Weather interpretation question

[Radiater]

I fish a small boat offshore (26' with twins) when I can and have canceled many trips because the weather service throws up a small craft advisory only to see that the bouy data is not that bad. So I sit at home pissed that I didn't go.

I realize that a bold mariner does not become an old mariner and I would not want to put my crew or myself at unnecessary risk just to catch a fish.

A lot of tournament guys talk about fishing in 6 and 9' seas but I've seen real seas that big from the cockpit of a big sportfish and they were not fun even in those boats.


Some of you guys seem very good at understanding weather patterns and how they will relate to the forecast.

What websites do you use and specifically what factors do you look at to determine if the weatherman will be right or if he is more likely covering his butt and it is in fact very fishable?

Do you look at isobars or barometric pressure or what? Is there a way to know if one kind of front will be worse than another?

R

[rich]

that is a great question and I am awaiting to hear some of the responses to this one as it will help me out as well.

[codfishshark]

i would recomend picking up a weather book there is a great one written by capt michael carr. he was a professor of mine at maine maritime academy knows his stuff and the book is an easy read probally order it online for like 20 bucks.

[Dick_Formula233]

Radiater,

I fish a smaller boat than you, with the same concerns. I generally pay attention to small craft advisories on the assumption they are right much more often than wrong.

The main thing I key on is wind speeds. I start debating about it at 14-15 knots. If it's blowing steadily at 17 knots or better, I don't even think about it.

Beaufort Force 5: Wind Speed 17-21 knots, Wave Height 6-8 ft, many white horses.

[Radiater]

Radiater,

I fish a smaller boat than you, with the same concerns. I generally pay attention to small craft advisories on the assumption they are right much more often than wrong.

The main thing I key on is wind speeds. I start debating about it at 14-15 knots. If it's blowing steadily at 17 knots or better, I don't even think about it.

Beaufort Force 5: Wind Speed 17-21 knots, Wave Height 6-8 ft, many white horses.

Well it is nice to hear that someone thinks simiilar to how I do. I 've been thinking I'm quitting to early on a trip. Your post pretty much sums up my line of thought when deciding to run 40 to 60 miles for a trip offshore.

I also look at the sustained wind speeds overnight as well because if it has been whipping it to a froth all night it will still be plenty rough the next morning too.

R

[Radiater]

i would recomend picking up a weather book there is a great one written by capt michael carr. he was a professor of mine at maine maritime academy knows his stuff and the book is an easy read probally order it online for like 20 bucks.

I will look into this one....thank you.

R

[jbrob]

I fish a small boat offshore (26' with twins) when I can and have canceled many trips because the weather service throws up a small craft advisory only to see that the bouy data is not that bad. So I sit at home pissed that I didn't go.

I realize that a bold mariner does not become an old mariner and I would not want to put my crew or myself at unnecessary risk just to catch a fish.

A lot of tournament guys talk about fishing in 6 and 9' seas but I've seen real seas that big from the cockpit of a big sportfish and they were not fun even in those boats.


Some of you guys seem very good at understanding weather patterns and how they will relate to the forecast.

What websites do you use and specifically what factors do you look at to determine if the weatherman will be right or if he is more likely covering his butt and it is in fact very fishable?

Do you look at isobars or barometric pressure or what? Is there a way to know if one kind of front will be worse than another?

R

A lot depends on the period between the waves. The NWS will post small crafts if seas are in the 4 to 6 range and up. If its simply left over from a swell and little wind the waves will be spaced out and fishable thought the inlet may be a problem. If the waves are a combination of swell and wind then a small boat is no place to be.

Look at the weather buoys for history of wind and waves for the last 24 hours and the period.

I've fished tournaments on larger boats in 6 to 8 and on one occasion 8 to 10. It ain't fun even on a 57 footer.

Finally don't let other people's actions influence your decision. The attitude if someone else goes I should or I am a coward, leads to a lot of miserable days on the water.

[SuperS]

I generally look at the NWS site, but I hear the OSS - http://www.offshoresatelliteservices.com/ pay for weather service is much better than NOAA.

The things to look for in a forecast are wind speeds and direction. A 10-15 out of the SW with kick up less water than a 10-15 from the NE. E, N and NE above 10-15 = no go for us for an offshore trip. We run a 28 ft Pursuit and often go in a friends 33 WorldCat.

I also watch the frontal boundaries and isobars on the surface maps. It takes time an experience to figure the winds out though and I still haven't mastered it. But depending on just the NWS forecast leads to a lot of days on the dock. Like jbrob said, swell period has a lot to do with the sea state later in the season when the hurricanes are pushing along far offshore. A 10ft swell is fishable, but if the winds are forecast to blow up, it can turn ugly very fast.

[nfa2189]

I look at the weather fax out of Boston which will give a picture of what to expect in the next 12 to 18 hours. I fish the high pressure patterns and watch when that system moves out of the forecast area. Wind speeds of 15 knts will give you a 3 to 5 foot sea. Watch where the High Pressure area comes from if it is north of your forcast area more than likely the wind will be out of the N, NE. If it moves directly over your forecast area then you can expect calm seas and light winds. Bermuda highs usually will give you light winds during the month of JUly and early august, but once the high pressure systems in Canada start getting the cold thats when you will see shorter weather windows and caution should be your first concern. I fish a 27 foot Phoenix and I alway check the weather bouys, at least 4 of them in the areas that I fish. THere are many more land stations and wind speeds will not be as accurate on land because of terrain, once over open water 10 kt winds can easily become 20 kts. I never fish into cold weather fronts as they will create very windy conditions out of the southwest as the pressure gradients move closer together. I hope this helps

[neilinov]

Your question is about as loaded with variables as they come. The main thing to remember is that if a SCA is issued they are talking about boats that are 65' and smaller. Not a good day to go fishing. Wind speeds are important, but so are all the other factors.

You need to know where you are going, swell size and period. If your course out of the inlet is 120 and the winds are SE 10-15 with swell at 2' at 2 secs you are in for an ass kicking in a 26' boat.

Now if you are headed the same course and the winds are at SE 10-15 with swells at 4-6' at 9 secs you are in for a nicer ride.

You have to spend more time on your boat to see what you are capable of handling. When you get those days that are questionable stick your nose out the inlet and see what you are willing to take. If it is too much turn around an head for home. You won't have wasted anything but a few hours time.