One of the things most perplexing to inshore fishermen is the prediction of tides. Seems simple enough, right?

The tide in the ocean moves at such a steady rate it may be predicted with accuracy years in advance. The inshore waters are a different matter entirely.

The tidal rivers, creeks and estuaries seem to operate by a different set of rules. All of us fishermen know that a tide runs for approximately six hours and 20 minutes in one direction before taking a few minutes down time and reversing itself. The further you get from the inlet, the slower the tide.

Near my house in Ormond By The Sea, the river tide is just about opposite of that given for the Atlantic tidal charts. That is to say, if the NOAA Government predictions are for a high tide on the beach at 9 a.m., the tide in my portion of the river should be low at the same time. Well, sort of. Predicting the inshore tide is a crapshoot.

Some time back I bought one of those nifty tide clocks that can be ordered from salt-water outfitter catalogs. To the best of my ability, I set it to the river tide. Within days, I was adjusting it, then re-adjusting it. It was not my fault or the machine's fault. It was the unpredictable nature of the inshore tide.

Many years ago while doing some night shrimp fishing at the old pump house in Bulow Creek State Park, I discovered the tide was changing about every two and a half hours. How could that be? Where did the water go if it was against the flow from the inlet? Strange happenings, indeed!

Also, I have never discovered exactly where the tide breaks to head either to Mantanzas Inlet or to Ponce. I know it is someplace north of High Bridge, but where? Is it the same place each day? How many of us have checked the tide chart in the daily paper and done the math: Add four hours for this bridge, five hours for that bridge, only to get on the water and discover that it is, in actuality, nothing like that.

If someone in school wants a good project, why not try and devise a good inshore tidal chart? That should keep you busy for a while.

One thing that would help the overall situation would be a new inlet near High Bridge. I am well aware that is not a new concept, but it makes sense. Not only would it improve the water quality and, in the process, the fishing, but it would create a great recreational area out of that unused state land north and south of the bridge.

On Florida's over-built east coast, there is but one inlet in a rural setting. Sebastian Inlet is a state treasure for those reasons and is a huge tourist draw. We have the perfect place to duplicate that success. Miles of public land are there and so is the need. Wouldn't it be nice to have a deep-water pass to the ocean on the northern boundary of Volusia County? Wouldn't it be nice if the state spent some money on something the people could actually use?

Dan Smith has fished the waters of Volusia County for 40 years. When he's not fishing, the retired contractor is heavily involved with the Ormond Beach Historical Trust. For questions or comments send an e-mail to apes123@mybluelight.com.