Our tropical region has hugely varying tides . From highs of over three metres and lows of approximately 0.2m around our spring full moons, the resultant tidal surge can even make anchoring a difficult exercise. While the neaps around the first and last quarter of the moon can see only three inches of water movement. Understanding this water flow and its effect on bait and target fish is the key to understanding the fishing potential of this system. And then you have the vagaries of the wet season where up to a metre of rain can fall in a few days flushing bait and fish out to sea.
Local knowledge is paramount.
One of the golden rules of estuary fishing is to fish the deep water on slow moving tides, fish shallow water on fast moving tides. Secondly, follow the tides up and down the system. If you commence fishing with only one hour left of the run out tide it is probably not too wise to motor 5kms up to the top of the main harbour. Wiser to fish the region near the entrance of the harbour and target that first run in as well. Both prime fishing times.