The Tide and the Ocean

[Detour66]

I had a conversation with a Capt about the Tide and the Ocean. This Capt claimed there is only current in the ocean and no tide and the tide only affects the bays. I find this hard to believe but who knows? What is your opinion or facts on this!

[Chrisper4694]

Maybe he means the tide changes don't effect the fishing out in the ocean? There are def tides on the ocean side if the beaches. The water comes up and down on the tide up the beaches ocean side just like in the bay. Out away from the shore idk?

[dfish28]

Think about this one and consider gravity and a level or transit if you must.... Looking onshore from the ocean the jetty is exposed 6 or 8 feet, low tide...where is the mysterious hump that levels out in the deep? Nowhere... When your at anchor all day on one spot, why does the depth change?= gravity. When there is more gravity at your spot, there is more "tide"- high tide, because the water is pulled to the spot of the highest force of gravity... I never would want to talk with this captain...

[Gerry Zagorski]

No question there are tides in the ocean. All you need to do is spend some time on the beach, by a jetty or inlet and you can see the water levels rise and fall.

I think what the captain might be saying is that the tides don't effect the fishing as much in the open ocean as they do in rivers, bays and inlets. In these areas the tides dictate the water movement and direction because of all the water running in and out through more restricted areas.

In the open ocean the currents have more to do with the direction the water is moving then the tide.

[Garone Custom Rods]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

No question there are tides in the ocean. All you need to do is spend some time on the beach, by a jetty or inlet and you can see the water levels rise and fall.

I think what the captain might be saying is that the tides don't effect the fishing as much in the open ocean as they do in rivers, bays and inlets. In these areas the tides dictate the water movement and direction because of all the water running in and out through more restricted areas.

In the open ocean the currents have more to do with the direction the water is moving then the tide.

Great explanation Gerry. There are tides out in the ocean, currents are not as effected by tide in areas where there is little restricting the waters flow.

[Joey Dah Fish]

I too agree. Yes the water rises and falls in the ocean but I believe current is a larger factor than tide. Yet in the bay it's all about the tide.

[Ocean Explorer]

I get that question all the time,,,maybe it was me that said that but what I mean when someone asks is that I have been out in the ocean not near the inlet or sandy hook or anything and the tide might be strong all day on both changes out of the south or Northeast or what ever,,,,Definately tides in the ocean,,obviously the rise and fall everyday but I have seen alot where the tide is one direction for days,,,,no change or anything ...So tides yes but sometimes I think guys mean maybe a change in the direction of current might get the fish to start biting a little better...I know that some Captains that fish more up by 17 or that area,,including myself have seen a tide change affect the fishing alot up there closer to Sandy Hook and Ambrose area...Just offshore and south more I do not notice it as much..Then we could get into conversation about a strong current one way on top and another on the bottom which I have seen alot,,,just spearfishing I have seen many days with a ripping current and brown water on top and crystal clear cool water on the bottom...and vice versa..great topic though!!

[Bass_Appeal]

If ur fishing in the ocean, lets say by monsters ledge , and ur in 350 ft of water anchored up , when the tide goes in and out from the shore line will that 350ft depth rise or lower with the tide , if not i think thats what he might be saying .

Im thinking he means ocean, ocean , not a mile from shore ...

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Bass_Appeal

If ur fishing in the ocean, lets say by monsters ledge , and ur in 350 ft of water anchored up , when the tide goes in and out from the shore line will that 350ft depth rise or lower with the tide...

Yes the ocean rises and falls even out there, the same as it does inshore. In our area the tides vary from north to south, not east to west. The tides are more extreme the further north you go and lesser the further south you go.

[Ryelof]

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