If you want to have the best possible spearfishing session, then you should plan your spearfishing to take place during a high slack tide. Also called the flood current, the high slack tide is a great time for spearfishing for several reasons.
Yet there are also other factors that can make even a high slack tide problematic. The most prominent is wind speed. If you decide to spearfish in an unsheltered area, then you’re going to be a victim of the wind. Wind current determines how strong the current of the waves is.
In an unsheltered area, the wind can kick up sand and other debris. This makes visibility extremely difficult. The fish may be around, but you definitely won’t see them.
Perhaps more dangerously, the wind can suck you out further into the sea. This is especially true if you find yourself in a riptide.
Even spearfishing in a sheltered area, such as a reef, can be problematic with strong winds. It can drag your body against the reefs and cause you to have a few scratches. It can also mess with the accuracy of your spearing.
High slack tide is your best chance at having low wind speeds. Although this doesn’t mean it’s immune to sudden changes in wind speed and direction. Before you attempt any spearfishing, you should always double and triple check the forecast to determine if it’s a good day to spearfish.
Why Is It Best To Dive And Spearfish At Slack High Tide?
A high slack tide is the best time to spearfish for several reasons. The first is that it offers great visibility. When tides are either at the very bottom or at the top, then the water is mostly undisturbed. You’re able to see quite clearly and can easily spot your target fish.
This moment of little water movement is called slack water.
The top of the tide is when water is moving into an area. You can dive deep whilst still remaining close to the shore if you prefer to spearfish through offshore diving. Because there’s so much volume, you can also spearfish for a long time.
Tides are relative to where you are spearfishing. You can find out when the high slack tide typically starts by speaking to the locals. They’ll be able to give you an accurate answer rather than relying on online forums.
Another reason you should spearfish during high slack tide is that this is when the current is at its weakest. In between high and low slack tides, the current kicks up. This is helpful in that you don’t have to worry about being pushed around by the current. Those who are offshore diving can rest easy knowing they won’t be sucked out to sea.
It also means your spearing will be just that much more accurate.
If you want to have the longest dive possible under the greatest conditions, then you should plan your dive to start around two hours before the top of the tide begins.
How Long Does The Ideal Tide For Spearfishing Last?
A high slack tide’s duration is relative to the actual location. Some areas may have a quick high tide while others may have a little bit longer. However, generally speaking, you can typically count on having over an hour’s worth of great spearfishing if you dive right when the high slack tide begins.
Those who want to have a bit more time spearfishing should consider beginning their dive a little earlier. If the conditions allow it, then you should start your dive two hours before the high slack tide starts to give yourself a solid 3-4 hours of spearfishing.
However, there are a few factors that can diminish your spearfishing time. One is the presence of boats. If you plan on spearfishing in the deep ocean, then you need to be sure you have someone on the boat ready to alert other boaters to your presence. Boats tend to injure spearfishers far more often than they do sharks.
You can help reduce your chances of being run over by wearing a flag that’s attached to a line on your body. Although you’re still relying on the boater to know what the flag means. To keep yourself safe, you should have someone on the boat ready to head off other boats to keep you safe.
During times of heavy traffic, you may find that spearfishing is impossible. The boats are too frequent and scaring the fish away.
A sudden storm can also disrupt your spearfishing time. If the weather suddenly changes, the wind may pick up and cause the current to become stronger. This can make spearfishing a bit more dangerous and decrease your visibility.
How Do You Tell If The Tide Is Coming In Or Out?
If you want to make sure that you have the best possible spearfishing venture, then you need to be able to tell if the tide is coming in or out. One of the easiest ways to do this is to read a local tide table. Tide tables offer predictions on when meteorologists will believe that the tide will come in and out.
In particular, you’ll want to look at the times when the water level is going from a low number to a high number. This indicates that the tide is coming in. You’ll want to get your tide table from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They’ve been predicting high tides and low tides for close to two centuries.
There are also visual cues you can use to determine which way the tide is flowing when you arrive at your location. The first is to look at the ripples of the water. Tides that are coming in have light ripples that push delicately towards the shore.
You’ll also want to look for seaweed. A tide that’s coming in will push seaweed and other debris towards the shore. There’s less seaweed when the tide is pulling out.