Fishing this week has seemed to slow down a little, but there are still plenty of opportunities to find a good bite if you know what to look for. I fished a mixture of morning and evening trips throughout the week, and one pattern continued to stand out: bait and predators are both favoring areas protected from the wind.

I’ve been finding good numbers of bait in areas with protection from the wind, and the predators haven’t been far behind. Fish have been holding along the wind blown edges of these areas, while others have been tucked farther back along shorelines that offer more protection.

There are still plenty of larger mullet around in the 8–10 inch range, but there are also plenty of smaller pogies around, which is why the 3–4 inch paddle tails have been working well. Smaller topwaters have also been effective when conditions are right. So while the larger mullet are definitely around, don’t overlook the smaller bait when choosing your presentation.

Snook have remained the most consistent target, with a decent number of speckled trout mixed in. I’m also finding some redfish, along with a few jacks here and there.

Tarpon are still around as well, with fish being seen along the ICW, around the ends of docks, and under dock lights. They continue to provide another exciting opportunity for anglers willing to spend some time looking for them.

Overall, the bite may be starting to slow down a little as we move through the summer, but there are still plenty of fish around. Find the bait, pay attention to how the wind is positioning it, and look for the predators nearby. Sometimes finding the right conditions is all it takes to turn a slower day into a productive one.