I have been bass fishing for about four years and have noticed that I never pay attention to moon phases. Do they really have that much of an effect on bass, and if so, which moon phase is the best time for fishing? I went on Sat., the day before a full moon, and had a lot of action, but now I don't know if it was due to the moon or not.

you'll hear people swear by the 3 days before and 3 days after a Full/New moon...

the only difference i have had in those 3 days is that the fish didnt bite until 10am and quit biting at 3pm... i fished all day monday from 6am to 9pm without any stopping, ok so maybe once or twice because of all the Mountain Dew

either way, i think its more of a confidence thing than anything. I pay more attention to the weather - barometric pressure, rain, cloud cover, etc... just my  .02

 

 

YES,YES, the moon has alot to do with fishing or hunting.I fish alot at night and found that 3 days before or after the full moon is very good.BUT I do better on the new moon and the cresent moon.Now alot has to do with weather and how clear the water is that you are fishing.

I remember hearing an interesting bit of info on the moon phases once, maybe here? It went something like this...57% of all record book fish were caught during either the new or full moon phase (3 days before, day of, 3 days after).  More interesting is that 46% of the days in a month fall in these "phases".   Interpret that how you want.

Sun rise, sun set, moon rise, and moon set are all major factors of mother nature.   With that being said, so is the current weather, which is also mother nature.

Its a no brainer that dawn and sunset are key feeding times.      Most experienced anglers will agree that mid afternoon is also prime time for the big- dog-to-walk.   Which coinsides with the moon rise or moon set on most lunar charts.

What do all these have in common?    Its the photoperiod, amount of light, the most drastic changes in the photoperiod occur in the fall and spring.  

Why is the photoperiod important to a bass?   The days are getting shorter, and nights are longer, this is sensed by a bass' eyes, it transmits a signal to the pituitary gland which triggers a sexual response, which is reproduction and developement of eggs.   This triggers increases movement and feeding binges from normally less active trophy fish.

I am a firm believer on planning a trip to coinincide with lunar charts.    I also like the summer T-storms that cause low light conditions.  

The summer, the weather is stable in Texas,  High pressure sets in for the summer and feeding times are very predictable.   Throw some clouds in the mix for low light conditions and the dinner bell is steady.   This is why in Tx, the charts aren't as important in the summer, the High pressure that sets in all summer gives us the same pattern for almost 3 straight months until the photoperiod starts changing in the fall and feeding activity increases drastically.

History says, most trophies are caught during the seasonal changes, fall and spring, which share longer nights and less day light which shows best fishing occurs in low light periods/photoperiods.

I also believe the charts are for tidal fishermen dealing with rising inland tidal waters and river influences on coast lines.     Contrary to some beliefs, inland lakes aren't subject to high tide and low tides.

We always say the toughest day on the water are blu-bird days.    Just my .02.

Excellent Matt !

In my 33 years of fishing I haven 't seen absolutely any correlation between the moonphase and the level activity of the fish unless it 's saltwater fishing or systems with tidal influence.

There is mother nature, mother earth, mother sun, and all the rest of the mothers.

We fish at least 320 days a year - I have yet to see any fixed patterns that can be attributed to the location, rise, or set of the moon on enclosed fresh water lakes.

In salt water situations, and rivers connected to salt water the moon does play in the tidal movements, but on a lake it has negligible effect.

If you wonder about light penetration of a full moon's light on a perfectly clear lake in perfectly clear water do some research. You will be quite supprised.

I base none of my fishing on Solunar, Lunar, or any other type of table.

Bluebird sky fish -

Overcast and windy fish -

Full moon, bluebird sky fish -

I could post 100's of these for every weather condition, moon phase, solunar table, and time of day that you can think of. If your bait is in the water you just might get bit - If you are sitting at home watching the tables you have no chance.

George,

You make a compelling case.  

This is were I wish i could produce fishing logs for the last 30 years to find a correlation in the mix with lunar charts.  

Logs are the charts of history or soon will be.  

My Dad believed that big Yellow Cats fed in darkness, so he planned his fishing trips to the river, was always in the dark of the moon.    I can't argue with his success, but bass are different, and the dark of the moon is not my choice.

