Seems to me there may be insufficient data to support either argument? :-/

Statistically it just doesn't hold up -at least for angler catch data. Haven't seen much else.

Dig up the thread on the Texas Share Lunker program started by Catt a while back if you want to see how statistics can tease out the value of a data set. It'll at least give you pause before jumping on a band wagon.

I was once a lunar believer because of things I saw on the water during moons. But then I started paying attention to the times when the moon wasn't involved, and I started to question things.

So...I started observing and documenting the spawn. I just finished my third season. I hope to have something to say after I crunch through things. Another year and my wife might leave me LOL.

Roger's comment addresses the opportunity for spawning behavior to fall during a "moon phase". He's pointing out that it's 50:50 right there.

So far I can tell you that I have seen all ranges of spawning behavior inside and outside the full and new periods. But even this doesn't preclude influence. I've got more crunching to do. Nature just isn't simple, as Catt brings up.

How important is the moon? I intend to find out as best I can.

In my case, I averted divorce by getting my wife involved in project "Lunacy" ;D

Just like you, it was the double-blind approach that caused me grief.

Too many of our best days were outside major and minor solunar periods, and vice versa.

Of course, I'd like to believe that I can improve my fishing with something as simple as monitoring the moon phases.

At first it looked good, but my enthusiasm ran ahead of the curve. Then it got worse and worse,

to the point where even a massaged dataset couldn't save it.

In the final analysis, we're part of an eclectic cosmos steeped in inconceivable interrelationships,

though I failed to disclose any connection, I'd be a fool to rule it out.

Roger

As it stands now, I've honed major influences (as far as fishing results) down to frontal systems and predator prey interactions. Focus there and you'll have the major influences covered. If you get a moon too, great -maybe.

I have hit the ocean nearly everyday between 3am -5am over the last 5 years. I had thought the full moon meant something but on only 1 or 2 full moon outings was the bite hot, for me this myth is busted.

The full moon does affect the strength and the amount of water coming in for high tide, I have noticed as much as about 30' difference in high tides.

The tide is a different story altogether, there is no question about it, the bite is significantly better last hour of the incoming tide (brings bait in which brings game fish). Outgoing tide and west wind there is only a slim chance of having a good outing.

Some fish actually plan the tide almost to the minute, case in point barracuda, which I fish for most days, come as the tide is going slack form in to out. You may not see them for hours, then they come around like a wolfpack, this happens constantly.

Freshwater.......I pay attention to nothing, I just go and enjoy myself, catching fish is a mere byproduct of the experience.

i go regardless of the luner phases. nice just to get away from all the stress from dealing with the public all day.

As I've often stated we are trying to single out a particular part of an entire equation and that just can't be done. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department biologist Clarence Bowling would be excellent research to read, as for Crawfish read the following

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_livestock/aquaculture/crawfish/

Thanks Tom. I bookmarked that one.

As I've often stated we are trying to single out a particular part of an entire equation and that just can't be done.

X2

As I've often stated we are trying to single out a particular part of an entire equation and that just can't be done.

X2

We're all still waiting for someone to post that equation.

But in the mean time, it makes a great scapegoat

Roger

But in the mean time, it makes a great scapegoat

Roger

Excellent patsy for bad days.  

We know for a scientific fact that the full moon phase affects the spawning cycle for example.

Tom, can you offer a citation? I'm genuinely interested.

Try http://fishlab.nres.uiuc.edu/Documents/FME%202008.pdf

WRB

PS; confirms the solunar tables have little or no value and lunar effects are more consistent during spring and summer, with a predictable pattern of depth, no apparent  difference fall and winter. Spawn affect wasn't mentioned directly other than the bass are more active during the full phase due to the increased light affect on bait fish. Interesting study.