 |
| |
Tides and Fishing
Fish feeding is directly influenced by tidal movement. Tides are raising and lowering movement of the oceans cause by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on earth. Tide changes four times a day with 2 high tides and 2 low tides in most locations. A raising tide is known as a flood tide and a falling tide is known as an ebb tide. At the end of each tidal cycle, there is a period known as a slack tide. This results in little to no movement of the water. Slack tide can last for 2-3 hours.
Tides tell a fish when to be on the move and when to rest. During a slack tide, many inshore fish will be at rest. As a general rule, fish are lazy and try to expend the least amount of energy as possible. Because of this laziness they tend to let the moving tides pull them along. During slack tide there is no movement in the water, so the fish know it is time to rest. It is also a time when fish are free to move about with any effects of the tide. This is when they usually scatter about. This makes slack tide a guessing game if you try to fish this period. Personally I would avoid it, but that isnt to say you wont catch a fish.
During ebb tide, the current pulls the smaller fish into deeper water. It concentrates them into smaller areas. This triggers predatory fish to start the hunt for dinner. Flood tides are a great time to fish. The current pulls the baitfish close to the surf and also into inlets, bays, and harbors. Predator fish sit and wait for these fish to come it. You can get a tide table from the local newpaper or a baitshop. These are all approximations as weather can play a role in changing the tide times slightly.
The Moons Role In Tidal Movement
As the moon revolves around the earth it looks like it is changing its shape. This is because we are seeing part of the moons surface at different angles as it is illuminated by the sun. Every month the moon goes through four phases-the new moon, the first quarter moon, the full moon and the last quarter moon. During the new moon and the full moon the moon, sun and Earth are almost in a direct line. This increases the gravitational pull on the Earth causing higher high tides and lower low tides. These tides are known as spring tides, but doesnt have anything to do with the season. During the first quarter moon and last quarter moon , the moon, sun and Earth form a triangle, the with Earth at the top. This gives less gravitational pull on earth causing lower high tides and higher low tides. These are called neap tides. Of course spring tides are the better time to fish based on a stronger current. This increases the fish's natural feeding instinct.
Back To Fishology/Fish Basics
|
|
