Timing and tactics are going to vary. Tidewater fishing and learning their habits is a very fine art ... we do a lot of it in Alaska in the summer (more so for salmon, but steelhead generally follow the same patterns).

You will find that fish movements (and success) will vary on a number of factors ... including water temps, tide heights, offshore wave heights, etc.

Sensory overload?? Basic rule of thumb .. be in the tidal zone 1 hour before to 2 hours after high (and in some cases low) slack. Good luck!