Learn me about tides

[Hula Popper]

OK, you fathers of the flats, you sirens of the salt air ... I need some learning.

I know something about tides ... the moon, gravitation, etc.

And I know the best time to catch something is "to fish the tides."

But what does "fish the tides" mean?

Is the best time an hour before low tide, hour after, what?

Help out a self-taught fisherman!

[tin can]

Most often, moving water is the key. Just my personal experience............if the water isn't moving, I don't catch much. Rising or falling is personal preference, and past experience.

[One Keeper]

My idea of a perfect tide is a high at 9:00am, That way you get there at daylight and fish 2 hours of the rise and also get to fish 2 hours of the fall and get off the water by noon before you melt. just my .02

[Barhopr]

http://saltfishing.about.com/od/tideswe ... 50317c.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
About as good an explanation as I have seen. don't agree with it all but for the most part sounds ok to me.

I personally like to fish about 2 hours before the bottom end of a negative tide and about half way between the bottom and the high.

[captkeyser]

It really depends on where and how your fishing. If you plan on fishing structure (oyster bars, rocks, points) for trout then I prefer a high tide right at sunrise. If you want to target tailing reds on the flat then I like a low tide in the morning. As the other folks mentioned, moving water is the key. I don't have a favorite, in coming, out going, whatever.... as long as it's moving.

[Hula Popper]

But when is water moving the most?

When I look at the tide tables, what should I be looking for if I want to be out there when the water is going somewhere?

And thanks for all the responses.

[Barhopr]

look for the shortest periods between the high and low that have the most fluctuation in the level of the tide. Usually around full and new moons. also a prime time is when the sun and moon are rising/setting around the same time........Hell, just go fishing, it's too hard to figure out

[boggob]

You could always look at tide graphs: http://www.rodnreeltides.com/LocationSelect.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Littoral]

Thinking that this question goes with fishing, not inshore reports.
Addressing your question. First, it's a real good one with no short answer.
The closest a short answer does get is "moving water".
I'm copying a link to a serious treasure of information. Understanding it (really) ain't easy.
First link is an article on tides.
http://www.skinnywateradventures.com/Mc ... tables.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Second link is a long list of other articles.
http://www.skinnywateradventures.com/Mc ... 0Index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I suggest reading them all, many times. I know it's helped me.

[Chalk]

Moving water is not the single key to successful fishing...you need to include the weather and god's nite light, the latter being the most important it induces nocturnality. During this period you generally have great water movement but don't catch nothing cause your desired target partied all night.

[birddog]

A good rule of thumb is last 2 hours of the rise and 1st hour of the fall. That being said, I mostly look at tide charts to see what time I can be in a certain place. Whether its launching the boat from a shallow ramp or gaining access to a creek. If I'm going fishing I'm gonna fish regardless of the tide.

The best tide for me seems to change with the seasons. Sometimes a flood tide rising seems best. Other times a slow fall all afternoon seems better. Some days a wimpy rise that drags all day can be great. Its way too complicated and no one seems to fully understand it, so just fish any chance you get.

Moving water, whether rising or falling seems to be best, but I can remember many days over the years when it was hot as the surface of the sun and the big trout just couldn't get enough of my soft jerkbait on a slack tide.

[Littoral]

Some days a wimpy rise that drags all day can be great.

These 1/4 moon days are some of my best because the right place/right time equation has a longer right time.
I think.