TAILWATERS AND TIDEWATERS BEAT SUMMER BLAHS: PART TWO TIDEWATER

More than 50 percent of all Americans live within 100 miles of a coast. That's lucky, save for hurricanes, storms and tidal waves, because tidewaters offer the most accessible saltwater fishing in America.

You don't need boats, although they are nice. You don't need surf tackle, although it works in spots. You don't need special tackle, your usual freshwater tackle and lures work just fine and tidewater baits are easy to buy or even glean from your fishing area.

Tidewater's defined as waters influnced by tides. Some are more salty than the ocean in, for example,shallow bays along the Texas Coast. Some are almost fresh as big winter flows push the saltwater off shore. All save the most polluted are incredibly productive and the natal areas a many saltwater panfish and gamefish.

Tidewater habitat varies wildly. You can fish piers in Puget Sound or San Francisco Bay, wade the flats of Cape May or Florida's back bays where tarpon and snook lurk, or you can cast from rocky New England shores to get striped bass, bluefish and an assortment of bottom and flatfish.

The species really doesn't matter much. Saltwater carp AKA bonefish are popular with catch and release folks, but bonefish are really only fun to catch in the shallows. Take one on bait deep off a Hawaii dock and it won't fight. Smaller species, like shad, herring, jack and topsmelt, various perch and assorted flatfish usually come in schools to improve the action and the eating.

Tidewater techniques need not be fancy. Simply spinning or fly gear does the job. So does a bass rod. Your usual freshwater line not much over ten or twelve pound test is all that's needed. Lures and flies need only be sided to your target species mouth size. Do note that if there are schools of bait present you need to match the hue -- silver or gold -- and the length to do well. An inch off on length and you lose 50% of the action.

Timing is, as always critical. The best action in tidewater is almost always on days of maximum difference between high and low water. It's usually the last or first hour of either the outgoing or incoming tide. Water movement moves bait that collects gamefish.

Water clarity can key results too. As a rule clear water is the best bet for, among other things fish can see your bait or lure, and you can see fish at a longer distance. Rips where currents conflict and in particular, where clear an murky water meet can be wonderful as some species will lurk in the murk and dash out to gobble bait.

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