So many things can determine the success of a fishing trip, but none are more important than the tide. Knowing how to determine the tides can help you become a better fisherman. Rising and falling tides get bait fish moving and larger game fish follow. Fish also use tides to carry them to and from their feeding grounds, so the rising tide tends to bring in more fish. Rising and falling tides are the best times for anyone to fish and the peak times are two hours before high and low tide, when the water is moving fastest. The worst time to fish is during slack tides, when the water is not rising or falling.

Tides are sea fluctuations caused primarily by the moon’s gravitational force. Tidal force creates high tides on the side of the earth that is closest to the moon, as well as the furthest side. As the earth rotates, New Smyrna Beach passes through each of these areas each day. A tide cycle takes 24 hours and 50 minutes. High tides occur 12 hours and 25 minutes apart. It takes 6 hours and 12.5 minutes for water to change from high to low tide and low to high tide.

Other atmospheric conditions, such as wind and rain, can also affect sea level. For example, higher than normal atmospheric pressure will cause lower sea levels; lower atmospheric pressure creates higher sea levels; strong winds blowing in the direction of the coastline will create higher tides and those moving in the opposite direction will create lower tides.

Good planning can help make the most of your fishing trip. Tide information specific to New Smyrna Beach is available at tides4fishing.com/us/florida-east-coast/new-smyrna-beach. Good tidings to you from Gerry’s Marina in New Smyrna Beach!