The stage of the tide, and how hard the current runs has a definite impact on fishing, both inshore and offshore. Knowing how to read tide charts correctly and apply that data to your fishing will determine how successful your fishing day on the water might be.

All tide charts show the date and time of the high and low waters but not all show the height of the tide. The height above mean low water can make the difference between catching fish or going home skunked. The height makes a difference because the flow of the current becomes stronger as the height increases, which causes the water to becomes turbid. Turbidity is suspended silt which has been stirred up from bottom sediment. Turbid water reduces the chances of the fish seeing your bait. This is especially important when fishing artificial lures. Scent and sound become more important as turbidity of the water increases. Simple fact, the larger the difference between the high tide and the low tide, the faster the tidal current.

To understand what takes place during periods of strong tides, you must put tides in perspective with moon phases. Get a tide chart and find the moon phases. You will find four different phases of the moon: (1) new, (2) first quarter, (3) full, and (4) last quarter.

New Moon:

This is the period when nights are dark with no or very little moon showing. Look at the height of the tide two to four days prior to the actual new moon. You will notice that the tides gradually increase in height. This increase is caused by the increased gravitational pull of the moon during this phase. This increase in tidal height causes turbid water. Try to limit your fishing during this time to areas of hard clean bottom. When I book an inshore trip around new moon, I often fish off Homosassa where the bottom has less silt during fast tides.

First Quarter:

Slower tides result in clearer water. Notice on your tide chart that the difference between high tide heights and low tide heights are fairly small. During the waxing phase (moon gets larger) the current will not be as strong and the waters will be much clearer. Easier fishing at this time.

Full Moon:

Just as with the new moon phase, you will see an upswing in tide heights starting about three days prior to the full moon and extending about the same number after the full moon. One of the low tides each day will be in the minus range also, creating even more difference between high and low water. These high tides make it difficult to catch fish because of the turbid water conditions. An additional problem occurs during this phase. Additional light from the moon gives fish the opportunity to feed more successfully at night. The first 2 days after full moon can be extremely hard for me both inshore and offshore with the moon‘s light increasing after midnight. I find best fishing during this moon phase in the afternoon.

Last Quarter:

This is referred to as the "waning" phase (moon gets smaller). As with the first quarter, you will find that the tides will be down within the "good fishing" range

Here is an excerpt from a tide table for the month of December, 2000. I selected only the dates for each of the moon phases. Note the difference between high and low tide on each moon phase.

1st Quarter 12/04/2000 Low 2:07 AM +1.3’ Hi 6:57 AM +2.3’ 48% moon light

Low 2:34 PM +0.6’ Hi 8:29 PM +2.6’

Full Moon 12/11/2000 Hi 12:25 AM +3.6’ Low 8:25 AM -1.1’ 99% moon light

Hi 2:17 PM +3.3’ Low 8:13 PM +1.1’

4th Quarter 12/18/2000 Low 1:57 AM +0.9’ Hi 7:05 AM +2.3’ 50% moon light

Low 2:20 PM +0.7’ Hi 8:08 PM +2.6’

New Moon 12/25/2000 Hi 12:35 AM +3.2’ Low 8:28 AM -0.7’ 0% moon light

Hi 2:03 PM +2.8’ Low 8:02 PM +1.1’

On 12/04 on the day of the first quarter there is only 1.0’ difference between high and low tide. This equates to a mighty slow moving tide. On the Full moon tide of 12/11 the difference between high and low tide is 4.7’ resulting in the fastest tide of the month. Don’t get caught too far "up the creek" on the 25th as the water falls or you will be in for several hours of swearing and swatting at sand gnats and skeeters while waiting on enough water to get back out.