Neap tide thinking

[Bretto77]

I'm interested to see what others think about neap tides and fish behavior.  In my experience activity windows are generally shorter and less pronounced. 

Obviously there are many other variables at play here, (location, weather, time of year etc). Less current (in estuaries) generally decreases water turbidity due to suspended solids and increases sedimentation. It does not however always mean greater water clarity. 

I am interested to know how others approach fishing around neap tides in estuaries and bays?

[Old Scaley]

Same way I approach all other tides @Bretto77  Just get out when wind and weather allow and if you brain the fish it is a bonus. 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

I like fishing in the Brisbane River in neap tides more than king tides as it means I can have my baits in the zone for longer, as king tides normally sweep baits to the bank. In saying this I normally get bites in both scenarios, it just seems to depend on the day as to when the fish are chewing the most (or moon/tide). 

[ellicat]

I fish when I can. If one of the indicators happens at the time, even better.

Neap tides make it easier to fish different places that are horrible with big tides. e.g. the river is better on neaps imo. The Rous seems to fish a bit better with run, but is harder to fish. Harry's is better on the neap tides as the run is just too strong at other times.

The whiting in the Nerang bite better with more run.

[Old Scaley]

If I was you Brett I would use the neap tide to fish the Jumpinpin bar area for Jew. 

[Bretto77]

Yes I understand about just getting out when you can. When people can is limited by their own circumstances. Guess I am just wondering how much people consider in their approach to the time available?

 

 

 

[ellicat]

I don't consider it when I'm deciding whether I will fish a particular day. However, it does help determine where I will plan to fish.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

7 minutes ago, Bretto77 said:

Guess I am just wondering how much people consider in their approach to the time available?

1 minute ago, ellicat said:

I don't consider it when I'm deciding whether I will fish a particular day. However, it does help determine where I will plan to fish.

I do the same, if it were king tides I might go fishing in the freshwater parts or middle reaches of the river but neap/smaller tides would be more suitable for spots in the lower reaches.

[Bretto77]

9 minutes ago, ellicat said:

I don't consider it when I'm deciding whether I will fish a particular day. However, it does help determine where I will plan to fish.

That's more what I was getting at. @Andrew P @Daryl McPhee your input would be great .

To the whole community,  check back and post a pic of your neap tide success

[GregOug]

47 minutes ago, Old Scaley said:

Same way I approach all other tides @Bretto77  Just get out when wind and weather allow and if you brain the fish it is a bonus. 

That sums up fishing Moreton Bay perfectly.

[GregOug]

29 minutes ago, ellicat said:

I don't consider it when I'm deciding whether I will fish a particular day. However, it does help determine where I will plan to fish.

That only works if you have more than one spot!

[Doughnuts]

I'm not the biggest fan of neap tides, but I do watch the moon. I've always preferred a bit of run. For instance, if I'm chasing flatties it must be a .4 or lower low tide for me to go or a 2.2 or higher tide for freds in the river. It definitely works but it could just be a confidence thing too. If it's in the deep water and it's running to hard, put a bigger sinker on and tell the skipper to stay on a wheel. With that being said, if the weather is good and I'm allowed to go... who cares what the tides are doing hahahaha. 

[Daryl McPhee]

I only fish spring tides land based for tailor in winter in the bay for no other reason than where I fish does not have enough water over it. I need a night high of at least 2.1 metres to make it worthwhile. In the surf though I prefer neaps as long as the formations are good. 

Whiting I have places that fish on neaps and springs. 

[Bretto77]

48 minutes ago, GregOug said:

That sums up fishing Moreton Bay perfectly.

For the most of us yes. But there is more to the reality of what is actually going on than the will, wishes and convenience of human beings. I seem to recall a recent request for @Neil Stratford to be banned from the competition

[GregOug]

9 minutes ago, Bretto77 said:

For the most of us yes. But there is more to the reality of what is actually going on than the will, wishes and convenience of human beings. I seem to recall a recent request for @Neil Stratford to be banned from the competition

Who would do something like that? 

[Andrew_P]

I don’t really have any theories but like the others I’ll fish places with lots of current on the neaps and avoid them on springs. So more about fish ability than knowing fish will bite. 
putting my science hat on I know there are interactions between tide and moon phase which are difficult to untangle, but fish and crustaceans display different activity levels depending upon moon phase. 

[mangajack]

I actively target the neap and smaller tides each month for the Bris River...especially around the deeper locations or the lights.

Means I do not need to used 45 gram jigheads in some places...

[GregOug]

Emojis aren’t working for me. They’re all just question marks. Is that the same for everyone?

[Bretto77]

I can this far see the ones that yourself and I have included. Should I stop questioning further

[GregOug]

6 minutes ago, Bretto77 said:

I can this far see the ones that yourself and I have included. Should I stop questioning further

I mean the emojis that you click on to like etc for a post.

[Bretto77]

They have been gone for a couple of weeks or so for me. I'm grateful however for other small mercies within a  genuine small community outside of the other social amoebae's.

[mangajack]

No probs here...

[Neil Stratford]

The big tides create significantly more run when their flooding and ebbing , this often makes fish expended a  whole lot more energy to feed. Big tides also often make the water a lot more turbid in estuary’s. I personally dislike fishing the estuary’s during the big tides.In saying this the fish have still got to eat , so the tide changes  and eddies often create the  best opportunity for meet and greets with our fishy friends. I find the week before  and after the full and new moons good ,particularly if there’s a SE wind blowing , this always seems to get fish biting well where I fish .As for the neap tides , they’re ok depending what your targeting , and where. The run in the tide stirs up the bottom and banks of creeks and rivers this is often feeding time for fish if it’s not too strong, no run no fun is something worth considering , but if there’s too much run I”ll always look for eddies out of the main stream run.

Neil

 

 

[mangajack]

70cm of run tides this weekend....time to hit the deepest water in the rivers I think.