Question on tidal currents

[Angry Perch]

So this saltwater thing is all new to me. One of my questions is, how much difference is there in tidal currents at different depths?
Does A flow substantially faster than B and C?

[Stein]

For sure.  It depends on a bunch of factors how much but as a general rule the current on the bottom will be less.  How much depends on the amount of current, depth and stuff like bottom structure and where you are on the salt.  Puget Sound tidal movement is incredibly complex and rules of thumb often don't apply.

Wind can effect current at the surface as well as obviously pushing your boat.

[Special T]

 

Get a good blow against just overflow for the most simple example.

The applications of what your asking about are likely most applicable for shrimping...

[Come Get Some]

Look up the rule of 12's. The tide moves over an extended period of time. Usually about 5-1/2 hours per tide swing. The rule of 12:s will explain how much water moves and when. Remember some days you may have a 5' exchange other days it may be a 9' change.

[Encore 280]

Don't get "tide" confused with "current". Tide is vertical movement and current is horizontal movement. 

[trophyhunt]

I'm getting seasick just thinking about this subject!!   

[Skyvalhunter]

Is the tide going in or going out now?

[Special T]

It's currently going down on skint bay, an the water is gonna get real skinny about 430

[Encore 280]

It's called "flood" for the incoming and "ebb" for the outgoing and then there's the "holdover". 
And then there's "max flood" and "max ebb".  Oh and don't forgot "slack". 

[Special T]

It's called "flood" for the incoming and "ebb" for the outgoing and then there's the "holdover". 
And then there's "max flood" and "max ebb".  Oh and don't forgot "slack". 

Don't get nautical on us with the port starboard bow stern and what not!

 

[Encore 280]

Nah, don't wanna jack the thread. 

[fishngamereaper]

A ton of factors...
Often along a shelf or bench C will actually be stronger. Water movement controlled by structure and topography builds momentum.  Where as surface water flows at a pretty consistent pace.

That's why people loose pots on deep drops for shrimp and deep water halibut fishing can be tricky.

[h2ofowlr]

Incoming tide also typically doesn't run as hard as an outgoing tide as well.

[Angry Perch]

Thanks all. Lots to learn? I was basically wondering if, assuming no wind, I'm drifting with a 3MPH current, and I drop a 3 way rig with a spinner in 100' of water, will it be spinning, or hanging vertical (ish).

[Pinetar]

Follow the science, it is all about the SCIENCE

[CP]

Pretty simple,  It's all explained here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navier%E2%80%93Stokes_equations

and don't forget Bernoulli's principle.

[Stein]

Thanks all. Lots to learn? I was basically wondering if, assuming no wind, I'm drifting with a 3MPH current, and I drop a 3 way rig with a spinner in 100' of water, will it be spinning, or hanging vertical (ish).

Pretty much hanging vertical.

[Tinmaniac]

Definitely spinning.Thats why we backtroll to stay vertical while jigging or mooching in current.

[Angry Perch]

Definitely spinning.Thats why we backtroll to stay vertical while jigging or mooching in current.

So do you backtroll against the current to slow down your drift?

[Stein]

I might rethink my answer, 3 mph is quite a bit of current.  I usually only back troll on rivers or when you have wind.  It also depends on how deep you are fishing.  If you are jigging salmon 50' down in 700' of water I would say you are pretty much fishing under the boat and no spin on a spinner.  If you are fishing halibut on the bottom, you will need to back troll as the current on the bottom is very minimal compared with the top where your boat is.

You can usually tell by line angle either in the rod or downrigger if you are using one.  If it's straight down or nearly so, there isn't much water movement over the lure.

Easy answer, buy one of these, only $750 to answer the question:

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/fish-hawk-x4-trolling-probe-system?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop%7CGeneric%7CAllProducts%7CHigh%7CSSCCatchAll&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4L2BBhCvARIsAO0SBdbt1sYD7M7GlBaKAMo9a0deFK9QB8hqjTJZMROf1dT7USokGAlAXy4aApH9EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Tinmaniac]

Definitely spinning.Thats why we backtroll to stay vertical while jigging or mooching in current.

yes otherwise you are telling with the current


So do you backtroll against the current to slow down your drift?