I understand many factors get fish into the biting spirit. But what factor should be first to consider for fish activity (Tides, Atmosphere Pressure, Storm Events, etc.)?

Second question. What mobile apps have ya'll found most useful/accurate to predict Tides and the famous "Solunar Chart"?

Tide movement has always been key for me and I try to fish around the transition times. To be honest, I've never paid too much attention to pressure. In general, low pressure days are better than high, but I wouldn't stay home because I'm worried about pressure. Although, big swings up or down can affect things in my experience. A drop-out in pressure after a gulf storm or something is usually good and a rise in pressure after a northerner passes through in December is sometimes not too good.

Tide movement is the number one factor. Now you can be fishing during tide change and get nothing, but for me it's the best way to tell when fish will be biting

Tidal movement for me. Pressure is a factor but not as much as opportunity. If you can go fishing, go!

There was another thread a while back on this. Someone there mentioned Tides4fishing.com. That's what I've been using most recently.

Tides4fishing.com

If you really want to get a full understanding, I'd recommend getting the TroutSupport videos. For a third of what you'd spend on a guide, you'll get a mountain of information. I have consistently caught more fish, bigger fish, and have far more confidence on the water since I made the purchase. Tidal movement is explained in great detail throughout the series. I think Tobin is an Aggie as well, but, not 100% sure on that one

I'd second the Trout Support DVD. Awesome information packed in it!

Also, be on the lookout for local seminars and such. Captain Jim West used to put on a clinic each year in Crystal Beach that was very informative for Galveston Bay fishermen. I'm not sure if he still offers it or not.

The presence of bait fish and shrimp.

Tide movement. And I use tide4fishing for solunar. It doesn't always correctly predict when they'll be active, but it sure as hell knows when they won't be.

In the fall and winter, the high pressure days following fronts are typically very tough. Conversely, a winter low pressure system, the fishing is usually epic. Either way, there is a time of day when the bite is best, and it is usually at the end or beginning of the tide. My ideal conditions are a barometer of 29.8 or lower, with a moderate incoming tide.

Concur with the above on trout support and tides.

Tides will influence where I go when I can go.

I look at the pressure and solunar for information but go when I can and wouldn't call off a trip based on an "unfavorable" indication.

Storms are more of a safety concern for me and will impact which boat I take, what launch I use, what body of water I fish, etc. If there's a chance of lightning I'm hitting the beach where I can wait it out in my truck, or staying home.

Edit to add:
Here's where I get tide info. It shows predictions and actuals if you choose a station that has a tide gauge. The predictions may tell you when the tides swing but don't give you the full picture because of storm impacts, they may be 2ft high (bull tide or storm surge) or 2ft low (Northern).
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/stations.html?type=Water+Levels#Texas

Lose A Few said:

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The presence of bait fish and shrimp.

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I've gotten much better in the last couple of years paying attention to surface activity and birds. If you are in a spot with no or very little activity, better to move. It seems intuitive, but too often people go back to the places they are comfortable with and don't pay total attention to the potential food source.

Good tip on the birds.

Lots of people key in on gulls for trout in the main bays, but I've had just as much luck finding redfish under terns (liar birds) as I have gulls in the upper coast marshes during fall.

Shore birds like herons and spoonbills that are eating or stalking bait often get overlooked but can be very good indicators as well.

I pretty much fish whenever I can, regardless of the tide and solunar schedules, weather permitting.

SanAntoneAg said:

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I pretty much fish whenever I can, regardless of the tide and solunar schedules, weather permitting.

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This.

When I lived in Houston, I had shortcuts saved to my home screen for saltwatertides.com, swellinfo.com and the gtown surf webcam.

Have to layer in a weather app that shows lightning strikes since relocating to Florida. Also use US Harbors.com for tides and solunarforecast.com for best fishing times (not convinced on accuracy yet). Added a shortcut to visitbeaches.org to see water clarity at various local spots since there can be a big variance in close locations.

Used to think "time in the water > timing the water," but not anymore. I look for strong tides first, then new and full moons, and clear water. Still learning and still confused about why some trips are awesome and others with identical conditions are total busts.

