Was wondering if anyone thinks that this weekends wildly fluctuating tides will be good for anything but clamming?
Thinking of trying for some lings, but I imagine the currents between low and high will prohibit successful fishing (without using the anchor to get it down)..

Input GREATLY appreciated!

MC

If you are going for bottom fish, fish the hour before and hour after the tide change. Other than that, you will just be having a nice boat ride. Big tide swings are horrible for bottom fishing.

going digging myself

MC,

Assuming you have downriggers, there are two keys to large tide swings to increase your success:

(1) Find structure (depressions or ledges) in deep water where bait can get out of the current.
(2) Fish deep- 150' plus. Don't be afraid to head down to 200' or more to find salmon.
There is a lot less current in the deeper water.

Personally, I almost enjoy the large swings- less folks on the water increasing my chances..

I feel salmon become more aggressive during large swings. The bait is more or less scatters into smaller schools in deep water making harder for Mr Blackmouth to feed constantly. Now he is on the prowl. Therefore, if you work areas that I've mentioned, it is only a matter of time before Mr Blackmouth comes around and instinctively looks for food in areas he knows and been before. Your chances are greater if he hears, sees, and smells your offering- fish on!

On a side note, looking at the lunar tables, it is 98% illumination... Pray for overcast skies.
The fish will be a little more hungry in the morning.

Please note I am not implying that it is easier to catch fish during a large tide swing. It is actually harder because the fish and bait don't school as heavy and your techniques have to change slightly. However, if you can find these areas, learn them well and fish them hard.

If you don't have downriggers, there is always resident silvers hovering around. My beach bum buddies have told me that Doc's (Tacoma) and the shallow waters on the south end of Anderson Island have been doing pretty good.
The numbers seem a little down this year. My guess the zooplanton bloom hasn't hit full force yet- especially with these tides.

Lastly, don't let the tides make a decision to go fishing for you. If we all waiting to "ideal" tides, we'd only fish maybe 10 days out of the year.

Hope this helps!

I'm with DR, some of my worst trips production wise have been on "IDEAL" tides. Some movement is a must in my book. Hottest action has been on slack tides after a big swing.

Thanks all, you folks are the best. Good luck to all, and lets all enjoy the crabs and clams!

MC

*** Low Tide Stew ***

In a big pot -
2 large cans V-8
1 32oz can whole cooked tomatoes
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 Bunch Celery
1 Bag of Baby Carrots
a couple or 3 jalepenos
1 pound little baby potatoes (yukon gold)
A bit of salt
Pepper
Bring this to a simmer on the fire. When the taters are done,throw in a limit of clams. When them little buggers start to fall out of the shell, throw in a limit of oysters (a jarful). If it ain't spicy enough, use tabasco to taste. Sometimes we throw in Trout or whatever else is handy. Halibut from last weekend this time around.

Gutz this was a non food thread

Just made the most killer (you DONT want the recipe.. not heart food!) seafood chowder for my wife for MD...... Even her picky sons had 3 bowls apiece.....

Slobber slobber, drool drool.... ;-)~

Thanks Gutz, I'll hafta try it!

MC :p