Noob trying to understand tides

[The SS Rizzo]

I've heard as a rule of thumb that fishing for Fluke 2 hours before and after high tide is ideal?  Looking at the tide charts for Sandy hook for 7/18.  High tide says 4:43 at sandy hook.  So does that mean 2:43 to 12:49 is ideal by the above guide lines? 

Would the water be considered outgoing during this time?

What would be an good indicator that we are stuck in a wind against tide drift?

thanks

[Hotrod]

Hi Ss Rizzo.  welcome to the site.. I will leave this one to the pro's

[ped579]

Welcome Aboard SS Rizzo,

Well by your calculation parameter I would say that the time would be 2:43 to 6:43 but you have a slack tide time as the tides change which some say is a no go zone.  The tide would be coming in from 2:43 to 4:43 and then a slack for a while then your tide will change and be outgoing till around 6:43 or so.

I did not check the tides myself and only going on your time sequence, plus you have to remember the further you go up the river there will be a delay in the tides. 

I hope this helps.

FYI, I use the tides only as a reference and fish whenever I can.  If I waited to go by the charts I would of lost out on some really great fishing opportunities.

Happy Catching

Paul

[CapBob]

Welcome to the site SS.

The tide is one factor as is the location, wind and water temp.

Ideally you want moving water for a good bite (and to keep your boat moving) But you can have conditions where the wind is against the tide and you just sit there unless you power drift or change locations.

As you go along you will find that certain locations are better on the outgoing tide and others on the incoming. Depending where you are it may be just moving from one side of the channel to the other that puts you on the fish.

If you fish a location on one tide and get no or little bite, try coming back after the change, you may find the fish are feeding and get a good bite.

Do not fish the same bait/rig on all the poles, put out a smorgusboard to see what they want, then go to that bait/rig. Don't Dead stick-Work the bait/Rig.

Remember that if the tide change at Sandy Hook is 300PM it will be differant at Highlands, Keansburg, Perth Amboy, etc.

Hope this helps a little

[Luna Sea 5]

welcome.. I try to avoid slack tide, but for Fluke, everything else works as long as the water is moving and you get a good drift.

[The SS Rizzo]

Thanks for all the responses!  What about moon phases?  Is is best to fish around a new moon or full moon.  Does the moon visibility have an affect on the bite?

[Greg7]

Yea, what paul said. There was once a time I would only go when the "tide was right". But now I just go when I can go.  The canal is one of those spots where your supposed to fish at certain times with the tide however I have caught just as many fish when the tide was "horrible".  As for the moon phases many people say around a full moon, 5 days before and 5 days after, is supposed to be really good times. I prefer to just go out whenever possible.

[ped579]

Again don't limit your fishing to certain astronomical events.  Moon phases are important only during the time when the spawn is taking place.  I am sure it has certain effects at other times but I find that if the fish are hungry and there is bait around their feed bag will be on till they burst.

Just get out and fish, enjoy the sport and think less about the physiological reasoning behind it.  Trust me I have been there and done that.  Don't get me wrong these events are factors but just keep them in the back of your mind and go out and catch.

Knowing what the fish are eating in my mind is more important than what phase the moon is in.  I have written a small article on it and well lets just say it is nice to know only during certain times of the year.

Happy Catching

Paul

[Pfishingruven]

Welcome .  I wouldn't worry about the moon phases too much for fish action.  If there is a difference, I don't think it is much.

You do have to consider and look at moon phases affecting the tides and water levels.  Full and new moons can cause very high tides and very low tides.  Quarter phases of the moon can cause very little to no change between the tides.  Winds can affect the tides as well and will causes higher or lower tides in extreme wind conditions.

 

[IrishAyes]

You will also have heavier currents with new and full moon. Bring weights that will hold bottom in the fast running conditions.