Is It Worth Fishing at Low Tide

Fishing during moving tides versus slack water can make a huge difference in catching fish, but is it worth fishing at low tide?

Understanding how tides affect fish behavior is key to being successful anglers. This article will cover when the best times are to fish different tides and what techniques work for specific tide conditions.

Key Takeaways on Fishing Different Tides

Takeaway	Description
Moving tides are best	Target incoming or outgoing currents when fish are active
Incoming tide is optimal	Fish feed aggressively inshore on rising tide. Target the first hours.
Outgoing tide hotspots	Fish structure as outgoing sweeps baitfish out
Adjust at low tide	Fish deeper holes, slow presentations down
High tide access	Target flooded mangroves, flats at high tide
Tackle changes	Lighter tackle at high, finesse at low tide
Follow the food	Fish where tide concentrates baitfish around structure
Time prime windows	Check tide charts to capitalize on moving tides
Know target species	Learn behavior at different tides to maximize success

How Do Tides Affect Fishing?

Tides are the vertical rise and fall of ocean water caused by the gravitational pull of the moon. As tides come in and out, fish move around in predictable ways.

Incoming tides bring in clean ocean water with more oxygen. This encourages fish to become active and feed in shallow areas like flats and mangroves as water rises over them. Target flats as the tide starts rising to catch fish moving in with the current.

A rising tide is a great time to fish as water levels are increasing, inundating structure and bringing food sources into estuaries. Fish will follow the rising tide in towards shorelines and shallows to feed.

Outgoing tides carry food sources like shrimp and baitfish out of estuaries into channels and creeks. Predators will wait to ambush prey at structure like docks or the mouths of estuaries. Drift or anchor to fish outgoing currents around structure.

A falling tide is when water levels are decreasing as the tide goes out, pulling forage fish away from shallows towards deeper channels and basin areas. Gamefish will follow the falling tide out to continue feeding.

Slack tides are brief periods when water stops moving between incoming and outgoing tides. Fish become less active during slack water since baits are stagnant. Take a break from fishing during slack tides.

Low Tide Fishing

During low tide, water levels are at their lowest point. Fish retreat from exposed shallows into holes, channels and deeper structure. Low tide can make catching fish more challenging.

• Fish deep tidal pools and channels where fish concentrate during low tide. Focus on finding deeper areas where fish have nowhere else to go.
• Downsize baits and lures and slow down retrieval since fish are less active. Finesse presentations are key to getting bites.
• Look for structure like docks, oyster bars and creek mouths with adjacent drop-offs where fish hold in deeper water.
• Wind can help generate water movement to get fish feeding. Position yourself so wind pushes currents along structure.
• Wading and kayaks allow accessing skinny water pockets missed at high tide. Sight fish species like redfish and snook in ultra shallows.
• Target slower moving bottom fish like flounder, grouper and snapper during low tide around structure. Fish baits and jigs along channel edges and structure.

High Tide Fishing

During a high tide, water levels rise to their highest point, flooding mangroves, shorelines and flats. Fish spread out and patrol larger areas searching for food sources.

• Fish can access shallow areas impossible at low tide. Target flats, mangroves and backwaters as fish move in.
• Lighter leaders and more natural baits work better since fish can see better in cleaner high tide water.
• Position between deep edges and flooded shorelines to intercept fish moving onto flats or structure.
• As water gets high, fish may get pushed into cover like docks and bridges. Target these ambush spots.
• Incoming tide brings in cooler ocean water. Fish early when temperatures are optimal before water warms up.
• Focus on sight fishing species like snook, redfish and speckled trout that cruise flooded mangrove shorelines and flats.

High Tide or Low Tide For Catching More Fish?

• Incoming tide is the overall best tide to fish as fish are most active feeding inshore.
• Target outgoing tides around current breaks, creek mouths and structure.
• Low tide requires changing techniques to deeper areas and slower presentations.
• High tide allows accessing shallow areas with lighter tackle before the water warms up.
• Check tide charts to plan around optimal moving tide windows for your area.

Tips for Fishing High or Low Tide

• Moving tides concentrate baitfish, triggering predators to feed aggressively.
• Slack water when tides change causes fish to become less active.
• Rising tides flood structures like mangroves and flats, bringing food sources inshore.
• Outgoing tides pull prey from estuaries out into channels and the lower parts of creeks.
• Adjust baits and techniques between high and low tide. Finesse tackle is needed at low tide when fish are less active.
• Low tide requires adjusting locations to deeper pools, channels and structures.
• High tide allows accessing the skinniest water and using lighter tackle before warmth shuts down the bite.
• Focus on sight fishing species like redfish, snook and trout in shallows at high tide.
• Target bottom dwellers like grouper, snapper and flounder during low tide around structure.
• Fish early in the tide for the most action. Start of Waxing Tide and end of outgoing are prime times.
• Advancing tide flooding mangroves, flats and shorelines pulls predators inshore to feed.
• Outgoing tide carries forage fish into ambush zones like creek mouths and current breaks.
• Look for areas where tide flows get concentrated around points, ledges and oyster bars during moving tides.
• Tackle and bait selection changes between high and low tides. Heavier jigs and live bait work well at low tide.
• Check tide charts each morning to have an optimal game plan for fishing different tide stages.
• Involve local fishing enthusiasts to learn the best spots to target during various tidal conditions.

Tackle and Bait Selection by Tide

Tide	Lure/Bait	Leader	Retrieve
Rising	Topwaters, jigs	Lighter fluorocarbon	Steady, moderate
Outgoing	Spoons, soft plastics	Heavier monofilament	Slow, bouncing
High	Live shrimp, baitfish	As light as possible	Slow, natural
Low	Jigs, cut bait	Stronger fluorocarbon	Slow, along bottom

Popular Inshore Species Based on Tides

Understanding what types of fish are likely to be feeding during different tides can help anglers be more successful. Here are some top inshore species and when the best times are to target them:

• Redfish – These popular sportfish become very active on high, rising tides when they cruise shallow flats and shorelines looking for crabs and baitfish. Go fishing for redfish early on a rising tide in shallow water around mangrove edges and sandy flats.
• Snook – Another great shallow water species, snook ambush prey along mangrove shorelines, dock lights and tidewater mouths during moving tides. Early morning and late afternoon around high tide is prime time to find snook in the shadows and edges of structure.
• Speckled Trout – Often found schooling on grass flats, speckled trout feed aggressively at dawn on flooding high tides. A fisherman casting topwaters over the flats at first light can connect with some nice trout.
• Flounder – Bottom-dwelling flounder lay motionless waiting to ambush prey as tides carry it by. Fish for flounder around sandy potholes and channel ledges on outgoing tides when the current is moving.

Conclusion

Understanding tide phases is key to saltwater fishing success. Pay attention to tide charts and fish optimal moving tide windows to maximize your time on the water. With the right tide, location and techniques, you’ll be reeling in saltwater species in no time!

FAQ