Fish with the Tides (for Saltwater Fishing)

Fishing with the tides is a crucial strategy for saltwater fishing because tides directly affect fish behavior, feeding patterns, and movement. Understanding how to use the tides to your advantage can make a big difference in your success. Here's how to fish effectively with the tides:

1. Understand the Basics of Tides

• Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. They create water movement, which can either increase or decrease depending on the time of day.
• The two key components are:
  • Incoming (Flood) Tide: Water flows from the ocean towards the shore.
  • Outgoing (Ebb) Tide: Water flows from the shore back out to the ocean.

Fish tend to be more active during these periods of movement because tides stir up baitfish and other prey, making them easier to catch for predatory fish.

2. Fish During Moving Water

• The best time to fish is when the water is moving, which is typically during the first and last couple of hours of the incoming or outgoing tides. This is when current is strongest, and fish are actively feeding.
  • Incoming Tide: Predatory fish move closer to shore as the water rises, chasing baitfish into shallow areas.
  • Outgoing Tide: Fish often position themselves in deeper channels or drop-offs where the water funnels baitfish out of shallow flats.

3. Focus on Structure and Current Breaks

• During tidal changes, fish tend to gather around structure, such as rocks, reefs, piers, docks, and underwater ledges, where currents bring food to them. Fish wait in these areas to ambush prey that is swept by the moving water.
• Current breaks or eddies (areas where the water flow is disrupted, creating a calm spot) are prime places to find fish during tidal movement. Look for areas like the down-current side of a rock, bridge piling, or sandbar, where fish can rest and wait for food to pass by.

4. Understand the Tidal Phases

• High Tide: This is when the water is at its peak level. Fish will move closer to shore to feed in areas that were previously inaccessible. This is a great time to fish near mangroves, marshes, or flats.
• Low Tide: As the water recedes, fish often retreat to deeper channels and holes where they can wait for the next influx of bait. Low tide can also reveal hidden structures like rocks or channels that are productive during the next tidal cycle.

5. Use Tidal Charts

• Always check tidal charts before heading out. These charts indicate the times of high and low tides, as well as the strength of the tidal flow. Tidal movement is more pronounced during spring tides (full or new moon) and less during neap tides (quarter moon).
  • Spring Tides: Produce higher highs and lower lows, creating stronger currents and more water movement. These tides can lead to better fishing opportunities.
  • Neap Tides: Have weaker currents and less water movement, making fish less active.

6. Choose the Right Spot Based on Tides

• When fishing the incoming tide, target areas like flats, estuaries, or inlets, where the rising water floods the area with nutrients and baitfish.
• During the outgoing tide, focus on channels, cuts, and passes, where the retreating water forces baitfish out of the shallows into deeper water, attracting predatory fish.

7. Adjust Your Bait and Tactics

• During rising tides, fish tend to be more aggressive, so using live bait, cut bait, or artificial lures that mimic fleeing prey can be highly effective.
• On the outgoing tide, use lures or baits that can be fished near the bottom in deeper channels where fish may be resting or feeding on bait being flushed out of shallow areas.

8. Time of Day Still Matters

• While tides are important, combining them with the time of day can boost your success even more. Early mornings and late afternoons (dawn and dusk) are usually the best times to fish, regardless of tidal movement, as fish are naturally more active during these periods.

By understanding how fish react to tidal changes and planning your fishing trips around the tides, you can greatly improve your chances of catching more fish during saltwater outings.