Thread: Tide on Pier Fishing

What effect does the tide have on pier fishing? Heading down at the end of September, what will be biting then? Looking to bring some fish back home. Thanks!!

The affect is subtle, while anything but negligable.
It affect the movements of baitfish (thus gamefish) from deeper to shallower water and back depending upon the movement and variation of the tide.
An outgoing tide can 'drag' dingy water from breakers on the sandbar out past the end of the pier.
Or an incoming tide can 'push' dingy water toward the beach.
Also the outflow from Perdido Pass can at times (with an east or SE wind) move a 'tideline' down the beach at a speed of more than one mile per hour and cause a rush of current for hours that gradually decreases.

But it's difficult to predict what the influence of the tide will be on a given day.
The last week of September we will have an outgoing tide most of the day.
Many times this can cause the days to be 'slow' after a decent to good early morning run of spanish and maybe some kings.
Can't say for sure (due to affects of wind and water clarity), but that is the tendency for that tide and time of year.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for the response, Pier#r. I had the pleasure of chatting with you at the beginning of the month at the Little Lagoon parking lot. Thank you for directing me to this site. Would I have more consistent luck at Little Lagoon or Perdido Passes during my visit?

Either can be good or fickle.
If one doesn't produce then try the other (or the pier).

Glad to see you found the site useful! :headbang: