Missing the Bite? Mastering Tides for Inshore Fishing Success
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Artifical Lure Tips
Are You Missing the Bite? Mastering Tides for Inshore Fishing Success
Hey there, Salt Strong Nation—it’s Pat! If you’ve ever fished your favorite spot and come up empty, the tides might be working against you. Or maybe, you’re just not working with the tides.
Tides dictate where fish stage and feed, and understanding these patterns is the key to fishing smarter—not harder. Whether you’re on a flat, grass line, mangroves, or dock, knowing how fish respond to the water’s movement can make all the difference.
The #1 Mistake Anglers Make
Here’s the deal: finding a spot that holds fish isn’t enough. You need to position yourself correctly based on the tide. On a recent trip, I saw anglers fishing close to the fish but still missing them because they weren’t set up in the right place for that stage of the tide.
Small adjustments based on rising or falling water can make all the difference. And in the video, I’ll show you exactly how.
Think Like a Fish
Fish are simple—they want food and safety. Rising tides push them into shallow ambush points, while falling tides send them to deeper drop-offs or potholes. Grass lines, mangroves, and docks all follow similar rules: the tide dictates where fish feed and where you should cast.
Want to know the best spots for each tide cycle? Watch the full video above to learn the secrets of fishing with the tide instead of against it.
Tight lines,
Pat
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Thanks Pat. Just ran across this today and it helps with some key questions, especially this time of year (Jan ’26) when our waters are very low. In some spots right now you can walk out to the oyster reefs in just an inch or two of water. Crazy.
I wish I watched this video before I hit the flat Sunday. It makes perfect sense where I found fish now.
good information I think Im getting better understanding the tides and where to find fish locations.
Thanks for the advice Pat!
Great tutorial Pat, Thank you!!
Great video Pat. I get confused sometimes when the water is not behaving as I expect it to. I fish in Flagler Beach which is about 15-20 from inlets to the north or south. There are times the tide chart has the water as incoming but the current looks like it is outgoing. I don’t know if this is because of the wind or some other factor but I am not sure what to do when faced with these conditions. Thoughts?
I’m here in Flagler as well, I usually will use the tide station over at High Bridge to gauge my tides…or the one by Moody bridge. Those are usually the most accurate for our area. I also use the Salt Strong Smart Fishing spots…zoom in to the area you will be fishing, then pop up the tides/weather button. Super easy.
Very good information
Great video Pat! I like how simplified the tide cycles as it pertains to fishing.
Thanks Pat!
Thanks for sharing Pat!