J.P.M... Bob's right about the timing, it can be as narrow of a window as 1 hour when the fish are going to make their move through the estuary, but I know that in the local tidewater I fish, the golden hour is the last hour of the dropping tide, right down to low slack water. when the water stops moving outbound, pack it up and head home, the major outgoing tides have produced more fish, but as long as there is some flow, the minor low tide will also pull fish into the system.
I fish from the bank, and drift gear with sandshrimp seems to work the best for me.
I understand each river system is different, just sharing with you what I have learned from a local tidewater spot. you won't find any hotter fish than tidewater Steelies!

Fuzzy

Silent Approach Jigs