I have been doing allot of research now that i have explored fishing the ditch, i seems some people like to fish the low tide slack and some like to fish the high tide slack. The more i read the more confused i have become. I was always under the impression that a reseeding high tide ( here in RI ) was the best for fishing. I was wondering if this was true for the ditch ?


So any clarification would be helpful as i am heading down to night to fish the incoming high tide slack at dusk tonight.

Both can be good - I've got just as many big fish at high slack there as low. Just fish different areas. end of west (lower water) is prefered overall. Water temps can drastically change between the two tides.

Take conventional rules and toss 'em out the window.

I am far from a ditch expert but I have caught on every direction - east - west - and when you think you've got a good handle on one, they hammer on the other.

Take conventional rules and toss 'em out the window.

I am far from a ditch expert but I have caught on every direction - east - west - and when you think you've got a good handle on one, they hammer on the other.

ok so it seems my question and my confusion is valid. lol

Think currents - east and west - sometimes through a slack and turn, not slacks so much (unless chunkin'), others like when a current picks up.

one of us will hit tonight :)

one of us will hit tonight :)

right lol if we are still around at midnight you know we had a bad time lol....
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I fish the dreaded Ditch last night and was again humbled by my ineptness. 1 fish of inconsequencial size for 3 hours of throwing everything in the bag where I have done great in the past.

In all my years doing this sport the Ditch is the place that gives up it's secrets the hardest.

Without a doubt the high or low slack is a big determinant of where you will fish. Because the the high and low slack are tied unerringly to the direction the current will flow when it starts again. They are also tied to what spots will have the best footing too and how that fishability of a spot will improve or get worse when the current starts again.

Do not confuse low and high slack with low and high tide but do know that some spots will be perfect fish after say low slack when the current is moving and the spots to stand are exposed at low tide. Same on the other side of high slack when you can fish areas at high tide that may have too much shore between you and enough water to fish at other times.

Its a real advantage to understand what happens before and after the current related slacks and the tide related water levels. Sometimes its a huge blessing that the high and low tides do not coincide with high and low slack.

Yes its a complicated place and its hard to figure it out but taking the time to do so will pay off big dividends.

Yes its a complicated place and its hard to figure it out but taking the time to do so will pay off big dividends.

ya that and having a horseshoe up ur a$$ really helps :devil2:
Jay don't get any ideas.....

Catching I really cant help you with as I am still figuring out myself and probably will be for the rest of my life. Landing I can help with, there are some areas East that are very scary and difficult to land fish at low tide and other areas that I fish that actually have very safe flat areas at low tide. This does not say anything about fish being there but one thing to keep in mind.

I don't like slack...either one, always seems like a crap shoot.

Once the water gets moving....either way... you can make a plan.

I like to fish around low slack just so I have somewhere to stand. There are level spots exposed at low tide, so I'm not standing on rocks for a couple hours. I figure the fish might be anywhere, but I need somewhere safe to stand and cast.

one of us will hit tonight :)

twas not I Sir, Best of luck! everyone was getting skunked,

If I can find good deep moving water near slack I will spend some time there. If there is less water volume it should be easier to find fish.