Learn when the best times to saltwater fish are. In addition to the tides, weather patterns and time of day, the season or time of year will also affect your ability to catch certain species of saltwater fish. Learn more in this section.

Best Times to Saltwater Fish

Sometimes are better than others. Find out when are the best times to saltwater fish.

You have your tackle box stocked with new lures, a great new saltwater spot picked out, and an open day on your schedule. It just might be time to get out on the boat or over to the pier and wet a line if the fishing conditions are right.

SALTWATER TIDES

Saltwater tides will fluctuate daily and are very important in determining when to fish saltwater areas. Here are a few things to consider:

1. A slack tide means that the tide is neither incoming nor outgoing and that the water is not moving much. Avoid fishing during times of slack tide and focus on time periods where tidal movement will be most pronounced.
2. Plenty of water movement means that baitfish and crustaceans will also be moving and active. When the bait is active, so are the predatory game fish that feed upon them.
3. A strong incoming tide is generally the optimal time to fish since the current will be bringing baitfish, crustaceans and other prey in towards land.
4. The best way to find out when the best fishing tide times will be is by checking a daily tide chart or by asking for a chart at your local tackle shop.

LUNAR PHASES

Lunar phases can affect when to fish saltwater areas in a few different ways. First, a full or new moon sheds more light on the water at night, which can affect the feeding patterns of fish since it’s easier for them to see and feed. Second, during a full or new moon, the saltwater tides are stronger due to the pull of gravity. Stronger currents will mean more active baitfish and other prey making for optimal fishing tide times.

WEATHER PATTERNS AND BAROMETRIC PRESSURE

The arrival of a front that brings either cooler or warmer air temperatures will affect fishing. If you are looking for a time when to fish saltwater areas, a good period is just before a front comes through, when the barometric pressure is dropping, and when there is some cloud cover. After a front passes the skies are normally clear and the fish need time to re-adjust to the change in conditions before they will actively feed again.

TIME OF DAY

Anytime of day is a good time to fish; however, dawn and dusk are generally the best time of day to fish provided that the weather and tidal movements are favorable. Remember to reference a saltwater tide chart to see which range of hours during the day will be the best fishing tide times.

SEASONS AND MIGRATION PATTERNS

Depending on the species, water temperature, mating habits, and feeding habits, many game fish have a season or specific time of year when they are more commonly found in a certain area. As an example, one of the most famed sport fish of Florida, the tarpon, prefers water temperatures of 72 to 82°F. When water temperatures drop below this level or increase above 82°, tarpon will migrate to waters within the species preferred temperature range. Many of the migratory game fish species are pelagic fish which live in the water column of coastal and ocean waters.

Make sure to check the newspaper or your local fishing reports before going fishing so you know how the saltwater tides will be running on the day you plan to fish. A little bit of research can make a big difference in the number of fish you catch.

West Coast States

Wondering when the best times to saltwater fish in west coast states will be? In addition to the tides, weather patterns and time of day, the season or time of year will also affect your ability to catch certain species of saltwater fish. When to fish often depends on what you want to catch.

As an example, if you plan to go saltwater offshore fishing in Southern California during the summer months, you can expect to catch a variety of species such asyellowfin tuna, albacore tuna, big eye tuna, and wahoo. If you decide to go offshore fishing in Southern California during the winter season, you will have better luck catching rockfish and yellowtail.

Always remember to check the fishing regulations for your state so that know the length limits, bag limits, and which species are in season.

SUMMER FISHING IN THE WEST COAST

Summer is one of the best times to saltwater fish in west coast states due to the warming water temperatures, the migration patterns of several offshore sport fish species, and the availability of prey such as squid, anchovies, sardines, or crabs. From Southern California up through Washington State, summer fishing trips give you the opportunity to catch a wide variety of saltwater fish species.

WHERE TO FISH THIS SUMMER

Hoping to catch a silver, king or pink salmon this summer? If the answer is yes, then you will want to plan a trip to Washington because that is where and when to saltwater fish for these three species. However, if an albacore tuna is what you are after, then you might choose to take a summer fishing trip to Oregon or California. Read more about the different species you might catch during the summer in each of the west coast states.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Throughout the early summer months, albacore tuna, bluefin tuna, and dolphinfish begin making an appearance in offshore southern California waters. If you prefer to fish the inshore or nearshore waters, you can target surfperch or corbina using soft-shelled sand crabs on a medium-light rod and reel setup.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Northern California destinations, such as San Francisco Bay or the Pacifica Pier, see an increase in fishing activity during the summer season because of the number of species you can catch -- including salmon, striped bass, and croaker. Keep in mind that the best times to saltwater fish in west coast states can also vary if the area experiences warmer or cooler temperatures than the typical seasonal average.

OREGON

Summer saltwater fishing trips in Oregon can range from bottom fishing for halibut, trolling for albacore tuna in the deep offshore waters, or fly fishing for salmon. Newport, Coos Bay, and Gold Beach are all popular summer fishing hot spots in the state of Oregon.

WASHINGTON

Want to catch salmon, rockfish, or albacore tuna off the coast of Washington? One of the best times to saltwater fish in west coast states, including Washington fishing spots near Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, is during the summer months of June, July, and August.