Using Clues To Find Fish On An Outgoing Tide In A New Area
- By: Matthew Lanier
- on
Gaining knowledge of your surroundings and using clues to find fish on an outgoing tide is an excellent way to get tight lines in a new area!
I stopped off in Jacksonville, Florida to scout for an upcoming tournament.
It took a little bit but once I dialed into a trend, all I needed from there on out was ONE lure to get the job done.
Find out more below!!
Using Clues To Find Fish On An Outgoing Tide [VIDEO]
Become A Better Angler While Saving Time & Money
Equipment Used:
First Setup:
- Rod Used: TFO PRO S Professional Spinning Rods
- Reel Used: Daiwa BG MQ Series
- Mainline: 15lb Daiwa J-Braid x8 Grand Braid
- Leader: 30 lb Ande Monofilament
- Lure: Strike King KVD 2.5″ Wake Bait
- Scent: Dr. Juice® Saltwater Slam Exclusive Scent
Second Setup:
- Rod Used: Bull Bay Bolt 7’6″ Med/Fast
- Reel Used: Daiwa BG MQ Series
- Mainline: 10lb Daiwa J-Braid x8 Grand Braid
- Leader: 20 lb Ande Monofilament
- Hook: Z-Man Texas Eye Jighead
- Lure: Z-Man Kicker CrabZ
- Scent: Dr. Juice® Saltwater Slam Exclusive Scent
Third Setup:
- Rods Used: Slot Machine Custom Rod
- Reel Used: Daiwa Procyon MQ Spinning Reel
- Mainline: 10lb Daiwa J-Braid x8 Grand Braid
- Leader: 20 lb Ande Monofilament
- Hook: Z-Man Texas Eye Jighead
- Lure: Z-Man Slam Shady Scented Jerk ShadZ
- Scent: Dr. Juice® Saltwater Slam Exclusive Scent
Note: Here’s a list of my core assortment of lures that I take out on every trip in case you’d like to see my most trusted lures: Panhandle Big Bend Inshore Tackle Bundle
I launched from the North shore of the St. John’s River with the intention to fish Chicopit Bay over on the South shoreline.
So I had to safely make the journey across the St. John’s to get to the spots I picked out.
Chicopit Bay and the surrounding creeks make up an elaborate marsh creek system.
The tide was high to start the morning which meant I had to push far back into flooded grass.
Once I got to the area, I pulled up Smart Fishing Spots on my phone to confirm the location of oyster bars in the back of this creek system.
After finding those oyster bars with the help of Smart Fishing Spots, I headed straight for them and started fishing.
Lure Selection
I was working the Z-Man Kicker CrabZ and a redfish came up and swallowed it not more than 3 feet from the kayak.
Just a little while later, an entire school of big redfish came swimming by and I had the Wake Bait tied on.
I have never had redfish turn down the Wake Bait until this moment.
My thought was maybe it was a bit too aggressive for these fish under the conditions.
So I changed it up and went back to the Kicker CrabZ.
When working the Z-Man Kicker CrabZ, you want to be smooth and consistent.
Erratic jerks and movements appear unnatural and will likely spook fish away.
After fishing in Jacksonville and areas with lots of oyster bars, I recommend bumping up to 30lb leader material.
By this point in the trip, I was locked into the trend: target shallow water oyster bars.
The water levels started to get really low back where I was as the tide turned over.
On my way out, I found an area with a nice drop-off and threw a few casts there.
Most if not all the fish I caught had bright, blue tails indicating they fed on a heavy crustacean-based diet.
I threw out the F.R.E.D. paddletail just to shake things up and hooked into a solid trout in the same spot.
Those two trout capped off the trip and I made the journey back across the St. John’s to my launch site.
Picking Up On Inshore Trends
In this area in particular, there is a massive tide swing.
They often range from 4-6 feet or even more.
This poses an obstacle when trying to locate fish at the highest point in the tide and the lowest as well.
Having an idea in your mind along with a plan of attack will lead to your success.
During the first third of the outgoing tide, I was able to pinpoint areas that would dump out water first and work my way out with the tide.
If you are fishing a 6-foot tide drop in an area that only holds 3 feet of water, that is where those fish will be first until the water moves out.
Then they will move to stage in deeper pockets of water.
If you don’t know where to start, that’s where we come in.
We give our members the resources and tools they need to consistently find and catch more fish in less time while saving money.
Smart Fishing Spots, Smart Fishing Tides, Mastery Courses, and Tackle Discounts are just the tip of the iceberg.
If you aren’t catching the quantity or quality of fish you want, then think about joining us in the Insider Club.
Did you enjoy this on-the-water video?
What other types of lure contests or experiments do you want to see?
Please leave a comment below!!!
Become A Better Angler While Saving Time & Money
Finding The Fish Help
In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.
1. Weekend Game Plans (updated weekly)
These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.
2. Smart Fishing Spots Platform (updated every 15 minutes)
This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.
3. Community Reports (live feed)
The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Yea I know that area but have not fished it in years and I will bet you launched out of jim king or Joe carlucci boat ramps in the sisters creek area those ramps would be on the opposite side of the river as chicopit bay is although you could of launched at the oak harbor boat ramp but then you would of had a good haul going to chicopit bay either way it doesnt matter you got where you needed to be that area gets really hit hard in the summer months and for me being a true yankee at heart I don’t fish a whole lot in the day because of the ungodly heat I night fish mostly hitting docks until low tide then I may sleep a little until the tide is high enough to start fishing again then b about 10 to maybe 11am at the latest I’m gone wrapping myself up like an ancient Egyptian mummy and fishing in the heat is not my way of fun fishing when it’s to hot to me its not worth it but thats me I know alot of you guys have light skin tones that burn easily fortunately for me I don’t I tan really easily and apply good sunblock with tanning agents in them when I’m fishing those few morning hours before heading home but like I said that’s me thanks for the info and all you do👍😉
I actually launched there on the side of the road on the north side of the St johns. It was sporty but we got there! I appreciate you watching Steven!
Good report
Thanks Dennis!