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An Experiment - Do Tidal Pulls Influence Fresh Water Fishing?
Blog by: Lloyd Tackitt 3/20/2017 (Return to blogs)
Tides - the rise and fall of seal levels caused by the combined effects of gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun and the rotation of the earth.
And of course we only think about tides in relation to the ocean, or more specifically to the shore line. But these forces are exerted not just where there is ocean, but across the entire face of the planet. Even in Death Valley. It is just that without huge bodies of water it isn't a visible thing.
Salt water fishermen know that tides are important to fishing success. But what about fresh water fishing? Does the tidal influence on a river or lake or pond have an influence on the fish?
This is basically a twice per day event, one low and one high per roughly 24 hours.
Here's the experiment - go to this website, enter your location, and then generally pay attention to where the tide will be when you go fishing. See if you notice a difference coinciding with either low or high tide peak time.
Just for grins.
https://www.worldtides.info/
And of course we only think about tides in relation to the ocean, or more specifically to the shore line. But these forces are exerted not just where there is ocean, but across the entire face of the planet. Even in Death Valley. It is just that without huge bodies of water it isn't a visible thing.
Salt water fishermen know that tides are important to fishing success. But what about fresh water fishing? Does the tidal influence on a river or lake or pond have an influence on the fish?
This is basically a twice per day event, one low and one high per roughly 24 hours.
Here's the experiment - go to this website, enter your location, and then generally pay attention to where the tide will be when you go fishing. See if you notice a difference coinciding with either low or high tide peak time.
Just for grins.
https://www.worldtides.info/
Blog content © Lloyd Tackitt
Comments
Dave Mauldin
03.22.17 8:05 PM
Yes, and technically, it is not the tides which affect fish and other wildlife....but the gravitational forces created by the relationship of the sun and moon and earth.
Tides are one of the results....
Lloyd Tackitt (author, aka Lloyd Tackitt)
03.23.17 10:00 AM
One place I read that the earth's crust is displaced by as much as 18" vertical by the gravitational pulls.
handyleckman
03.30.17 6:47 AM
I own a Casio fishing watch that indicates when fishing is suppose to be at it best or worst according to the fish gauge. The watch's main function, to know when it is best to fish, is based primarily on the culmination of moon age and phase, which translates to moons position in relation to the earth at any given time. After having tested the watch's efficiency over several months, I am thoroughly convinced that the gravitational pull of the moon certainly affects freshwater species as well. it especially seems to be more noticeable in more aggressive or predative species. I believe the larger fish experience a disomcomfort within their air sac that allows them to stay afloat. If the moon is directly above or below your current position, it will have the greatest effect on this air sac.
Lloyd Tackitt (author, aka Lloyd Tackitt)
03.30.17 7:27 AM
I've not heard of the watch before, but what a great idea! And with that you can be pretty spot on with observations. Thanks for the feedback, that is solid information and I'm glad to have it.
Desertsky
04.03.17 1:26 PM
Tide tables are just another expression of Solunar tables, so, yes, tides do affect fishing.
Lloyd Tackitt (author, aka Lloyd Tackitt)
04.04.17 9:06 AM
Apparently the earths surface bulges up just as the oceans do - with a maximum bulge of 12 inches. In other words the ground under our feet raises and lowers by as much as a foot a couple times a day. Kind of odd to think of.
About the Author
I live on the edge of the Brazos River. I walk out my front door and into the river and - boom - I am fishing just like that. For me the river is fascinating. The mile long stretch I fish is a microcosm of the river, I have it all in that one mile. Trying to figure out where the fish are, what they are doing, why they are doing it, what they are biting, if they are biting - this is what keeps me in the river casting flys. I fly fish almost exclusively. It isn’t that I am a fly fishing snob, it’s that fly fishing works – it’s effective - and it has added benefits. I carry all my tackle in a vest, no tackle box needs to be dragged along. The casting itself is fun, even when I don’t catch fish I’ve enjoyed the experience of casting. Fly rods enhance the experience of bringing fish in. I like the hands on the line feel instead of the feel of line spooling up on a reel and muted down through a gear and crank system. Fish fight better and feel better on a fly rod. Fly fishing just feels better to me than other methods.