General Tips – Best time of day to fish

A tide chart should be the first thing you organise for any fishing trip, because if you’re not fishing at the right time, no matter how effective the rest of your methods are, you’re limiting your chances. Charts are freely available at tackle stores and on the internet.

Fishing 90 minutes either side of a tide change is a good guide. Focussing on these times will help you recognise fishing opportunities. For example, if you’re fishing an estuary during the last of the run out (approaching low tide), then focus your efforts around the mouth of the river and tributary junctions; anywhere the water is forced to move through a restricted area. The tidal movement will create ambush points for predatory fish around these areas and that’s where you should be fishing.

If you’re fishing the last of the run in (approaching high tide), then focus on those areas where the high water allows predators access to food rich areas inaccessible at any other time during the tidal cycle, such as sand flats that house a lot of yabbies, or shallow mangroves and rock bars. Fish won’t waste such an opportunity, nor should anglers.

The best fishing times aren’t always convenient, but with four tides a day, at least one of them should fit into your schedule.