Best Times To Fish. Does No Run Really Mean No Fun?

The Best Times To Fish Are Often Determined By Flow

When fishing ocean, coastal and estuarine waters the best fishing times are usually determined by today movement primarily, and influenced by other factors. The interplay between high and low tides should be a fishing calendar for the savvy angler. knowing where to fish on each phase of the tide is pivotal as these moments often see increased fish activity as water movement stimulates feeding.

River Currents: Navigating the Flow

River fishing dynamics can be a bit simpler to figure out as the flow is uni-directional. Rivers are still dynamic though, and periods after heavy rains or during early spring runoff can create flow features that concentrate fish, making them more accessible to anglers using lures.

Wind-Driven Currents: The Unseen Force

Water movement in lakes is just as important as it is in coastal and estuarine scenarios, yet a lot of anglers are unaware that currents even exist in lakes. Currents in lakes are created by wind, often in combination with stratification processes. Understanding this will not only make it easier to find fish, but also to know which angle to present a lure from. Periods of “no run, no fun” often coincide with multiple successive days of calm, still conditions. The best fishing times in lakes typically coincide with periods when the wind is blowing consistently from one direction.

Combining Temperature, Clarity, and Flow

Whilst water movement is a key factor in in choosing the best time to fish a particular location, other significant factors also influence the fishing. The trio of temperature, water clarity, and movement dictates fish positioning and lure choice.  Understanding these elements can guide anglers to adjust their techniques and lure selections for optimised results.

Practical Takeaways: Waterways Are Dynamic, Timing is Everything

The question “what’s the best time to fish for….<species” is better asked as “what’s the best time to fish for <species> at <location>“.

More often than not, it comes down to periods when water movement creates opportunities for bait to aggregate and predators to ambush. When those events coincide with low light periods, the opportunity gets even hotter. As a general rule, glamour, glass-out days tend not to fish so well. But then, rules are meant to be broken.