Hi Folks,Every year I submit to you a list of tides that I see are either very small or very large. I do this to show you folks that there are huge variances in the size and velocity of tides we experience in any given month. In addition to that, at least a couple times in a season we have unusual and extremes of these variances. One can always see these variances by obtaining a tide chart that shows both the times of the high and low tides as well as the height in feet and tenths of both high and low tides. I get my tide charts at Cape Fisherman’s Supply in Chatham.
Last year we experienced for the first time, shoaling on the Chatham outer bar, which restricted the deeper draft vessels from coming and going at any time of day. On the days of an extreme tide, the amount of water under your vessel can be much less than anticipated, so its a good idea to know how to figure the tide, by looking at a tide chart as I mention above. My vessel was only able to transit the bar at one hour before low and two hours after low tide. Generally speaking Striped Bass like a good tide flow (larger with more velocity) and Bluefin tuna prefer less flow or current.
In the following list I will only list tides smaller than 9 feet or larger than 10.5 feet, as these are the extremes. Tides in between these ranges are sometimes larger and sometimes smaller, but for the most part are just average and there is no need to list them all. Lets remember fish feed when they have the opportunity, generally every day, and not just on the tides that have a larger or smaller than average height.
SMALLEST TIDES of 2018
June 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 23, 24, 25, 26
July 5, 6, 7, 8, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,
August 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,
September 2, 3, 4, 5, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,
October 1, 2, 3, 4, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
November. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
LARGEST TIDES of 2018
June 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
July 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
August 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
September 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
October 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Thanks very much, and Good Fishing to you,
Capt. Bruce & “Marilyn S”
