strong tides are just fine for eeling i have caught them real good while drifting as fast as 2.3 knots (boat speed not current speed). the major downfall of eeling is wind against tide where the fish are it will bring the best captains down to their knees!! you have to move to get em from a boat either 1.2 to a 1.8 knot drift is a great drift anything higher or lower it could get tough...BOB