Is there's preferred method to get realtime weather and tide info for big lake?

[Chico]

I was wondering if there is a way to get real time info on the tides and weather on big lake? I already use weather channel etc. just wonder if there is something better and more accurate?


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["W"]

http://www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov...mode=composite

[Chico]

Originally Posted by "W"

http://www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov...mode=composite

Thanks Jeremy. That will be a big help


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[prattvan]

Originally Posted by "W"

http://www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov...mode=composite

Will that site show you the seas also ??

How can you tell what the waves will be like in Big Lake itself ?

I made a trip to Big Lake about 2 months ago. I had looked at the weather forecast on several sites. It showed almost no wind 2-4 mph. BUT, when I got to Hebert's, the waves were white capping. Very very rough.

["W"]

Originally Posted by prattvan

Will that site show you the seas also ??

How can you tell what the waves will be like in Big Lake itself ?

I made a trip to Big Lake about 2 months ago. I had looked at the weather forecast on several sites. It showed almost no wind 2-4 mph. BUT, when I got to Hebert's, the waves were white capping. Very very rough.

Waves depend on a few things

One major factor is tide vs wind

If you have hard falling tide with good south wind it will buck the water and cause rough conditions along the strongest moving water

[prattvan]

Originally Posted by "W"

Waves depend on a few things

One major factor is tide vs wind

If you have hard falling tide with good south wind it will buck the water and cause rough conditions along the strongest moving water

Thanks W. appreciate the advice. I'm one that is always wanting to learn, and willing to listen.

[Natural Light Kid]

Originally Posted by "W"

Waves depend on a few things

One major factor is tide vs wind

If you have hard falling tide with good south wind it will buck the water and cause rough conditions along the strongest moving water

Great point.

[mcjaredsandwich]

I use wunderground and always find it is pretty accurate. No tide but good weather forecast.

www.wunderground.com

[Chico]

Originally Posted by mcjaredsandwich

I use wunderground and always find it is pretty accurate. No tide but good weather forecast.

www.wunderground.com

Thanks for info


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[thunderstruck]

Use this website for the wind. It is the station by the fishing pier in Cameron. We find it is better for wind on big lake than the Lake Charles station.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=capl1

[TroutSupport.com]

Similarly, here is a site where you can get both the Cameron info and info for top of the lake as well. Don't really need it right now.. but in the future.

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ofs...kecharles.html

[Wood]

The windfinder app is pretty good for me on android too, I use it to keep tabs on calcasieu pass, big lake, and Toledo at the same time. Been pretty accurate so far.

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[Chico]

One more question. I have a 19 ft bay stealth. From you guys experience what wind speed or seas would you call it a no go for big lake? Just looking for a starting point because I drive from Jennings to get there.


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[TroutSupport.com]

Originally Posted by Chico

One more question. I have a 19 ft bay stealth. From you guys experience what wind speed or seas would you call it a no go for big lake? Just looking for a starting point because I drive from Jennings to get there.


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I'll let the guys on the lake speak specifically to the conditions of the lake.

But I've always found ways to get out of a big blow. If you need to go find some marsh cuts and fish for flounder and reds.

Usually anything above 15 get's a good bit choppy... 15 -18 is usually still fishable in some areas but won't be super comfortable. Also depends on direction as well, and as W mentioned the tide direction as well.

[Chico]

Originally Posted by TroutSupport.com

I'll let the guys on the lake speak specifically to the conditions of the lake.



But I've always found ways to get out of a big blow. If you need to go find some marsh cuts and fish for flounder and reds.



Usually anything above 15 get's a good bit choppy... 15 -18 is usually still fishable in some areas but won't be super comfortable. Also depends on direction as well, and as W mentioned the tide direction as well.

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[Chico]

Originally Posted by Chico

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Thanks


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[Marque]

Originally Posted by Chico

One more question. I have a 19 ft bay stealth. From you guys experience what wind speed or seas would you call it a no go for big lake? Just looking for a starting point because I drive from Jennings to get there.


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With big lake it all depends on the tide and where you are in the lake. To me the lake seems to be worst on North winds. Especially if the tide is coming in. All that water seems to meet up just south of Commissary Point. The seas can look manageable from Hebert's only to come around the point and find stacked 3 footers. The washout area of the ship channel gets bad pretty much anytime the wind and tide are at odds. I am pretty sure it opens up into another dimension with a rising tide and a NE Wind. Tidal range and speed are nearly as import as wind when trying to guestimate the lakes conditions.

So the lake may be fine to cross in 15 mph winds one minute and a nightmare the next. Days where the forecasted winds are 10-15 are doable if you avoid certain situations but they still aren't all that fun and easy to fish in. If you go in anything breezier than that don't take any women, children, or anyone who isn't really mad at fish. Use an app that predicts the gust as well. All 15 mph winds are not created equal. If its gusting its twice as bad.

My best fishing trips seem to happen on windy days most people wouldn't dream of getting in a boat. They are rare. Most days the wind is howling turn out to be long, wet, and fish-less.

[ahlangle]

Here are some resources I use for planning ahead as I am not able to fish the area as often as needed to stay in the know:

Windfinder app (will show wave height predictions),
wunderground app,
NOAA marine forecast website (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/zone/gulf/lchmz.htm)
Water data USGS website (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=08017044)
Tides4fishing solunar data website (http://www.tides4fishing.com/us/louisiana/bulk-terminal)

[Chico]

Originally Posted by ahlangle

Here are some resources I use for planning ahead as I am not able to fish the area as often as needed to stay in the know:

Windfinder app (will show wave height predictions),
wunderground app,
NOAA marine forecast website (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/zone/gulf/lchmz.htm)
Water data USGS website (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=08017044)
Tides4fishing solunar data website (http://www.tides4fishing.com/us/louisiana/bulk-terminal)

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[Ghadafi8]

Fish weather app is very good also.