Mid Severn Report: What a truely lousy day to go fishing.....

[manlystanley]

I launched today at 5:30 AM. first thing I noticed was the lack of fish breaking water. Then, I paddled all over Harold harbor (mid Severn) and got two rock fish for the day: 16 and 18 inches. The bite was very light. I finally gave up at 9:30 and went to work.

I noticed that the tide was rising the entire time I was fishing: Low 4:00 AM; High: 10:00 AM. As a question: I read here that the falling tide is the best one to fish. Is that true??

So, I have yet to get my first keeper Rock fish. But, will keep trying...

From now on, I'm going to always bring a perch rod.


Best Regards,
Stan

[YakCapn]

Yep, I've learned the same thing this year. Bring the perch rod. My strategy is now if I get no bites trolling in the first 1-2 hours then I spend the next 1-2 hours going for perch.

I gather that falling tide is better all things being equal, but I also think there are so many other factors that can override that, I never know which one matters most. Using the peak time indicator on tidesforfishing is generally my overall approach for selecting the best time to go fishing and then I check windfinder and make sure the winds are no more than 10-12 mph.

[J.A. Veil]

Others on Snaggedline may have firm opinions on which tide produces the best bites. I am less worried about that. My preference is to have at least several hours of my trip during times when the tidal current is moving. For many years when I worked full time, I planned my trips solely around when I had the spare time to go, and did not worry much about tides. I still caught fish. These days with much more open schedules, I do consider the tide somewhat and may change my launch time, launch point, or route direction to maximize tidal flow.

Also different locations or habitats may produce better on incoming or outgoing tide. If you can find a creek or channel coming out of a wetlands or marshy area, that is generally a good place to try on an outgoing tide. The dropping water level forces small bait items out of the cover of the grasses and allows predators to wait for their food to come to them.

I spend a lot of time fishing in the Severn creeks. The further upstream in a creek I go, the less the tidal flow will move past any point. I feel that current is not as important in those areas that experience relatively little tidal movement naturally.

To some extent, the direction you are trolling or casting may influence whether you catch better on an incoming or outgoing tide. I heard an interesting presentation by Capt Brady Bounds a few weeks ago. He is a light tackle guide in Southern MD who is one of the earliest practitioners of light tackle fishing in the bay. He suggested that he improves his odds by casting across the current in front and behind structure rather than casting directly upstream or directly downstream.

Clearly there are many variables. So far in 2018, the Severn has not produced as well as in many previous years. Having slow catches this year does not necessarily mean you are fishing in a "wrong" way. It may mean that you are fishing where the fish are not plentiful (never a good idea).

[Mark]

I like a high, falling tide for the simple reason that it furnishes more water in the areas I like to fish. I like to see water lapping into reeds or high on a riprap wall.

But I do not limit my outings based on tide. I look for favorable tides, of course, but I go out when I can. I think the important thing is for the water to moving, in or out, to provide the best fishing.

John is right that the tidal flow is less deep into creeks. Tide is of little consequence in those sites. A strong wind can actually remove the water leaving mud exposed even on a high tide. In fact, if you're traveling east on Route 50 between Exits 23 and 24 glance to your right into Weems Creek. On a very windy day, you may see no water in the creek regardless of tide.

Also, for reasons I'll never understand because it deals with the sun and moon and the earth's position between them, not all tides are created equal. Some tides move more water than others.

So, I look at the tide charts only to get a sense of expectation. But I'm never surprised at the actual water level when I get to where I want to go.

[manlystanley]

Mark and John: Great advice, thanks. Both of you guys, say that moving tide seems best, with Mark saying: High moving low works best for him. I think for me the problem was other issues, besides the tide.

Maybe, like John said: Fish were not there....

The weather looks to be a little cooler. However, even with sunscreen, I'm getting too much sun this year. I'll be coming in by: 9:30.

Best Regards,
Stan