A common reason for a modest catch is that novice anglers fish when it's convenient for them rather than when it's convenient for fish. Hard core anglers, however, owe their success to a 'whatever's necessary' mentality to be fishing when the bite is hot—whether that be during gentleman's hours or at 2am on a bitter winter's morning. Their estimations of these peak feeding times are dictated by the tide.

Tide charts are freely available at tackle stores and on the Internet. A tide chart should be the first thing you organise for any fishing trip—because if you're not fishing at the right time, no matter how effective the rest of your methods are, you're limiting your chances.

Fishing 90 minutes either side of a tide change is a good rule of thumb. Focussing on this time window will also help you recognise fishing opportunities. For example, if you're fishing an estuary during the last of the run out (approaching low tide), then focus your efforts around the mouth of the river and tributary junctions—anywhere the water is forced to move through a restricted area. The tidal movement will create natural ambush points for predatory fish around these areas and that's where you should be fishing.

If you're fishing the last of the run in (approaching high tide), then focus on those areas where the high water allows predators access to food rich areas inaccessible at any other time during the tidal cycle, such as sand flats that house a lot of yabbies, or shallow mangroves and rock bars. Fish won't waste such an opportunity, and nor should anglers.

Tide times don't always fit in with life's commitments, but four tide changes each day give you options. Pick one that fits your schedule, have a think about what opportunities it affords your target species and then you'll know where to cast.