Tides play a major role in sea fishing. The rise and fall of the sea isn’t just a background detail — it directly affects where fish move, how they feed, and whether or not they can even reach your bait. Understanding how tides work helps you plan your sessions more effectively and fish smarter. If you fish the right tide at the right time in the right spot, your chances of success increase dramatically.
What Are Tides?
Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on the Earth’s oceans. Most coastlines experience two high tides and two low tides roughly every 24 hours and 50 minutes. This is known as a semidiurnal tide cycle.
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The time between high tide and the next low tide is around 6 hours.
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A full tidal cycle (from high to high) takes about 12 hours and 25 minutes.
Tides can vary in strength and height depending on your location, the phase of the moon, and local geography.
Spring and Neap Tides
Tidal ranges change depending on the moon’s phase. These changes affect how much water moves and how strongly it flows.
Spring Tides
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Occur during full and new moons.
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Tidal range is at its largest — very high highs and very low lows.
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Stronger water movement and more feeding activity.
Spring tides usually fish best, especially from the shore, as fish can access feeding grounds that are dry on smaller tides.
Neap Tides
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Occur during quarter moons (half moon in appearance).
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Tidal range is smallest — less water movement.
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Fish tend to stay deeper and feed less aggressively.
Some marks fish better on neap tides — particularly spots where too much tide would normally cause snags or weed.
Tidal Flow and Movement
Fish often feed best when the tide is moving — this is called the run. Slack water (the period just before or after high or low tide) is often less productive.
Key Feeding Windows:
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Flood tide (incoming tide): Often the most productive. Fish move closer to shore following the rising water.
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Ebb tide (outgoing tide): Still productive, especially for species that hunt on the drop.
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Slack water (around high and low tide): Short periods when water stops moving. Fish tend to slow down or move away.
Timing your session to match the active parts of the tide can double your chances of catching.
Tide Height and Range
Tide height is measured in metres or feet and refers to how much the sea rises above chart datum (the lowest tide level). Tide tables will show:
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High water time and height
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Low water time and height
The difference between high and low is called the tidal range. In many UK locations:
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A spring tide might rise 5–7 metres.
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A neap tide might rise only 2–3 metres.
Some beaches only fish well when enough water pushes in, especially shallow surf beaches or estuaries.
Moon Phases and Feeding
Moon phases affect more than just tidal height. Many anglers believe that certain moon phases also influence fish behaviour.
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New Moon: Strong tides, dark nights — good for species that feed in low light.
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Full Moon: Bright nights — some species feed less due to visibility.
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Quarter Moons: Neap tides — less current, more challenging conditions.
While not an exact science, tracking moon phases and matching them with successful trips can help spot patterns.
Weather and Tides Together
Tides don’t act alone. Wind and atmospheric pressure can either enhance or reduce tidal flow.
Wind:
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Onshore wind + flood tide: Builds surf and pushes baitfish in — great for bass.
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Offshore wind + ebb tide: Flattens the sea — often better for long-range fishing or targeting flatfish.
Pressure:
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Low pressure: Raises water levels slightly, can trigger feeding.
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High pressure: Often leads to calmer, clearer water — not always ideal for day feeding species.
Reading both the tide and weather forecast together helps plan more productive sessions.
Tide and Mark Choice
Some fishing marks only work at certain states of tide:
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Estuaries: Often best on the flood when fish push into the creeks and shallows.
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Beaches: Best fished 2 hours before and 2 hours after high tide.
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Rock marks: May only be safe or fishable at low water or mid tide.
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Piers and harbours: Can produce on any tide, but often peak just before or after high water.
Plan your spot around the tide. Some marks can become dangerous or cut off during rising tides, so always check access before you fish.