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What tides do you find to be the most productive, and the least? How does this vary based on the different environment from where you're fishing - beach, bay, jetty, pier.

I'm sick of going to the same spots and getting skunked over and over. At what point do you say this isnt fun anymore I'm just wasting time and money with nothing to show for it except a fish or two you cant even keep. And Ive noticed more often than not the crowd of people along the water with me arent finding fish either. I'm going to try surf casting this season and experiment at new areas along the coast instead of digging through forums for a popular place to fish only to go there and be disappointed. But Im not sure what I should be looking for, what are promising signs of fish. lIf im going to explore I want to at least do it methodically based on logic instead of just hoping this is a lucky spot. Obviously theres increased activity at dawn and dusk. Is the middle of the night a time of inactivity like middle of the day typically is? Then you have the tides that play a role. From what Ive gathered the moving tide creates underwater movement and turbulance that releases food and nutrients for baitfish and/or disorients them. Our target fish then move in on these vulnerable bait fish. Ive read the sweet spot is 2 hours before or after high and low tides is that right? Why would you want to start fishing 2 hours before high tide? i can see 2 hours after high tide, the water starts picking up speed and carrying baitfish from their inland waterways toward the open ocean, forcing them through chokepoints along the way that Target fish exploit. But 2 hours before high tide, the water is moving lazily inland I dont understand why that would be beneficial for action. And im not sure why there is an advantage of fishing around low tide. What other environment features can you read like you can a chokepoint? In a cove for example are you more likely to find fish at the entrance or deep inside? in shade or in shadow ? are they attracted to current eddies or calmer water? I know fish like structure would it be useful to study underwater topography charts where can i access detailed charts on a specific area?

New to the Portland area and curious to hear some favorites from locals: 1. Tide/time of day? 2. Top water lure? 3. Swim/crank bait? 4. Colors? 5. Any local shops or people making good bucktails? So far I've been fishing the outgoing at dawn at a tidal river with moderately strong current. I've had some success using techniques that have worked for me in NYC/cape cod waters using white bucktails, bone sp minnow, tsunami swim shad and white/blue talkin popper, but I'm wondering if any locals have some experienced advice to offer. Thanks for any info, Ryan

hello new to surf fishing and was looking for some advice about tides and witch tides people have had better luck on i am looking to head down there some night would wading there be smart or is it to risky any help thanks mike

I've been working on a website to show water currents using data feeds from NOAA. Tide charts are not always accurate for some bodies of water (like Chesapeake Bay) and don't show water current speed. * to show water current speed and directions over top of a Google map. I've tested it here in VA but it includes data feeds from Main to FL and over to TX as well as the west coast. I could use some user feedback from others in different locations. The data is as accurate as what NOAA provides. If you click one of the current arrows it will even pull a 48 hour prediction from their site. From the main page, click a nearby location listing or just click on one of the regions in the map. It should also work on iPhone and Android. Thanks