tides

[GFD]

OK here's another basic question...
I know tides are important to sucess but exactly what is the best time to fish and why?
Thanks

[STEVE IN MASS]

All depends on the area....the large swing in tides (7-12 feet, depending on the moon) can largely effect your oppurtunities North of the canal in Mass from shore, depending on where you fish. On the south coast of Mass and Rhody, the tide swing is much less, and opens up a lot more options at different tides....

[GFD]

Does that mean that between tide changes the fish won't be there? ie is fishing only good at low and high tides?
Marc

[Spare Spool]

This is a very basic answer to your question. At PI the best time to fish the mouth of the Merrimack is on the Outgoing tide to Low. Beach front everyone has their own opinions. The general rule of thumb taht you'll hear is 45 minutes before and after High tide (although I generally like to fish beaches at Low ). Hope this helps.

[GFD]

OK thanks!

[STEVE IN MASS]

GFD - what I was saying is that at the in between tides, with the major tide swings we have, and in some places, the long flat beaches we have....that at mid tide, depending on where you're fishing, there can be only a 1/2 foot to 1 foot of water for a long way out. At high and low, the drop offs can be good, but at 'tween tides, your looking at skinny water for, in some places, a 1/4 mile.

All depends where you are fishing......

[JohnR]

Typically when fishing the mouth of an inlet, the outgoing tide is best because bait fish will be flushed out of that inlet. This will more often have the predator fish stacked up in postition to attack the bait coming out. Now some beaches for example are best when the tide is coming in where the water covers bars, holes and troughs that might be dry or very skinny when the water is low.

Also, whereas Steve says that the smaller swing in tides creates more options in Rhody, I think you have more options in Mass because a 9 foot tide will create more productive spots to fish than a smaller tide. Especially around rocky areas. Because that tide typically covers more ground, you'll have better/more holes, bars, and cover more parts of rocky ledges that with the greater movement of the water will create even better fishing opportunities. To give you an example, a particular not to be named spot the Schoolie Monster and I hit from time to time has several different rocky ledges to it that uncover and become productive on a 9 foot tide that would not if it was a 4.5 foot tide like in Rhody. I think it just creates more potential in some areas.

And on average the best time to chase bigger bass is at night.

[Got Stripers]

Rivers were a pain at close to high tide. It spreads out the bait, the gamefish and makes finding productive spots harder. For rivers anyway, I always planned on the last 3 hours of the outgoing tide, which defined the channel, guaranteed a good current, located fish in predictable ambush spots etc. I agree with John and others in that fishing beaches is a different ball game, in that you might need the top of the tide to cover productive bars, troughs and holes, to the point where stripers are willing to come in and feed. Now that I'm more of a weekend warrior and boat fish, I don't even bother with the tide, I just shoot for a 3 am departure from my house.