General question. Is there a preferred tide for early morning topwater fishing? Does the tide need to be up in the grass or does it matter? I would think the tide would need to at least be over the oyster rakes. Is rising tide or falling tide preferred? Any input is most appreciated. I love topwater fishing, but not proficient yet in salt water.
I have never even tried at or near low, not saying it wouldn’t work, just that I have never tried it. I think it has more to do with the light (or lack there of) of the situation than anything. Low light, overcast, cloudy have all been the most successful for me personally. You get the most of that time in the early morning and evening. Be sure to work the topwater lure ALL THE WAY TO THE BOAT! Saturday we caught at least 2 and missed another 2 or more right at or within 10ft of the boat. If you are fishing solo, have a subsurface twitch bait, or similar, to throw immediately after a missed strike if you can. Try different sizes and colors as well. This past Sat we fished an hour of incoming and a few hours of outgoing and caught some fish on both tides.
Fishing Nerd
“skilled labor isn’t cheap, cheap labor isn’t skilled”
I’ve had equal success all the way through the tides. Obviously where you fish will be dictated by the tide (outgoing rips will be in different spots than incoming) Points will fish differently based on tide cycles) I have different areas I prefer on different tides and how these areas are structured. Some are simple points and some are hard edges along a bank. Flood tides were the water is way up in the grass have been the least successful for me. Good info shared by Stump as well. Don’t know how many fish I’ve hooked and missed as I go to remove the bait from the water next to the boat.
Thanks very much for the tips guys. Topwater fishing is great fun. Sounds as though the tides are not that much of a factor so long as it is not a flood tide or dead low tide. Really appreciate it.
looking to try my hand at this as well soon. Thanks for the pro tips guys!
Andy pretty much hit it on the head…
On high tides my favorite spots for topwater are submerged oyster rakes or submerged sparse grass.
At low tide, anywhere with a hard bottom should be good for trout. Any flat that holds reds should work at low for reds. Look for the presence of bait. Many times you will see fish striking bait on top.
Remember, when you get struck, resist setting the hook. Wait till you feel resistance first, especially with redfish. And if they miss the first time, don’t reel in. Make the lure look like a wounded fish. They will often come back 2,3,4,5+ times till you hook them.
In my experience the type of plug matters for the type of fish. Trout have loved the Rapala SkitterV. Reds seem to prefer the Rapala SkitterWalk
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
quote:
Originally posted by OptikerRemember, when you get struck, resist setting the hook. Wait till you feel resistance first, especially with redfish. And if they miss the first time, don’t reel in. Make the lure look like a wounded fish. They will often come back 2,3,4,5+ times till you hook them.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
^^^THIS^^^ VERY sage advice, right there!
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot