Boat Fishing with the Tides
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Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Fishing Reports
Forum Description: Share information about your latest fishing trip
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105398
Printed Date: 29 May 2026 at 6:01am
Topic: Boat Fishing with the Tides
Posted By: Mijasm
Subject: Boat Fishing with the Tides
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2014 at 12:03pm
Hi All
I have a few questions that I am hoping that you can answer for me... I am new to boat fishing and hoping to learn a bit around the tides... This is mostly Wellington Region, but if you have any info relating to the Northern parts that would also be welcomed as I am heading up there end of the year...
1. Apparently going out in Spring Tide (when moon is full) is not the best time as the currents are strong and the swells are close to one another - Opinions?
2. Is there a difference between being out on the water during high tide and low tide - Opinions?
3. With surf casting you want to be out and about an hour before high tide comes in and if that is just before dusk or dawn, even better. Is this the same with boating - Opinions...
I would really appreciate if someone can please give me some tips around this and what works best... You opinions will be highly valued...
Thanks in advance..!
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Replies:
Posted By: Espresso
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2014 at 12:34pm
In terms of lure fishing in a boat I like Spring tides, more current = a good bite, unless the couple of days before or on a full moon, then the bite can sometimes be tough.
High tide and low tide - no huge difference when drift fishing in deeper water, apart from the normal slow down of around an hour both HT and LT.
HT can be more of a bite than LT, but I don't take much notice, other than when high or low, the bite generally is slower than mid tide (better current).
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Posted By: Mijasm
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2014 at 1:34pm
Posted By: uncleping_88
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2014 at 2:07pm
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Like espresso said a couple days before or after full moon can be slower but in saying that I have had some really good fishing days within 2 days before or after full moon period. If the weather allows you to, just go out. When I fish shallower waters, slack tide isn't good at all but out deeper it seems to be still ok but slows down a bit. I find dusk and dawn to be really good most of the time if the tides running but i always try to get out before dusk anyway.
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Posted By: DeKay
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2014 at 7:55am
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In Wellington when fishing with burley we try for wind with tide so you sit in the burley trail. Fishing with burley is normally better while the tide is running. If fishing the deep for puka etc we try to fish the slack over the turn of the tide. We don't worry about high or low too much. If fishing structure we try to fish the up current side of the reef.
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Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2014 at 9:32am
This sort of question has been made many times in the past.
In Auckland we have better more stable fishing weather.. so my comment applies to that
If one goes down the route of bite times, moon etc... then to have those matched up to weather windows.. thenb match that up to days no t working or whatever, u will be lucky to get out 3 or 4 times a yr
If the weather window is on, go....some days when bite time etc are bad.. it will still be all on, other times when bite time etc is good, hard fishing... in saying that .. even so one still sees the fish go on the bite under these influnces... so time heading out to suit anyway.. even if some fundamentals dont fit
Generally I like / prefer incoming tides....nothing across about 1 hr slack... go bait fish or set a long line, have lunch whatever.. week days, the fish seem less shy, and ASAP before or after a storm.
Except squiding.. slack tide , no current, clear water, so well between storms.
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Posted By: Mijasm
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2014 at 11:01am
Thanks to all for your advice and tips
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Posted By: Tonto2
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2014 at 1:29pm
To catch a fish, find a fish.
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slowly going where everyone else has already been
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Posted By: red rooster
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2014 at 2:11pm
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in wellington the tides are very strong. there is always current around here i try an go when tides are small [ if you are not fishing the harbour ] if you are new to boating i would chose small tides. get anchoring sorted
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Posted By: cirrus
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2014 at 3:10pm
Find a strong link between tides and catching fish. Going against grain but have found day before full moon very good fishing. Generally find the last 1.5 hours before and after low and same again before and after high the best. So when current is either slowing up or picking up . Find slack water poor (usually). If these times coincide with change of light its even better. But on the odd occasion when there is not too strong current mid tide can sometimes fire. Others will probably have different experiences ,but thats how i have found it.
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Posted By: DeKay
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2014 at 6:31pm
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Good point steps. Best time to go fishing is whenever you can.
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Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2014 at 9:32am
Yep and considering for 2 yrs now , all yr round we have always come home with a feed.
Mind u in the dark hard fishing winter months have been saved a few times by the long line soak of 1 or 2hrs.....(mentioned above drop / pick up in slack tide/ fishing times)
And unlike others , have yet to get the option of lure/ soft baiting working yet... so limited to bait burley.
If one goes out often all yr round, just to fish, it is very easy to fall into the bite time moon science roundabout side of things....
We / I did, and was gently reminded by a mentor we are very fortunate to have....
Heading out for a feed is ok...but boating is far more than that..its also about
the scenery,
the bays, go in to see what the sign on the beach says (no dogs , kiwi breeding)
cruising around close into rocks, looking, watching the shags feed the chicks on a rock face
The ocra that pop up suddenly 10m off the stern, and the fins are higher than u are
The Navy chassing down a trawler and fancy turns
Watch big square masted sailing ships come over the horzon and come within a few 100 ms
The dolphins and whales.
Weave ones way between rocks onto a tiny beach, and go for a walk, and/or have a basic snorkel and fins and have a look around.
A lot ppl .. it about head out catch the change light head home by 10:30 am bin full
We ... its head out for the day, if get a feed (always do) and come in when ready.
So an ave day, subject to tides etc, meet at home somewhere between 4:30 am and 7 am.. hit the fishing grounds about 1 3/4 hrs later... then head back between 1pm and 3:30pm
Boat cleaned/ water blasted down, engine flushed, gear cleaned, fish filleted, frames to ppl down the road, done by 4pm to 6:30 pm.
And the cost.. about the same as a round of golf, less than a couple hrs at the movies, or elcheapo day charter,
Boat/ fishing is far more than just catching fish or hanging a line over the side..
And that has to be one of the best bits of advice our mentor has given us
And lets not forget the good company....
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