Everyone has his or her own thoughts and opinions but I too fish with an old timer. He's been fishin' PS for 35+ years so I use a lot of what he say's as a guide and he won't even go out on an 8+ swing. I have tried just about everything tidal change and looking over my log book I have always done best on the more gradual tidal swings. But like other's have said it can depend on the location you are fishing. I work the Saratoga Passage a lot and it really gets movin through there so I prefer slower moving tides. On the other hand when the tide is rippin' if you find a good pocket of fish they are pretty concentrated just stay on top of them. And Blackmouth DO hunker down when it's rippin. They are laying in wait for an easy meal. That's why they hang around the drop off's and places they can hide. They are waiting for an injured baitfish or just fish that are tossed around and can't handle the swift moving water to come their direction. The bigger the fish usually the lazier they are. They don't want to chase around some little morsel. They are going to go for the wounded and injured fish, something they can get easy without expending a lot of energy. Why do you think you cut plug or mooch for that matter?
Just get out there and start you own ways to catch these fish. As you can see by this board many of us have completely different theories and different thought on fishing BUT....we are all still catching them. Luck is sometimes the best bait on the boat... The golden rule no matter what technique you use.... Clean your hands and your gear if you want bigger fish.

In my experiences of fishing PS for 20+ years now I think having your line in the water increases your odds dramatically on the fish in boat ratio

Get out and fish