Rather than opine on the lunar theories we've all heard, let me explain what actually does take place.

Tidal Waters

In the ocean and in saltwater estuaries, the moon's gravitational pull (centripetal force) exerts an

indirect but real effect on fishing. When the moon is overhead (in the zenith) it literally pulls upward

on the surface of the ocean, creating a water bulge known as high water or "flood tide".

Simultaneous to this event, ocean waters lying 90 degrees from the zenith are literally stretched thin

by gravitational pull. It's analagous to someone filling his lungs with air: while the chest expands

the waist will narrow. Oceanic waters affected by perimeter thinning undergo what's called low water

or "ebb tide". This vertical fluctuation or "tidal range", has an enormous effect on water flow (current),

which in turn has an enormous influence on saltwater fishing.

            There are times each month when the "sun" joins forces with the moon.

The centripetal force of the sun is inconceivably greater than the gravitational pull from our tiny moon,

but the sun is inconceivably farther from the earth (93 million miles away).

In any case, when the moon and sun are both in the zenith (overhead) the result is a super high tide

accompanied by a super low tide in the band lying 90 degrees from the zenith.

Non-Tidal Waters

To a lesser extent, there are also tidal events on the Great Lakes and in brackish tidal waters.

On the other hand, non-tidal freshwater lakes and streams do not undergo any appreciable

tidal fluctuation. As a result, freshwater lakes and streams (save the Great Lakes) are essentially

unaffected by lunar periods.

      The record books show that many freshwater records have been broken during periods

directly between the best lunar periods. Apparently after the fact, the solunar tables also embrace

the half-moon periods midway between the New and Full moons (sheesh...cut us a little slack).

      At any rate, don't take anyone's word for it, there's already too much, Monkey See, Monkey Do.

There's only ONE WAY to prove to yourself that lunar phases actually "do" or "don't" mean a thing

During the spawning season, fish two bass lakes "strictly" during the Worst lunar periods,

and fish two other bass lakes "strictly" during the Best lunar periods.

You might be very surprised to learn that the overall results are remarkably "random".

By The Way, I did notice one amazing phenomenon that is clearly linked to the "Full Moon".

When the moon is full, I have to shave about three times more often!!!                                                                  

                                                                                                           

Roger

     

Matt,

I once kept fishing logs until the neighbors complained about the messy piles in the yard. I have to agree that all the ants, temites, flies, and bugs they drew didn't make for the most sanitary conditions.

Too many spring storms and cloud cover in the spring to depend on the tables at that time of the year.  It offers the prime times, low light conditions.

Best to try to correlate those tables to the summer, when the dog days of fishing are upon us.

Looking at Cali and Tx's top bass, fall thru spring have put more fish in the record books than any other periods.    

http://www.ets-systems.com/lakefork/top50.htm

Its easier to count the ones that didn't come from fall-spring.

The "plethora" of unfounded theories can't argue with actual facts.    

George's pictures on his site say enough to me.

I never believed to to much in the moon phases either. I do know one thing, you can catch bass anytime, esp in the pre-spawn....when i live on the water daily.

i look at it like this... if a fish is hungry, he is going to bite - regardless of the moon, weather, or any other thing for that matter. I think it's more a matter of YOU finding the fish, be it trial and error, than anything else.

i do keep a log, with phases and all that, and after looking at it, i have caught more fish deep when the moon is full +- 3 days, and on other days i can catch them anywhere.

i'm not saying that the moon is not a factor, but i eat when i get hungry, and i eat the same amount every day of the year

We cant just compare our eating habits with BASS, else they just bite 3 times a day.

And we do not attack our food out of anger or frustration.

We just have to be hungry really to eat.

The moon may perhaps affect the mood of the individual running with the pack.

Schooling and the like, pressure in the water.

ACTIVITY.

Yes, other factors are at play.

No one I hope is saying that you WILL NOT get bit on a certain day.

No one would say that you cannot catch a big fish unless certain enviromental requirements are met.

But there are factors in mother nature that make the deer roam, rut and feed.

