Say the high tide for wed. is 2:13 pm when do the tides generally begin to move, either incoming or outgoing?

I've been trying to figure out the difference between forcasted tide times and actual tidal movement. What I've gathered is the forcasts are very accurate but wind, solar and lunar allignment can affect tidal movement.
You have to scout out an area, by going there frequently and observing the affects of things like velocity and direction of wind.
Also, take into account where the tidal hub is located and how far away it is to the spot you are fishing. For example; if the tidal hub is located in the ship channel and your fishing spot is 2 mile into the marsh, tidal movement at your spot could be an hour or two after the forcasted time.
Its interesting to me to try to pinpoint tidal movement of a particular spot as it relates to the forcasted tides. It makes for more productive fishing. What I try to do is figure the window of when I think the tide will be moving in a particular spot an get there two to three hour early and be prepared to stay there two to three hours later.

When we fish around Aransas Pass and Hog Island we ussually plan on an hour before the forcasted time. The way I personally gather it is the time that is predicted is when the tide will be at it's Highest or Lowest point. The water level will be either rising or falling (As Peter said) Prior to and a short while after the actual predicted times. Hope that helps, and I aint no pro but that's the way I use the Predicted Tide times to my advantage when I hit the Salt.


Rob

OH Forgot to mention the actual severity of the Tidal Movement will also have an effect on how soon and how long after and before the predicted times they will flow. In other words if the variance between Hi Tide and Lo Tide is minimal. Then the ammount of time before and after the Predicted Time of actual movement will probably be a short window. IF the variance is drastic then the window should be much larger ammount of time.


Rob

Go to NOAA tides and currents. This site gives you a chart to look at. Mexicajun is right, the more drastic the tide the longer it takes for the tide to change directions. Momentum and inertia factor into the equation when there is a drasitcaly high or low tide. If the NOAA chart shows a big rise or fall in the tide, change in direction of water movement will be delayed proportionately.

And then there is wind and wind direction.

I like to go to this website for tide predictions...

http://www.texasgulfcoastfishing.com/tidesandsurf.html

+1 ........... Deffinately has an impact on the severity of the change.

Thanks fmeyers! I like this site better than NOAA.