Does Tide Matter?

[obsession #8]

How do you folks feel about the tides effect on catching fish?

When is this best time to catch fish...or does it matter? What about the sun (versus clouds).

What are the perfect conditions for fishing: Tide, time, weather, etc?

[warrenahrens]

Some things I believe (and it may just be a "confidence thing !!") :

When the tide is running hard, the bait "balls" up tightly. Under water or visible structure becomes a key on a running tide, due to the eddy / current break it creates. Fish position themselves accordingly, facing "upstream."

Cloudy days = green, black, goldish, chartreuse

Sunny days = white / red / blue / pink / yellow / silver

some more important factors are 1. to anticipate "preparation meeting opportunity" by doing your homework , 2. being persistent and not giving up, 3. if it ain't fun, do something else that is fun for you, and 4. let the water, birds, and fish "tell" you what to do - use your sixth sense - "go with your gut", etc...

fishing is a combination of art and science which is challenging and rewarding if you keep it all in perspective and have a positive attitude - pessimists are usually not the better fishermen, but optimists are

end of lecture

aye...aye...

[greenlantern]

Nice post Warren! I wish we all could summarized it so well!

I'm running out of Norview on Saturday. Going to take along my 8 wt flyrod. Any thoughts on where to head?

Thanks,

J Williams

[Dr. Bob]

Not to split hairs, but current moves horizontally and tide is vertical. If you plot the flood and ebb currents and compare that with the high and low tides, you will see that there is a time delay between the maximum flood current and high tide, and maximum ebb current and low tide. Captain Tom Hughes has an excellent article at his website:

http://www.capttomhughes.com/Think_Current_NOT_Tide/think_current_not_tide_final_copy.htm

Now you all know all that I know.

[wahoo4228]

Where can I find reliable current charts for the Piankatank area?

[wahoo4228]

double post!

[k9judge188]

Go to saltwatertides.com, then virginia sites. It will give you tides in all tidal waters in Va., including three different sites on the Piankatank. Good fishin!

[Dr. Bob]

I bought a book from West Marine (2005 Tidelog, Chesapeake Tidewater). It shows the moon phases and lists the times for dawn, sunrise & sunset, dark, moonset & moonrise. I then made an Excel spreadsheet for all of the major areas along the Rappahannock river and the few places referenced on the Piankatank. Then I only have to transfer the day's data for current flow, high and low tide times across the top of the spreadsheet and I get the times and speed for the maximum and minimum currents, and the high and low tide times for each location. I realize not everyone is as anal as I am but it works for me.

[eilybird]

I take enough beer that it last thru all the tides that way I make sure I catch something even if its only a buzz. my two cents I like a outgoing tide around the mouths of the creeks and jetties I think the fish( since they are smarter then us and feel pain ) associate a outgoing rip with a opportunity to feel and the lower water brings the bait out of the cover.

[Feeshon]

I second that Eily Bird - the best time to go fishing is when you can. With beer. Who's going Sunday ?

Feeshon aboard the Jezebel II [grin]

[Double Haul]

Dr. Bob.
How about posting or bmail that excel spreadsheet so that some of us other anal folks can check currents.

Thanks[excited]

[Dr. Bob]

Double Haul,

I am flattered that you want to see it and I would appreciate any feedback if it is helpful to you.

I don't know how to include it here as an attachment but will be glad to do it if someone can tell me how. Meanwhile, I will email it to you and see what you think.

Bob

[Captcush]

I use this site quite a bit for current info. The only problem I see is it will only do today and tommorrow. I run it on Friday for Saturday and assume + 1 hour for Sunday. Can't beat the current price of free. [grin]

http://www.tides.com/cgi-bin/tcweb.exe

[BriansBoat]

Warren,
You da man. Great post! We will be down Sunday, hope to see you on the water.

Brian
Taznanian Devil