Last year was my first year out on the water around Charleston. It took me a while but I ended up finding some great spots around docks and structure for catching redfish. The only problem is that I only caught fish consistently on the low end of an outgoing tide at my spots. During the incoming tides and on the high end of the outgoing I never had much luck. Do you all have any advice on different types of spots to target at different stages of the tide cycle?
My advice would be: keep trying. There are spots where reds will stage on an incoming just like they will stage at other spots on an outgoing. When you find em, its great because you have spots to go to at all tides. Also, in general, trout are caught more often at the upper stages of the tide cycle when the water is moving. Fish the grass lines as tight to them as possible with live shrimp under a cork.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
Hey Bearcat20, welcome to the site! Something I do and recommend is buy a tide log (about $15). I’ll mark where I was at different stages of the tide and all the details of what I did (bait, technique, water temp & clarity, weather, etc, etc). The particular one I have is kind of small, so I’ll take post it notes to make better notes.
Since I was learning esentially on my own, this helped me to figure tides out since I had running notes as to what worked at what tides and where. DON’T FORGET to post skunks, also. I’m as interested as to where I DIDN’T catch fish as to where I DID. Maybe more so!
Now I’ve got a years worth of info and a head start on 2011! Maybe I’m a little extreme, but my tide log is my own little fishing Bible and I refer back to it often!
Hope it helps! Has helped me TONS!
Vinman
19.5 Triumph, 115 HP Honda
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
Vin I like your method. I do something similar.
Inshorefisher has many years of voluminous log notes and he knows how to use it. Maybe he’ll chime in.
Optiker just gave you a 5 star lock on the method for trout. I am not near his skill level, however, that method is certain to help you be succesful. I have personal experience with that technique and from there, you can move on to other methods in deeper water.
After a couple of frustrating years, I’ve started doing the same thing. I’ve got a tide log, and a fishing journal I keep, along with a NOAA chart of Charleston plastered on the wall with stickers for the spots that produce. Not too many stickers at this point unfortunately, but I’m working on it.
Looked online to try to find a tide chart like the one in the picture that shows the moon as well. Can’t seem to find one. Anybody know where I can pick one up?
Someone posted that tidelog was going away. Not sure the timeline as to when. You might check with some local places (Hadrell’s, CA) to see if they can still get one or if they know of a substitute.
Vinman
19.5 Triumph, 115 HP Honda
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
quote:
DON'T FORGET to post skunks, also. I'm as interested as to where I DIDN'T catch fish as to where I DID. Maybe more so!
Pro tip!!
quote:
Originally posted by VinmanSomeone posted that tidelog was going away. Not sure the timeline as to when. You might check with some local places (Hadrell’s, CA) to see if they can still get one or if they know of a substitute.
Vinman
19.5 Triumph, 115 HP Honda
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
right on V. but the brand has been purchased by new owner. they will be putting it out, albeit a little late.
i’m sure haddrells will have it or something similar.
Thanks for the info PeaPod…wouldn’t want to run all over town looking for one and not have known they will be out late!!
livin life one day at a time!!!
2006 Seafox172
05 Mercury90hp(saltwater)
Most of the best fishing is two hours before low tide and two hours after.You can catch anything as long as the tide is moving.Oh the high tide i work all the grass lines and deep structure that i know of.
Stonoman
quote:LOL
Originally posted by PeaPodVin I like your method. I do something similar.
Inshorefisher has many years of voluminous log notes and he knows how to use it. Maybe he’ll chime in.
www.advoutdoors.com
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