I’ve always tried to plan my fishing around the lower half of the tide because I seem to struggle catching on higher tides when the water has gotten up into the grass and dispersed the bait and the fish.
But it seems that lately, every time I get a pass to go fish for a few hours it’s on the upper end of the tidal range.
I wondering if many of you change techniques or target areas for times of higher tides?Do you move to recently covered flats, move further up the creeks, float baits around the grass?
I’ve got to crack the high tide code.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
I struggle to catch reds during the higher stages of the tide cycle and focus more on trout. The spots I focus on are points where there is a pocket of water right along the grass line out of the current. The trout seem to be right along the grass facing the current while not expanding energy in the slack water. The best points for this method consist of oysers and fast current. Have had a lot of luck on small swimbaits. Good luck.
Still learning but have noticed a few things.
Find places where the tide takes longer to get into the grass. Creek has higher sides/hard banks.
Each creek has it’s own high/low tide or peak fishing period.
Find structure at low tide, return at higher tides. Fish will hangout around structure. This can be a little as a small cluster of oysters.
As the water clears try fishing faster. Bright colors can help, gold is popular. Spinners. I avoid blades with heavy vibration or buzz baits. Paddle tails with chart tail have worked.
Throw on the grass line. They follow the grass line so the strike zone holds as close to the grass as possible.
Push further back in the creek (depends on creek).
Some creeks stop, some open to a flat, some turn to freshwater (drainage).
Find creeks that dry out at low tide. The bait/fish wait longer before entering.
Keep quiet, trolling motor or push pole. Turn off the Sonar’s (my opinion). Keep your hands down and watch your shadow.
Cast underhand/sidearm so your bait isn’t flying 30ft over their heads.
The bait will tell you where the predators are so try not to spook the bait.
Be prepared to work a lot of water.
Thanks guys. That helps if mainly in that it confirms my thinking. Especially like the part about being prepared to cover lots of water. I always feel like I’ve gotten lucky when I manage to get something on high tide but will keep at it.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120