tide vs time

[bull1134]

okay, so here is my question. I've only been fishing down here since last fall, and still have never quite figured out this tide thing. I have always believed that right at daylight was the "magic hour" of fishing, and in freshwater it has always paid off. down here, it seems that it's whenever the tide is moving. My question is, if the large tide movement is from noon till 5, does that still make it the best time? I have never had good luck during the day, and only fair in the afternoons. also, all the tide charts I look at show (at least to me) that most days there is a small tide flow, and a larger one on the same day. is one better than the other? might be second nature to most of you, but if anyone can give me a little info and help out my game, I'd appreciate it!