Fishing the Changing Tide For Better Results

Many inshore anglers don’t realize how much importance the movement of the water and changes in the tide have on fishing success. It controls the movement of the bait which has a direct impact on when and where the fish are biting. The importance of the tide is something a fisherman learns after years of fishing. More experienced anglers place tidal movements at the top of the list for determining where and, more importantly, when to fish. You have to keep in mind that fish also have feeding times that are largely based on those currents because it also largely determines the movement of the bait.

With every trip I make, I consider the tide and what it’s doing. I have a tidal chart that tells me how high the tide will get and how low and the times of the changes, allowing me to know when and where I’ll be fishing and what to expect. I also factor in the movement of the current after the tide change. A tide change does not improve fishing. It’s the actual movement of the water moving the baitfish that improves fishing. You’ll also notice that when the tide goes deadlocked or extremely high, the fishing will slow. Be patient, wait for the current to pick up, and you’ll likely have a few hours of good fishing as long as the current continues to move. I prefer the first few hours of either slack or high prime fishing time. It doesn’t matter if falling to rising or rising to falling. Fishing both sides at the change can be great.

So, on your next fishing trip, plan around those tide changes and currents. You’ll be surprised at the improved results.