I'll agree with what's been posted above but add that the reason that tidal movement is important is that it concentrates bait, either along a shoreline, over some feature like a reef or gut or flushes it through a choke point like a marsh drain. The fish are feeding not just bc the water is moving but bc the bait is being concentrated which makes it more favorable for them to feed bc they're not having to expend as much energy to catch it. Think redfish cruising up and down a shoreline on a falling tide picking off shrimp and crabs as they get flushed out of the grass. Another thing to note when checking tides gauges is to be aware of the area you will be fishing in relation to the main passes and gulf channels where most tide gauges are. There can be a significant delay between the tide prediction at a specific tide gauge and the back bay you may be fishing so just be sure to take that into account when you're planning a trip.

Also tides aren't the only factor in all of this. Wind can do the same thing as tide, so even on slack tides you can find bait concentrated in areas and the predators won't be far behind.

elnaco said:

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I'll agree with what's been posted above but add that the reason that tidal movement is important is that it concentrates bait, either along a shoreline, over some feature like a reef or gut or flushes it through a choke point like a marsh drain. The fish are feeding not just bc the water is moving but bc the bait is being concentrated which makes it more favorable for them to feed bc they're not having to expend as much energy to catch it. Think redfish cruising up and down a shoreline on a falling tide picking off shrimp and crabs as they get flushed out of the grass. Another thing to note when checking tides gauges is to be aware of the area you will be fishing in relation to the main passes and gulf channels where most tide gauges are. There can be a significant delay between the tide prediction at a specific tide gauge and the back bay you may be fishing so just be sure to take that into account when you're planning a trip.

Also tides aren't the only factor in all of this. Wind can do the same thing as tide, so even on slack tides you can find bait concentrated in areas and the predators won't be far behind.

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My best fishing experience I've ever had was in the upper Trinity marsh fishing for reds. I located a pod cruising a shoreline and I paddled my kayak parallel to them for about 200 yards down the shoreline. I spotted a small little cut in the shoreline up ahead and quickly out paced them so I could cast my super spook jr in the middle of the pocket. I watched the reds close the last 10 yards before one of them absolutely destroyed my topwater. Nothing else has topped that moment for me.

TommyGun said:

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My best fishing experience I've ever had was in the upper Trinity marsh fishing for reds. I located a pod cruising a shoreline and I paddled my kayak parallel to them for about 200 yards down the shoreline. I spotted a small little cut in the shoreline up ahead and quickly out paced them so I could cast my super spook jr in the middle of the pocket. I watched the reds close the last 10 yards before one of them absolutely destroyed my topwater. Nothing else has topped that moment for me.

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Toss a fly at em next time, that'll really rustle your jimmies...

There are few things in life that'll get my heart going like being greeted by loud popping noises and splashes as I pole into a back lake and see a sight like this

https://instagr.am/p/9EAA_QPnJP

As mentioned before http://www.troutsupport.com/ comes highly recommended. And yes Tobin is an Ag !

You'll learn a lot and Tobin will answer any questions you have.

For me, tide movement will let you key in structures and areas to increase your likelihood of finding bait and thus higher chance areas of catching fish. Have we done well without the presence of bait and vice versa, of course, but in general this is what to key in on.

For bays that dont have a lot of tide movement where everything is wind driven current, structure and bait activity is going to be more important.

I also like to look at water temp and barometer for "predicting" where in the water column the fish will likely try and be and speed and presentation of lures (but all of these can be experimented with once you are there).

Lastly important is the water color and brightness of the day to determine lure color.

I agree with the above responses. I use Tides4fishing, too. Key on active bait, birds, slicks..learn to read the water. Fish structure that concentrates and directs bait in a certain direction due to tidal movement. Make your presentation align with the way the bait is being forced. Predators want a concentrated buffet being pushed past them so they don't have to work as hard. Fish daybreak and sunset. Lower pressure is better than high. Southeast winds are better for water clarity, making your baits easier for a predator to locate. Have a go-to topwater, a spoon and especially a soft plastic that you have confidence in, confidence in your lure really does make a difference.

I use EZFSHN for solunar and tides and Wunderground for air temp, barometer, etc.

I picked up an 8 weight fly rod to use for chasing reds a few years ago, but I got transferred to WY before I really had a chance to use it much. One of the first things on my list is hitting the flats with it once I'm back on the coast.

Wind!! You need wind. Wind creates water movement. Pushes the bait against the banks. Sometimes the leeward side is best after extended windy periods

Strong north wind drives the water out. Makes lower than normal tides. Easy pickings. Tide is good but if I had to pick I'll take zero tide and a good wind every day. No wind I'd stay home. Those slick calm days are terrible ( yes. There have been exceptions. Lol).

1) Tide movement
2) Wind direction and speed.
3) Water temperature (mainly for specks - but sometimes reds)