Effects on Tide On Fishing
By Jonathan Sellars
Although the earth's tidal rhythms affect all bodies of water, the impact on
fishing is most apparent along the ocean and gulf shorelines and in the
shallows and bays along what's known as the "intertidal zone". The intertidal
zone is that area in between the highest level reached by the tide and the
furthest point to which the tide recedes. This is the area where sandbars
appear during low tide and water marks can be seen along the beach after the tide recedes.
When the tide is coming in during daylight hours many different species of fish
come in to forage crabs, clams, and the smaller fish who stay within the
intertidal zone. If the tide is coming in at night then sharks, and their
cousins the rays, move in to feast as well.
In simpler terms, when the tide is high new feeding areas open up in the flats
that bigger fish can't reach when the tide is low. As baitfish move in to eat
the smaller inhabitants, the predators move in to eat the bait fish.
You'll have a better chance of catching the big ones if you hit these flats
just before the tide comes in so you can have a look around. Once you identify the likely ambush spots are you'll know where the aggressive predators will be
hanging out. Keep your eye out for dips, holes, tree stumps, submerged dock
pilings and other big-fish favorites.
Keep in mind that the big fish are easily spooked when they are trapped in
shallow water so you are better to cast out from where you think they are
hiding and then slowly reel your bait into their location.
On the other hand, when water levels drop during low tide fish are forced onto the outer edges of the flats and into the deeper holes. This creates congestion and larger fish schools which makes competition for food even keener and causes the hungry predators to hit almost anything that looks like food to them.
Not all of the action is in the intertidal zone however. Coastal lagoons and
inlets are also good tide-driven fishing grounds when you understand how they work.
Coastal lagoons and inlets are usually separated from the main body of water by a piece of land of some type. They are usually fed by a combination of fresh water streams, rivers, or underground springs and salt water which invades during high tides.
Rising water levels will usually force open parts of the lagoon's walls which
causes an inflow of water from the sea. When the tide begins to recede a
corresponding outflow of water is created. All of this agitation stirs up
crustaceans and other food and attracts large predators who are ready for an
easy meal.
If you've got something on your hook that looks like whatever the fish are
naturally finding in the lagoon, you've got a recipe for a limit day.
Once you understand how the tides affect your favorite fishing hole you can
change your luck just by reading the tide table in your local newspaper.