What types of tides exist and why do they occur?

The types of tide that exist can be classified based mainly on two aspects: its height and the phase of the Moon.

• High tide. This is the high tide, which occurs at the moment when the sea water reaches its highest point in the cycle. This occurs when the area of ​​the land in question is facing the Moon, with the satellite exerting a gravitational force that causes the water to “separate” as much as possible from the center of the planet, resulting in a higher level; It is not that there is more water, it is that it moves upwards due to the lunar gravitational effect.
• Low tide. On the other hand, we have low tide, which is nothing more than the moment when it is at the lowest height with respect to the center of the earth. It will always occur at the opposite point where the high tide is, so that on one side the water “stretches”, on the other it “shrinks”.

Regarding this classification, it is necessary to indicate that we will see , on each lunar day (24 h, 50m, 28s), two high tides and two low tides , corresponding to the effects that the Moon exerts on water.

• Syzygy. The spring tide occurs when the Moon is full and also when we do not see it. This is because our satellite and our star align, adding the effects they have on the planet and, therefore, on our waters.
• of quadrature . Neap tide occurs in the quarter phases (waxing and rising). In these cases the effects of both celestial bodies are subtracted, resulting in tides with a low coefficient and little amplitude.

Which is better for fishing, high tide or low tide?

Although there are as many opinions as there are fishermen, the truth is that, at a plot level, high tide is more suitable for fishing , since the fish, in general, come out to feed more at a combinatorial moment of rising or setting of the satellite and when this is new or full. It also stands to reason that the further we get from the surface during these times, the more successful we will be. Near land you will also find many specimens, as they come to eat.

If you want to fish on the coast or, in fact, catch from the shore , you can perfectly do it when there is low Tide, because we will lose depth and the animals will be more exposed and disoriented. We recommend you try hole fishing.

How does the Moon affect the tides? Does it affect fishing?

We have already seen that both in relation to the height of the Tides and their vividness the Moon is entirely responsible due to its gravitational influence .

When the Sun comes into play, in addition to considering the centimeters that the water rises or falls , another factor is also modified: the movement of the waters.

The spring tide, given, as we have explained, by the alignment of the Sun and the Moon , drags, through the waves, the fish that has come to eat on the shore, being the ideal time to practice surfcasting . Add the moments of sunset and sunrise and the successful results will multiply.

It must be considered, however, that the greater the movement in the water, the greater the need for more robust and resistant equipment , in addition to more stressed parts.

Special mention deserves the phenomenon known as high tide stagnation , which are the minutes after the tide ceases to be considered rising and becomes falling. Here we find fish near a shoreline that quickly empties, leaving them exposed.

Of course, all of the above is somewhat theoretical. These situations occur, of course, but many other factors also come into play that make, for example, a moment that seems idyllic for fishing turn into a fiasco or that another moment in which we had no hope turns out to be a complete surprise in terms of to catches.

Water temperature, amount of food, waves, foreign elements in the water (boats and people), dirt, atmospheric pressure and many other aspects will condition the day, so it is best to always cast your rod and enjoy the activity in any moment.