Fishing Tides and How They Affect You

As anyone who has ever fished near the coast knows, tides make a difference. They don’t just cause the water to go up and down, they change the movement of bait and fish. They also affect feeding habits and patterns.

In addition, the moon phase plays a role. A new moon (0% illumination) produces a small tidal range, while a full moon (100% illumination) causes a large tidal swing. Likewise, the moon’s position in its cycle — first quarter, full, gibbous, and last quarter — influences the tide’s strength.

High tides produce higher tidal ranges than low tides. This means that the water is moving faster and covering more area. It can also mean that weeds and other debris are stirred up on the flats and are more visible to predators. Depending on conditions, this can be a good or bad thing.

An incoming tide can bring food and nutrients to the flats from deeper waters. It can also sweep debris off the flats and into the ocean. It can also churn up the water making it harder to cast.

A strong outgoing tide can push bait and fish from the flats to deeper waters or carry them away to the tidal river. It can also create a warm water plume in the tributary where bonefish and other fish feed.

The peak of a high tide is often considered the best time to fish. This is because fish are aggressively feeding during this period, particularly at the top of the tide when food is being kicked up from the flats. However, a high tide can be dangerous for boats or kayaks, especially if there is an onshore wind.

While some fish prefer one tide over another, most species of saltwater fish feed at both low and high tides. The most successful anglers know when and where to fish at each tide and understand the factors that influence the optimum times for each.

Tide charts can help you pinpoint the best times to fish. They show the tidal range for your specific location and provide detailed information about currents, moon phases, and more. They can be found in most fishing shops and online.

In addition to a tidal chart, you should also know what the prevailing winds and temperatures are. A sustained wind can cause a predicted high tide to reach less than its normal height or cause a low tide to drop two or three feet below its predicted low. This can make some beaches inaccessible or unsafe to fish. Knowing what to expect when planning your trip can save you a lot of headaches.