Tides have a great impact on fishing and skilled fishing experts know how to make the best use of it. Some anglers may realize the importance of tides for fishing but do not know how to study them. In this article, we will help you to know more about tides and their influence on fishing.
What Causes Tides?
The ocean level changes every day as the moon, sun, and earth interact. The earth’s gravity affects the moon and the gravity of the moon pulls the earth. This gravitational interaction makes oceans bulge out in the direction of the moon. Also, the earth pulls towards the moon. The combined gravitational force of both revolves around the sun and that makes oceans fall and rise. When the earth rotates on its axis, two tidal cycles happen to make a significant impact on the tides.
How Tide Influences Fishing
You might be thinking which tide is the best tide for fishing. You will not find any definite answer. However, you can follow some guidelines to utilize tides in the best possible manner for fishing. You will have to plan depending on the particular species you are trying to catch. Some species like barramundi and flathead are known as ambush predators. They wait for the first hour of the tide. However, you cannot follow the same principle for forging predators. They wait for the rising tide. This is a general rule. You can also catch flathead on a rising tide and forging predators on a falling tide.
The start of an incoming tide can be the best period for surf fishing. Some species like bluefish, weakfish, and channel bass prefer incoming tide. You can consider fishing at this time. Also, smaller baitfish tend to scatter during slack water. Without a strong current, they are able to swim fast. They can even escape the larger fish. However, when the tide will start to move, the small bait fish will be completely in the control of the rips and currents. This is the best time to catch them.
The northern predators such as mangrove, trevally, and barramundi are the expert feeder during the running tide. The running water will reduce the reaction time that can help anglers. When the tide becomes slow, the reaction time of the predators will increase. They do not like the similar position to catch their prey. They return to deep holes, backwaters, and take a position in eddies. The anglers can target them in those areas.
Moons
As stated earlier, tides are caused by the moon and earth gravity. So, if the moon is overhead directly and you are on the coast, then you can expect a high tide. When the moon is overhead directly on the reverse side of your planet, you can expect the same result.
It is always suggested to change your fishing position and style depending on the tide. For instance, you can use lightweight soft plastics in reefs, bays, and estuary channels two hours before and after the change of tide. During the middle stage, you can use soft plastics in the shallow water.
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