If you do not buy it then stop asking yourself and ask the one that knows.

Your better half.

Too many spring storms and cloud cover in the spring to depend on the tables at that time of the year. It offers the prime times, low light conditions. Best to try to correlate those tables to the summer, when the dog days of fishing are upon us.

On the contrary, most fishermen are on the fence about the credibility of the moon's affect on bass.

Yet, many of those who are on the fence about lunar phases, firmly believe that spawning activity

and their fishing success in spring is directly linked to the new and full moons. Consequently,

the only sensible time-of-year to test the validity of lunar effects would be during the spawning season.

Many fishing guides believe that the bedding season is the ONLY time-of-year that lunar phase matters

Roger

Tables are to show best feeding times, ie....major and minor bites.

First off, bass spawnig on the nest are not there to eat.    I agree, if weather and temps are right, the full moon will send a wave of spawners to the beds.  

In the spring, you shouldn't need more than a good thermometer to find the right area.    

You can't argue that the majority of all record bass or bass in the tops of most southern states have been caught from Nov-may, fall thru spring.    Which offer the lowest light conditions of the year.  

Not once have I said the astro tables are the ticket, I have pointed out that the times on the charts as to fresh water not effected by tidal movements show the best times to be in the lowest light conditions.

Hence, most fishermen say morning and evening bites are best, which concurs with most charts  and the low light condition, and that most fishermen also say that noon, midday are also other good times, which concurs with the moon rise and moon sets.

That is what I get out of the charts, it tells me most of the active periods are low light conditions.  

Most fishermen say a no wind, sun high in the sky, no clouds, or better known as blu-bird day is the toughest days to fish, which would also correspond to my thinking.    

Why does cloud cover all day make the fishing seem better or more active?

Its a low light condition.  

Thus, anytime you can fish summer days in the dark or lowest light, your odds are better to find active fish.

   

Tables are to show best feeding times, ie....major and minor bites.

First off, bass spawnig on the nest are not there to eat. I agree, if weather and temps are right, the full moon will send a wave of spawners to the beds.

In the spring, you shouldn't need more than a good thermometer to find the right area.

You can't argue that the majority of all record bass or bass in the tops of most southern states have been caught from Nov-may, fall thru spring. Which offer the lowest light conditions of the year.

Not once have I said the astro tables are the ticket, I have pointed out that the times on the charts as to fresh water not effected by tidal movements show the best times to be in the lowest light conditions.

Hence, most fishermen say morning and evening bites are best, which concurs with most charts and the low light condition, and that most fishermen also say that noon, midday are also other good times, which concurs with the moon rise and moon sets.

That is what I get out of the charts, it tells me most of the active periods are low light conditions.

Most fishermen say a no wind, sun high in the sky, no clouds, or better known as blu-bird day is the toughest days to fish, which would also correspond to my thinking.

Why does cloud cover all day make the fishing seem better or more active?

Its a low light condition.

Thus, anytime you can fish summer days in the dark or lowest light, your odds are better to find active fish.

Matt, I believe you have fallen off point.

In Reply #9 above, I made exactly "one" point. The point being, instead of getting caught up

in hearsay and theories, there's only ONE WAY to prove to yourself whether lunar phases

actually matter. Fish two lakes during the best lunar periods, and fish two other lakes

during the worst lunar periods. I have run this experiment during the spawning season,

which many guides believe is the only time of year that moon phases matter.

If you'd rather run your experiments during the summer, have at it  

Roger

Rolo,

I don't need any experierments to tell me when mother nature has warmed the waters up enough to go to the shallows and target spawners.

Thats a no brainer.      

I don't need any experierments to tell me when mother nature has warmed the waters up enough to go to the shallows and target spawners.

That's a no brainer

This is why I said that 'your' experiments should be conducted during the summertime.

By the way, does your water thermometer have a built-in "photoperiod gage"?

If not, you may find that what you call a no-brainer, is really not a no-brainer.

What are you going to do with a water thermometer in the underground-springs belt

of central Florida?? The water temperature there runs 72 degrees "all year round",

yet the bass spawn unerringly, every year in spring!

Roger