Example of the ebbing tide.
So, one of the places we used to fish, you could wade out quite a way because of an old concrete groin that went out to sea. This is a very popular venue, but the majority of people who usually fish it (normally the weekends, if the conditions are good) would start arriving two hours before the low. I can tell you that the fish never seem to be active at that time. I would say it was rubbish.
The trick would be to get closer to three and a half hours before the low on the bigger tides. For some reason, you could get out to much shallower ground but much further out along the groin. The only risk was getting on the groin. It wasn’t for the faint-hearted, believe you me. Nowadays, the weather and powerful seas have unfortunately taken their toll on that groin — it’s a bit battered up now and definitely not worth the walk of doom.
The thing is, the tide used to rip through at the end of this groin (when it was intact), and the bass would congregate around the end. Savage Gear Sandeels would always be a great lure at the end of the groin. You could still catch the odd one on the way out, but nothing like at the end. But again, the conditions had to be right.
FAQ – Understanding the Ebbing Tide
What is the ebbing tide?
The ebbing tide is the stage when the sea is going out.
from high tide down to low tide. It’s sometimes called the falling tide. During this time, the water level gradually drops, exposing more of the shoreline, including gullies, rocks, sandbanks, and weed beds. For anglers, this can be a really important time, because it changes where fish hold and how they hunt.
Instead of bass being spread out, they often move with the water, following bait into tighter areas like channels and shallow drains. That makes it easier for us to figure out where they might be waiting.
How long does an ebbing tide last?
On average, an ebbing tide lasts for around six hours. This is part of the full tidal cycle, which is roughly 12 hours and 25 minutes from high tide to the next high tide. So you get about six hours of the tide going out, then six hours of it coming back in.
Of course, this isn’t exact; the strength and speed of the ebb can vary depending on the moon phase, the type of tide (spring or neap), wind direction, and local geography. On big spring tides, the water may rush out much faster, giving you a stronger flow and less time on certain spots. On smaller neap tides, it might be more relaxed and give you a longer window to fish effectively.
Is the ebbing tide good for bass fishing?
Yes, it absolutely can be, though, like everything in bass fishing, it depends on the venue and the conditions. Many anglers, myself included, have found the ebbing tide to be a trigger point, especially in areas where the water drains through gullies or over shallow ground.
When the tide starts to fall, baitfish often get drawn out or even trapped. Bass knows this. They’ll use the terrain to their advantage, sitting just off a ledge, behind a rock, or at the mouth of a gully to ambush prey.
If you know your ground well, you can fish the ebb by positioning yourself where the water naturally channels or tightens. I’ve seen sessions where the first half of the ebb is dead quiet, and then bang — within a 30-minute window, the bass just turn up and go mad.
So yes, the ebbing tide can be brilliant. But you need to understand the mark and be there when the fish switch on.
What kind of lures work best on the ebb?
During the ebb, your lure choice should match the ground, depth, and flow. For example:
- Soft plastics like the Savage Gear Sandeel, OSP DoLive Stick, or Albie Snax are fantastic for working shallow, broken ground. Fish them weightless or weedless to let them glide with the current and avoid snags.
- Metal lures or small jigs can be effective in deeper gullies where the flow is stronger — something like a 20g metal can cut through the current and reach feeding fish quickly.
- Surface lures can still work early on the ebb if there’s enough depth and the fish are chasing bait near the surface. Keep an eye out for any movement or swirls.
On the ebb, I tend to fish slower and more controlled. Let the lure do the work with the flow. Sometimes just a gentle twitch or pause is enough to get a hit.
Can I get cut off while fishing the ebb?
Yes — and this is something you really need to be aware of. It’s easy to focus so much on fishing that you forget about the retreating water. Some venues, especially rocky ledges or tidal islands, can strand you faster than you think.
It’s also easy to misjudge how far you’ve walked out when the tide is low and the ground is exposed. Getting back across slippery rocks or flooding gullies isn’t worth the risk.
Always do the following:
- Check tide times before you go and understand when low water is due.
- Give yourself an exit route and stick to it.
- Avoid unfamiliar ground on a falling tide unless you’ve studied it at low tide before.
Do bass feed more aggressively on the ebb?
They certainly can. As the water drops, food sources get pushed out or become more vulnerable — prawns, sandeels, crabs, and baitfish are all on the move. Bass will often cruise just behind the moving waterline, waiting for something to get flushed out.
In gullies and around structures, bass sometimes sit motionless, just waiting for the tide to bring dinner to them. I’ve had sessions where they seemed completely switched off, then the water started to pull, and boom, the action kicked off.
But again, it’s not automatic. The key is to observe the water, learn the behaviour at your mark, and work out what kind of ebb works best – neap, spring, fast, slow. Every location has its own personality.
Is it better to fish early or late in the ebb?
It depends. On some marks, the first hour or two of the ebb can be great, especially if fish have been sitting tight during high tide and are now moving out with the bait.
Other marks don’t come alive until the tide is almost out. That final hour before low water can concentrate fish into tiny areas, especially near the mouths of drains and run-offs.
Your best bet? Fish the whole middle section of the ebb if you can — from about 90 minutes after high tide right down to 30 minutes before low. Then build a mental map of where and when fish turn up at each venue.
How can I make the most of an ebbing tide?
Here are a few tips that have helped me:
- Scout your marks at low tide to understand the structure and flow.
- Watch the bird and bait activity – if gulls are working or bait is flicking, fish won’t be far behind.
- Use the tide to your advantage – don’t fight it. Present your lure naturally in the flow.
- Fish slowly and stay alert – sometimes that subtle take is easily missed.
Final Thoughts – Let the Tide Teach You
The ebbing tide is more than just water going out. It’s an opportunity. It exposes the secrets of the ground and can switch fish on like a lightbulb. But it’s also a time to be cautious, smart, and observant.
For me, the ebb has taught me more about reading the sea than any article or YouTube video ever could. It’s real-time info – the way the water pulls, the bait moves, and the fish react. Watch it closely and it’ll tell you everything.
So next time you’re fishing the ebb, don’t just wait for the bass to turn up. Be there early, watch what’s going on, try something new — and most of all, be patient. The tide might just reward you.
Lures I Trust on the Ebb
If you’re heading out on the ebbing tide and wondering what lures to take, here are a few that have consistently worked for me and other anglers I trust:
- 🎣 Savage Gear Sandeel – A proper killer when the tide is pulling through. Fish it in the deeper water, sandbanks, or off the end of a groin. Cast it out, let it drop, and work it back with a slow lift and wind. Try to stay in touch with the lure as soon as it hits the water. Those bass love to take them on the drop
- 🌀 OSP DoLive Stick – Especially deadly when fished weightless. Let it drift naturally with the flow, and you’ll be surprised how lifelike it moves. Perfect for shallower areas where subtlety matters.
- 🐟 Albie Snax – Weedless, durable, and versatile. Works great on shallow reefy ground during the ebb when fish are hunting close in.
These three soft plastics cover a lot of ground. If I had to pick just a few lures for working the ebbing tide, they’d be in the bag every time.
You can find these on most decent lure fishing sites, or check out my recommended lures page here if you fancy seeing what I’m using right now.
