This Is How To Catch Fish During Slack Tide (2 Tips)
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Weekly Newsletter: 3-28-21
“Find moving water.”
That’s one of the tips we always give to help people find feeding fish.
But what if it’s slack tide and there is no moving water?
What then?
That’s a great question and in this video, you’ll see how to catch fish during slack tide.
Check it out below!
How To Catch Fish During Slack Tide [VIDEO]
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Here are two tips for catching fish during slack tide:
1. Find some sort of moving water
Just because the tide isn’t moving doesn’t mean there’s no moving water.
One way you can find moving water is by looking for places where there’s runoff from the land coming into the creek or bay.
Another thing that could cause the water to move is the wind.
You can find chokepoints where the wind is blowing between two islands, or a point that juts out perpendicular to the wind.
You can also fish windblown shorelines where the wind is churning up the water and corralling the bait.
2. Target passes and inlets
When the current is ripping, it can be tough to fish these areas, but when it’s slower, it’s easier.
Also, in many cases, right before and after the slack periods is the best bite.
I love fishing the flats or shorelines when the tide is ripping, then heading out to the inlets and passes before, after, and during slack tide.
Conclusion
Fish love moving water, and just because the tide is slack doesn’t mean there’s no moving water to be found.
You can use runoff, spillways, or the wind to find moving water.
And you can also fish inlets and passes where the current is usually too strong to fish when it’s really ripping.
Have any questions about catching fish during slack tide?
Or any other tips for this time?
Let me know down in the comments.
And if you know someone who’s sick of getting tripped up by slack tide, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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Great advice.
Am I tracking this right, during the slack, current trump’s structure?
I know both are great together, so if I’m in an area with oysterbars, with mangroves, sea grass etc but no flow, I should move to follow the flow to perhaps a bridge or channel that is moving?
Technically, I’d argue that structure trumps everything else because current without structure is not a good thing.
But you’re right in saying that it’s smart to target funnel zones like inlets/passes during the slack periods because those zones generally have the quickest turn of the tides and they can be very good when the current flow is not at max speed vs. the more inland zones that are often at their best at max flow.
What do you have for weedless?
Luke, I was watching your video on how to spool a new reel. I just purchased a Dawa BG 2500D-H from Salt Strong & it says that its “Braid Ready”. So do I need to put Backing on this reel or not? Im going to load J Braid 8 (15 lb). I am an Insider & enjoy all your pointers to help me catch more fish!
Tight Lines
Bob Hartwein
great job
Thanks Walt!
As always great Job with the tips and knowledge Luke! Blessings to you and family.
Thanks Guy!
I always use tide vs. wind . I am in a place ( everglades) with islands and alot of cuts . My formula is 60/40. If the tide is less than 40 precent I look at the wind . The simplest term if the wind is stronger than the tide go tight spots. I always try to move with the flow of the fish .
Thanks again for all the great info.
Salt Strong for life.
Thanks for making time to leave the great comment John!
I am finding your information very informative. But I do have one complaint, you suggested a book to read “The Scientific Angler” by Paul C Johnson. but this book is not in print any more and it is way to expensive for mere mortal to purchase what can you do about rectifying this dilemma
any help?
We wish we could help rectify the dilemma in getting the book. The good news is that you’ll be learning all of the core concepts from the book (plus more) from our weekly tips.
Try checking out your local public library, and if they do not have the title in their branches, you can still find the book by using their interlibrary loan, which searches all libraries throughout the U.S. that’s in their system. I know I had the book title in a few weeks in my hands to read for a couple of weeks.
Great suggestion David!
try THRIFTBOOKS , they have been very good to me !! I have seen it offered lately . Good luck , gotta go, fishing picking up here on HATTERAS
and Ocracoke, We will haul you back and forth for FREE on the ferry !!!
Great input! How many times have I been caught by the “Dead Tide”! Certainly makes sense! Thanks Luke
Thanks Bob!
I’ve also found moving to the tide progression is another to get back on moving water. In a boat you can usually crank up and take a short 15 to 20 minute run against the tide progression to get back on the start of the next tide. On the East Coast of Florida the tide progresses towards the North.
Very true!
My grandpa sent me this. Ever since I read this I have caught so much more fish. Thanks! 🐠 🐟 🎣
How awesome!