Another "simple" tide question ... - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

MountainBreeze · 05-15-2003, 06:55 AM

Hey Folks,

If someone says they prefer "the beginning of the flood," do you think they mean an hr or two after dead low or an hr or two before high on the tide chart?

Thanks,
Rob

Tattoo · 05-15-2003, 06:58 AM

1 hour give or take after slack low tide.....depending on where your fishing this could be more.....breachways are a whole different world.....

MountainBreeze · 05-15-2003, 07:05 AM

Thanks Tattoo.

This is a beach I am referring to.

Now, I have another question, if you don't mind.

Is "slack low tide" the time given for low on a tide chart or an hr or two after it?

Thanks again,
Rob

Tattoo · 05-15-2003, 08:47 AM

Tides charts are not 100 percent accurate.

Slack tide means it is as low or as high as it will get on that tide. The moon effects how high a tide will be, 2.9, 3.2 , 3.5 (measured in feet) and how low it will be. -0.9, -1.0 etc etc etc.

Depending on where you are this can last 20 minutes or an hour or more....the canal is famous for breaking tides - slack tide at dawn....big plugs on top...you get the idea...

Every spot is different, only on way to learn, and it's not being in front of the computer.

MountainBreeze · 05-15-2003, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tattoo
only on way to learn, and it's not being in front of the computer.

Point taken Tattoo!

Thanks again!

Rob

Mike P · 05-15-2003, 12:54 PM

Depending on where you're fishing, "beginning of the flood" could mean the first couple of hours of the incoming tide, or the first couple of hours of the incoming current after slack.

From a beach "flood" usually refers to the stage of tidal height, not the direction of the current. In an inlet or breachway, flood usually refers to the current. And in almost every inlet anywhere in the world, slack current doesn't occur exactly at the time of dead low or peak high tide. There's a lag of anywhere from 40 minutes to as much as 3 hours, depending on the size of the estuary behind the inlet.

MakoMike · 05-15-2003, 03:07 PM

Guys,
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Eldridge's tide and pilot book. It will give you the times of high and low tides as well as slack current for anyplace on the east coast. Note: high or low tide does NOT equal slack current, its simply the time of the highest or lowest water level the current can keep moving for some time after the tide reaches its peak.