Tidal Fisheries- A Challenge For Many

Potomac River

Often times many anglers struggle in the DMV (District, MD/VA) when the move over into D.C. and waters moving southeast below Great Falls and the fall lines in a very similar way angler in Richmond struggle when they move from the Upper James River below Richmond and have to deal with the influences of the tides.

Ironically enough both fisheries experience the same circumstance when it comes to Smallmouth where below the fall lines there are far more limited populations of smallies for a stretch but eventually the tidal portion of the river system moves to predominately Largemouth Bass.

When most talk about the Upper Potomac for example its almost always about Smallmouth but that of course does not mean there are not some Largemouth around. Same with the Upper stretches of the James River.

Tidal fisheries offer distinct challenges especially for the kayak angler who really is not equipped to run massive areas like boaters can or as we know it as “run the tide”. Therefore what you find is most kayak bass anglers stick to defined areas in the river system like the creeks and play out the tide throughout the day while boaters will move in attempt to catch the best of the bite on the the right tide in various sections of the river at different times throughout the day given we experience 2+2 generally every day on the river. Two low tides and two high tides.

Tides can have a significant impact on bass fishing in tidal rivers. The movement of tides causes changes in water levels and currents, which can affect the behavior and location of bass, their prey, and the anglers targeting them.

An example of the tidal nature can be found here. Aquia Creek is a popular destination for kayak anglers so this is simply one example within the total Potomac River fishery:

https://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/Aquia-Creek-Virginia/tides/latest

When the tide is rising, water levels increase, and the water begins to flow upriver. This movement of water can push baitfish and other prey towards the shorelines and cover where bass are likely to be feeding. As the tide reaches its peak, the water may flood over the banks and into adjacent marshes and flats, providing bass with more opportunities to feed in these areas.

On the other hand, when the tide is falling, water levels drop, and the water flows out to sea. This movement of water can cause baitfish and other prey to be swept away from the shorelines and cover where bass are holding, making it more difficult for anglers to locate and catch them.

Therefore, anglers who are fishing in tidal rivers must pay close attention to the tide schedule and how it affects the behavior of bass and their prey. They may need to adjust their fishing techniques and target specific areas of the river at specific times of the tide to be successful.

For example, during the incoming tide, anglers may want to focus on fishing near the shorelines, drop-offs, and other areas where baitfish are likely to be pushed towards. As the tide reaches its peak, they may want to move into adjacent marshes and flats and target shallow areas where bass are feeding.

During the outgoing tide, anglers may want to focus on deeper areas and fish along channels, drop-offs, and other areas where bass are likely to be holding as the water flows out to sea. By understanding how tides impact bass behavior and adjusting their fishing strategies accordingly, anglers can increase their chances of success in tidal rivers.

The moon and the sun have a significant impact on the tides in rivers. The gravitational pull of the moon and the sun affects the water on Earth, causing it to bulge outward on opposite sides of the planet. This bulging effect creates high tides and low tides as the Earth rotates.

The moon has a more significant impact on the tides than the sun because it is much closer to the Earth. As the moon orbits the Earth, it exerts a gravitational pull on the water in rivers, causing it to bulge towards the moon. This bulge creates high tides in the areas of the river closest to the moon and low tides in the areas farthest from the moon.

The position of the moon in relation to the Earth also affects the tides. When the moon is full or new, its gravitational pull on the Earth is the strongest, creating the highest tides, known as spring tides. Conversely, when the moon is in its first or third quarter, its gravitational pull is less, and the tides are not as high, known as neap tides.

The sun also affects the tides in rivers, but its impact is not as strong as the moon's. When the sun is aligned with the moon, such as during a full or new moon, the gravitational pull of both celestial bodies combines, resulting in even higher high tides and lower low tides.

In summary, the moon's gravitational pull is the primary force that causes tides in rivers, while the sun's gravitational pull also contributes to the tides. By understanding the position and phases of the moon and sun, scientists and fishermen can predict the tides in rivers and plan their activities accordingly.

Fish feeding behavior in tidal rivers is largely influenced by the movement of water and the availability of prey. As the tide cycles, water levels rise and fall, causing changes in the flow of water, the distribution of prey, and the behavior of fish.

During high tide, fish are often more active and will move into shallow areas to feed. The rising water level and increased water flow can bring in a fresh supply of prey, such as baitfish, crabs, and shrimp, which can attract predatory fish such as bass, redfish, and flounder. These predators will often take advantage of the rising water to ambush prey in shallow areas, such as oyster bars, flats, and grass beds.

During low tide, the water level drops, and the current slows down, making it more difficult for fish to feed. However, some fish will move into deeper channels and holes where there may still be some flow and where they can find prey that has been left behind by the outgoing tide. Fish will often congregate around structure, such as bridges, piers, and jetties, where the water flow can be stronger, and prey can be concentrated.

As the tide changes from low to high, fish will often become more active again as the water flow picks up and prey are pushed back into shallow areas. This cycle of rising and falling tides can create a predictable pattern of fish feeding behavior, which anglers can use to their advantage.

It is important to note that the feeding behavior of fish can also vary based on the species, the time of year, and other environmental factors. Therefore, successful anglers must understand the habits and preferences of the fish they are targeting and adapt their fishing strategies accordingly.

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