Pressing Pause

MAKING THE MOST OF THE TIDE'S RUNNING-SLACK PERIODS WILL UP YOUR GAME.

- JERRY AUDET

Sharp anglers know there are limited periods each day when the largest shares of fish are caught. Finding these productive time slots-commonly referred to as windows-takes dedication. It's not always easy, but it's worth the investment because they can be real game-changers, increasing the total number and size of the fish you catch.

One of my most effective windows is what I call "running slack." Running slack is the short time around the tide switch when tidal water moves in opposition to local current created by depth and structure. To visualize this, picture a spot where current is moving left to right on a dropping tide. When the tide bottoms out, switches and begins to rise, many anglers assume the current will also switch immediately and move in the opposite direction right to left in this case. But in most spots, that change in current direction will lag and continue to move in the same direction it did prior to the tide switch for a short period-in this case, left to right. This interval of tide against current-running slack-is a vulnerable time for bait, which draws in predators. It can be the most productive period of the entire day or night.

MAKING MOVES DURING THE TIDE SWITCH