I managed to get out a few times this week, and the pattern was pretty clear. The week started out strong, but as the days went on, things definitely began to taper off. Water temperatures are falling, and you can feel the fish getting a little less comfortable compared to the past couple of weeks. That said, they’re still around, and they still have to eat.

The key right now is covering water. Sitting in one spot hasn’t been very productive. What’s been working best for me has been small paddle tails and small artificial shrimp, fished patiently and moved around until you find active fish.

With another cold front coming through, expect things to get shaken up even more. I’d personally avoid early mornings for the time being. Overnight temps are cooling the water down significantly, and fish activity has been noticeably better once the sun gets up and starts warming the flats and shorelines. There’s no need to rush out at first light. Late morning into early afternoon has been the better window.

Overall, fishing is a little tougher than it was, but it’s far from dead. The fish still need to feed, so if you’re willing to get out there, cover some ground, and adjust your timing, you can still make things happen.