Safe tide change?

Is there a threshold of when the tide changes in which the current is too much for you? (For example 6ft high tide -> -1 feet low tide) I want to go to Richardson Bay for herring on 1/29 but the tidal change brings hesitation as I’m not as well informed. Would love some insight on your thoughts!

That is a big tide change but it depends on where things are flowing. Richardson Bay would probably have some decent current with that change, but not as bad as say Raccoon Straits or the Gate.  There are also tide current charts out there. I think BASK has a trip planner that shows some. Navionics shows currents at certain buoys.
Even a 1.5 mph current can get tiring to paddle against. 3mph would be a no-go for me if I had to paddle against it.

Thanks Joe, this is super handy. From what I see, it has a max ebb of -2.33 knots by 2:45 PM and I plan to be out well before that!

Here is a good resource on sf bay currents: https://l-36.com/sf_current_new2.php?menu=9

Those currents can get pretty gnarly. 2.3 kts would be a pain to paddle/pedal against - slow going for sure. If you give it a go, be safe and try to get out well before the max ebb begins. Good luck, and let us know how you do!

Working against the current is a useful consideration, but the more prudent course of action is to plan your trips so that you will not have to do so.  To ask what the safe tide change is for a human powered craft is problematic, because when something goes wrong, you may well be in a life threatening situation based on your plan of working against the current.

That said, I have certainly executed trips where myself and/or my guests have worked against current, but it's the exception to the rule, and it always comes with contingency planning.

I see this issue as relating pretty closely to operating kayaks with motors.  The plan is that the motor will get you back from wherever you have it get you to, but the reality can be that the motor will fail and there will be no way for you to get back other than through the use of emergency assistance - it's the same with planning your trip to work against current.  Bad idea, in my book.

Okay yall. I’m convinced, I’ll check the weather for Saturday. Thanks for everyone’s input, safety first!