Intro | Water Types | Tide & Wind | Tactics | Light or Night? | Gear

Tides
The fish in each area respond differently to tide changes. The tides bring bait and therefore fish to an area. Using a tide chart and putting time into an area can help you determine the tidal/fish movements. Guides and other fishermen can also provide good information on the tides and wind.

Lunar phases directly affect saltwater fishing. Around the full-moon phases tidal height and current strength hit peak, and the result is atypically high and low tides. These tides remain higher and lower than normal throughout the last quarter. Tidal height and current strength are not as influenced by either the new moon or the first quarter.

One important point to remember is that bass move into an area earlier or later depending upon the stage of the tides. During the full and last quarter-moon phases the action is later in the tide and tends to be shorter in duration and more concentrated; similarly, from the new moon through the first quarter, changes in the tides are less drastic, and the fish move in earlier in the tide and remain longer.

Wading fishermen and especially wading night fishermen should pay careful attention to where they wade during the later moon phases. Don't wade out far as a result of the exaggerated low and then find yourself overcome by the incoming exaggerated high tide.

Wind
Wind can have a significant effect on an area. Fishermen sometimes fish for hours on a beach and catch nothing; then suddenly the wind changes from offshore to onshore; a school of frenzied bluefish comes to within 40 feet, and within an hour the fishermen have caught and released numerous fish. Granted, it is more difficult to cast into the wind, but it's worthwhile. Polarized sunglasses are vital during the day, and clear shooting glasses are best at night. Again, time on the water will help you determine the effect wind has on an area.

Tom Keer is a Fly Fisherman field editor. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has a home on Cape Cod.

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