the top water column north, including anything in it..ie:baitfish/sea-weed/etc..While the baitfish circle for safety, they have no choice but to follow the easiest path, sometimes swimming along the weeds. Fighting the water would make them an easier target for their predators. Picture a school of baitfish circling for safety...yet traveling east @1mph, now add 20mph winds from the southwest...which direction are they traveling now? If the wind is traveling @20mph...it could possibly make the top water column travel @3mph, therefore decreasing their progress by 2mph...I haven't done the math, but this is how I've seen things happen. Of course the tide is a very strong factor also with the exchange of water..

In the picture below, Ex. <A>..these baitfish are heading east while the wind is blowing from the southwest...as the top water column gets pushed, so do they...they could go deeper to escape being forced, but we all know whats waiting in the depths :)..so they stay up top. They will still try to follow the safest path. In the picture below.. they headed right towards the bowl, Ex. <B>...but eventually, when provoked, they will end up on your feet. Imagine what a couple of days with southwest winds could do. Most do better the days following the start of the winds, and also, most Rhode Island fishing locations face South. I'd imagine that saying originated in R.I....;)

Its just as easy to apply this formula to water temps...I just think it's a more gradual change. With the warmer water being south of us...and most fish migrating back from the south ;)...I'm sure you can do the math.

...I'm far from a marine biologist or meteorologist or even a gynecologist, this is just my $.02...this is how I've seen things go down in my experiences..

Happy Fishing

different locations and spots dictate different preferable winds. a "warm" wind is always preferable in the early season. although a sw wind is the most common in rhody, it's not always the most productive. as always, time on the water...

NE wind will put out ,its knowing where to Be.
dont forget barometric pressure has a big play in the fishing
so a sw wind there is ,well most the time good fishing due to the reading of the pressure. I would dare to say that from 29.5 20 30 .8 are good for fishing and thats on the rise.....
a ne blow makes slop here and it is pushing on shore as You would think the bass would be in the wash and bait pushed up.
But they sence the inclimete weater and move to deep water.
not saying You cant catch fish in it cause You Can But Like The Man above says exp is key to fishing.
When the pressure drops its usually a ne blow btw.........
Hope this Helps..

thanks for the info everyone, this helps me understand the theory better

I've noticed good results when the wind is blowing against the tide, like a SW wind blowing against the flood(moving west). Makes for a wet day in the boat though.