The hawk? You mean wind?
Well it depends on how strong it is. If it's to where it's only whipping up 3 footers, then I can get around in those. Just take some time and keep the nose up. Once I get there, (wind blown points or off shore structure) I run past where I want to fish, throw out the drift sock to slow my drift and use the TM only to control the direction of the drift. Then I'll throw jerkbaits. The wind usually churns up bait and brings BIG smallies out from deeper water. They will come up for a jerkbait just under the surface. I will also throw a C-rig, but do it so that the wind is at my back so I can still feel the line and don't have the wind pushing a big bow in my line. I will often go up to 1 oz weights and only 10 or 12 lb test to keep it down.
Spinnerbaits will work well too, as long as you keep them below the swells.
If it's too bad, then I go up in the bays or rivers and fish tight structure with a jig or tube. I will be on my TM constantly to hold the boat steady. Don't fight the wind, figure what way it wants to blow the boat and either use that, OR run into the wind slightly so when you do get bit, if you take your foot off the TM, the wind blows you AWAY from the cover, not into it. You will be physically and mentally spent after a long day fishing in the wind. It takes a lot more effort and concentrated thought about what you're doing with the boat, but it can pay off big time.
It's really hard to explain, and much easier to show. Come on out anytime and I'm sure before a weekends out, the wind will blow and I can show you what I mean! That's life on the great lakes.
