Big Lake advice

[AceArcher]

I'm looking for advice from everyone on what type of weather conditions / lake conditions to look for when heading down to BL.

I have a Alumcraft Alweld 1650CC with a 50hp yamaha and TM on it. It's been a great little boat for me that i used a lot on the chesapeake and tributaries while i lived in Maryland, and i have never felt unsafe in it because i don't ask it to do more than it can handle. It certainly is a solid boat for a lake like vernon etc. But it is a boat that i probably need to cherry pick my days on for big lake.

I do eventually intend to trade up to something in the 18-20ft range but for now this is what i have to work with.

Knowing that the area around big lake is flat as a pancake i doubt that you can ever really hide from the wind etc....... sooooooo what kind of forecast should i be looking at before making the commitment to drive the 2 hrs down.

Also are there any tips/tricks that i can look for on the web on when conditions will be the best on big lake? ie... what should i look for the salinity level being etc..

I would normally plan on launching out of the spicers area, and was wondering if i get a poor weather window is there any luck to be had in working the canals that lead from it to BL?

I appreciate any help that the Salty Cajun brain trust can gimme.

["W"]

http://www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov...type=Composite

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...ch&zmx=1&zmy=1


http://m.wxc.com/wx_map_loc_host.htm...C&legend=Radar


http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/klch/weather-radar-r1h

[AceArcher]

Thanks for the links, any advice on what types of forecasts that i should keep at... light chop or better?

for example the NOAA forecast for the lake typically says "light chop" for winds of 5-10 knots, I would think this is certainly do able for my little washtub? But every lake can be a bit different.


Thanks again.

[SaltyShaw]

If its blowing West or NorthWest stay home haha
But in all seriousness things can get hairy out there especially in a 16' Aluminum boat, so watch that wind if its blowing 15 any direction you may want to reconsider your trip or get beat up.
Good Luck

[AceArcher]

Sounds good, I will keep it to a 5-10 forecast or less then.

[Keywest18]

I would go with light and variable. I fish out of a 16ft mod v and even 5-10 is choppy sometimes. Its very confusing

[AceArcher]

Thanks, my boat is a mod v design as well. Are there area's that are better to fish / more protected when the wind is up a little .... ie.. are you better off to fish prien lake etc.

[bgizzle]

Joes cove

[bgizzle]

Except north wind plus og. But in a small boat u may be ok. Just be safe

[meaux fishing]

Prein definitely has more banks you can hide out on. Just a guess....it'll probably take another month before the fishin gets good up there though

[Beach Bum]

As the owner of a 15 foot Alumaweld, I can say that there are LOTS of places to fish when the wind is fairly strong. Launch at Calcasieu Point instead and you'll be protected from the winds. You can then fish the Industrial Canal, the ship channel, the old river loop that goes to the north end of Big Lake, the Intracoastal Canal and often Turner's Bay depending on the wind direction. There are lots of cuts coming off all the above that offer good fishing and protection from the wind and very little competition from other boats.

[AceArcher]

Thanks much Beach Bum... I will definetly check that out.

[BassYakR]

I agree with beach bum. My last 3 fishing trips were in 15-20mph n winds and i was able to find fish. And im in a 16ft xpress... Just gotta be careful and run the channel... Dont run in the main lake.

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