Why Tides Matter in Lure Fishing!

Ever headed out for a fishing session, full of hope, only to come back empty-handed? Chances are, the tides had something to do with it. A lot of anglers don’t think about how the tide affects fish movement, and that’s a big mistake. Fish aren’t just randomly swimming around—tides dictate when and where they feed. If you learn to work with the tide instead of against it, you’ll start catching more fish. Simple as that.

A lot of people think tides only matter for beach fishing, but that’s far from the truth. If you’re fishing in estuaries, harbours, or along the open coast, the tide plays a massive role in where the fish are and whether they’re feeding.

It’s not just about high tide and low tide—it’s about movement. Fast-moving water stirs up baitfish, which means predators like bass, are on the hunt. If you’re fishing when the water is slack (barely moving), chances are the fish won’t be as active. Timing your session around the tide’s movement can mean the difference between catching fish or just casting for hours with nothing to show for it.

Tides also influence water clarity and oxygen levels. Moving water oxygenates the area, making fish more active and likely to hunt. Stagnant water, especially in harbours or estuaries, can become murky with low oxygen, making it less attractive to predatory fish.

Tides come in two main types:

• Diurnal Tides: One high and one low tide per day.

• Semidiurnal Tides: Two high and two low tides per day.

Most places in the UK and Europe have semidiurnal tides, meaning two feeding windows per day if you time it right. The key is knowing when the tide is moving the fastest (the run-in and run-out periods) and avoiding slack water when fish are less active.

Tidal cycles don’t just impact water movement—they affect fish behavior, too. Around the new moon and full moon, tides are at their strongest (spring tides), which usually means better fishing. Neap tides (weaker tides) can be trickier, but that doesn’t mean you won’t catch fish—you just have to adjust your tactics.

Best Times to Fish Based on the Tides

• Rising Tide: Great for fishing in estuaries, harbours, and the open coast, as fish push in with the tide to feed. Predators will follow baitfish into shallow areas, making this an excellent time to target them.

• Falling Tide: Often good along the open coast, but this doesn’t mean that harbours and estuaries are off-limits during this time. The "ebbing" tide is when fish wait in ambush for bait being pulled out of estuaries and channels.

• Slack Tide: The quiet period between tides when fish tend to be less active—this is usually the worst time to fish, but they will still be there, just a little less aggressive.

Tides don’t just move fish around—they also expose or cover up key underwater structures where fish like to hang out. Understanding this can make all the difference in lure fishing:

• Estuaries: Look for channels, sandbanks, and weed beds that get covered on a rising tide—fish move in to hunt for small prey.

• Harbours: Piers, pontoons, and rock edges become prime spots as the tide flows past them, creating ambush opportunities for predatory fish.

• Open Coast: Reefs, gullies, and submerged rocks become feeding grounds when the water moves, as fish take advantage of baitfish being disoriented by the current.

Fish don’t want to waste energy fighting against the current. Instead, they sit in ambush spots where the tide brings food to them. If you can position yourself near a tidal funnel, an eddy, or an area where fast-moving water slows down, you’ll find fish waiting for an easy meal.

Lures that mimic struggling baitfish drifting with the current will get smashed! Soft plastics, jerkbaits, and surface lures can all be deadly when worked with the tide, rather than against it.

If you want to consistently catch fish, start paying attention to the tides. Check tidal charts before you head out, figure out when the water will be moving, and plan your session around the best feeding windows. Fish move with the tide, so if you do too, you’ll put yourself in the right place at the right time.

Next time you’re out fishing, don’t just hope for the best—use the tide to your advantage, and watch your catch rate skyrocket!