Current and Blackfish

[BoatGuy]

With fluke, the current matters. I went blackfishing and had a steady pick all day.

Does current mater less with blackfish?? Any advice you want to share, please do so.

 

[BoatGuy]

Know body considers the moon phase?

 

[AllyKat]

I've noticed that the more current there is, the more short fish hit the baits. When the tide eases or goes slack, thats when the big fish move in.
On the other hand, my cousin in VB says he has terrible luck when its slack tide, and the better fish hit during mid tide. The issue there is he fishes the Chesapeake bay, and the tides around the bridge/tunnel can be wicked and 16 oz of lead isn't uncommon.
I wont pay alot of attention to moon phase unless I'm fishing mid sound areas like 11B where its 80 ft on one side of the reef and 200' on the other, and the reef comes up to 30 feet....thats alot of current ripping through there.

 

[Matts]

I find the bite is often slow when the tide is slack, but
sometimes they bite all day and through the tide change and would follow my boat on anchor even as it swung from east/west to west/east.
sometimes they bite best near the changes.
sometimes they bite through the slack
sometimes the bite stops during the slack
mostly I just think about where i can use a jig so I'll fish shallower during max tide if I can

 

[Kona]

Seems as if there is a “ magic hour” when the bigger fish chew. Some areas it’s when the tide just starts to slow a little bit , others an hour before slack , another spot we regularly fish is slack. Time and patience will let you know , sometimes

 

[Kona]

!

 

[captmike28]

Seems as if there is a “ magic hour” when the bigger fish chew. Some areas it’s when the tide just starts to slow a little bit , others an hour before slack , another spot we regularly fish is slack. Time and patience will let you know , sometimes View attachment 108073
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I believe Kona makes an excellent point; Current speed is not only dependent upon the stage of the tide cycle but the actual location you are fishing. Some inshore, well protected drops will have a fairly slow current flow even at the maximum velocity of the current as related to the portion of the tide cycle you are fishing. Other more exposed locations will only allow about 60–90-minute periods where you can fish with sinker or jig weights less than the proverbial "boat anchor"!

It is also very true that while some fish may eat all day, most of the larger fish are a lot more wary and have a very specific portion of the tide when they will chew aggressively., In general, I think most will agree that the larger fish of any species are typically lazy and also wants to expend the least amount of energy when feeding. Hence, they seem to bite better during the slower portions of the current flow.

What make things even more interesting, and challenging is that stage of the tide when they put on the feed bag can shift from day to day. It's all part of trying several different locations and methods to solve the puzzle the fish put in front of us each trip.

 

[Snapprhead27]

So I booked a trip out of Freeport for Dec 4th and of course its a Full Moon. How is the open south shore waters compared to some protected waters on the North Shore with this moon?

 

[longcast]

 

[Snapprhead27]

View attachment 108623

 

[longcast]

All depends on the day.

 

[Snapprhead27]

All depends on the day.

Yea. I figured wind plays a huge part

 

[Hunter704]

So I booked a trip out of Freeport for Dec 4th and of course its a Full Moon. How is the open south shore waters compared to some protected waters on the North Shore with this moon?

Most moon tides can be relentless when fishing for bottom feeders even on the south shore

 

[Leprechaun]

Here mid-South Shore I’m no fan of blackfishing on a New or Full moon. Having said that, I’m sailing Thursday, right on the New Moon. This time of year we sail when the wind is down - and then hope for the best.