Probably a stupid question, but how do you find a wind protected spot using a map? Is it mainly finding a spot that has a tree line or something blocking the wind on that shoreline? But how would you find that on a map?

Maybe the windfinder app could help

Look at the contour lines, on the side of the lake the wind is blowing from.

Know the way the lake lays out as far as direction. Use Google Earth for satellite imagery to identify wind blocks along shorelines... like trees, bluffs, high banks, etc.
Is there a particular lake or bay you need help with?

Those wind apps are good.

Google Earth is a great tool for finding protected spots.as mentioned. You have to be able to recognize what you are looking at. Some wind breaks aren’t as obvious as a line of houses or a stand of trees. Even a shoreline with low brush can block enough wind to make it a go instead of a no.

Sometimes, with some images there’s clues on the water with the lighting on the waves. Bluffs and spoil banks often have shadows and sharp edges along a shoreline. Brush and mangroves have a different look than salt grass or cord grass. Of course, smaller, more narrow drains can work in the wind as there isn’t any way for waves to generate in such tight quarters.

If you have some experience fishing at a saltwater spot, go back and look at the image on google earth. You might have mental images of the terrain or a photo and then you can compare with the satellite image on GE. Then you will get a reference point on what a place you’ve actually fished looks like from overhead.

No particular bay, just mainly Galveston and the surrounding area.

to add to what Karstopo said.. sometimes all you need is a reef sticking out of the water 6 inches and you can fish behind that. I think more accurately what you really need is a wave break most of the time. That said, this front has gusts to 40... so a wind break is needed .. but honestly we need to go a lot deeper with what to look for in fishing this sort of weather. That wind is going to cause a lot of other variables as well like tide drop ect ect. So only finding a wind protected shoreline is only part of the battle. There's a lot more to it. Also.. do you Google Earth the program and not the google satellite view of your phone.

If you really want to learn more about fishing and get one on one help all the time. email me and I'll let you in on a new program i just released.
tobin@troutsupport.com