You’re all set to head out on an amazing adventure while charter fishing in Hawaii—you’ve got all your equipment, you’ve done your research and you’re raring to go! But when exactly should you book your excursion? At what time of day can you expect to get the best results out on the water?
Here’s some information you should consider as you determine which time of day you’ll want to book your charter fishing trip in Hawaii.
Choosing the right time for saltwater fishing
One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing the time at which you’ll go out to fish is the cycle of the tides. Saltwater tides will fluctuate to some extent on a daily basis, and are important in determining not just when you should go out on the water, but where the best areas to fish will be.
If there’s a slack tide, that means the tide is not coming in or going out and the water is not moving much. This is not a great time to fish—tidal movement encourages more fish activity. The more water movement, the more likely it is that baitfish and crustaceans will be moving and active, which means the predatory fish hunting them will also be out and trying to catch them. In fact, some of the best times to fish are during strong incoming tides. During those periods, the current will naturally bring crustaceans, baitfish and other prey toward the mainland.
Your charter fishing guide will be able to tell you more about some of the differences associated with fishing at high versus low tide, as well as when the best fishing tide times will be.
In relation to the tide cycles, you should also keep an eye on the lunar phases. These phases of the moon can affect when to fish in saltwater areas, because they’ll shine the light on the water in different ways. A full moon can result in more light on the water at night, which might encourage more feeding patterns because it’ll be easier for the fish to see. In addition, during a full moon, the saltwater tides are going to be even stronger because of the additional gravity. As we already noted, the stronger the current, the more active the baitfish and other prey will become, encouraging activity from the larger fish you seek.
You should also consider weather patterns in your area. A good time to go saltwater fishing is when the barometric pressure drops and there’s a bit of cloud cover. After the front passes, the fish will take some time to rest and readjust to conditions before starting to be active again.
Finally, consider seasons and migration patterns. Not all fish hang around the same waters all year long. If you’re after a specific fish, make sure you do your research into when they’re most likely to be present.
For more information about charter fishing in Hawaii, please reach out to the team at Sea Wife Charters today.