Visualize tide patterns and find the best fishing windows
Fish move into shallows to feed. One of the best times, especially the last 2 hours before high tide. Target flats, marshes, and shoreline structure.
Current slows, fish spread out. Can be slower fishing. Use this time to reposition and target deeper channels.
Baitfish and shrimp funnel out of marshes through channels. Predators ambush at choke points, bridges, and drain mouths. First 2 hours of outgoing are excellent.
Fish concentrate in deeper holes and channels. Good for finding structure and locating fish for the next tide change.
The hour before and after tide changes (the "tide swing") is prime time. Current activates baitfish and triggers feeding. Slack water is generally the slowest period.