One of the best ways to have a successful fishing trip is by being at the right place at the right time. If not, then don’t expect to catch any fish. There are many factors to consider when determining where fish are located, such as the water level, movement, and the movement’s direction.
This may have you wonder, ‘is it better to fish high tide or low tide?’ Well, the answer is NEITHER. Fishing at true high or low tides is the worst time to fish, as there might not be water movement for minutes to hours, with fish less likely to feed.
Read on as we delve deeper into the topic of fishing during high and low tides.
Is It Better to Fish High Tide or Low Tide?
Again, it’s best to avoid fishing at either high or low tide. The best tide you should fish in is during a moving tide! You’ll want to catch the rising or flooding tide rather than fish during the high or low tide for the water movement.
Fish eat while the water moves, with baits and lures working differently during the tides since the waters move differently.
During the rising tide, lures are more likely to move closer to shore, which helps many anglers. You can fish about 2 hours before the full high tide to make the most out of your fishing during these times.
Falling tides are also great to fish in, which is when water levels begin falling. The waters will such in insects and small plant fragments, which fish love to eat. When you drop a line with bait, lure, or jig, the water moves it to the center, catching the eyes of hungry fish.
We recommend falling tides when fishing since the bait is carried out to the deeper areas, closer to fish. The currents will also be stronger with more water pushing to the center, driving up the fish feeding.
Why Not Fish During High Tide?
I don’t recommend fishing during the highest point of the high tide because there is little to no water movement. Waters are stagnant at this time, and the fish will be the same! Still and unmoving water turns them off, and they won’t feel any need to eat.
Why Not Fish During Low Tide?
Just like high tide, there isn’t much water movement during the low tide. The water will only drive fish to better locations, so there is less to catch in your area.
Stagnant and lower water levels are enough to keep fish away for a while, and they won’t want to eat when there’s no water movement. If you do have to fish during low tide, it’s possible with proper technique.
Waters flow to deeper places, which carry fish food towards them and attract them to the area. Concentrate on fishing in those deeper areas, as fish are willing to feed when they find a lot of food.
Wrapping It Up
When it comes to fishing during the low or high tides, the answer is neither! You’ll want to go for the incoming and outgoing tides, which is when water movement is best and when fish are out feeding. Of course, there are many other factors to consider, but this is an excellent start to building your fishing strategy.
I hope you learned a lot about fishing during the high and low tides. Do keep this information in mind and plan your fishing trip efficiently. Good luck and happy fishing!