Solunar tables?

[Wurming67]

How accurate do you think these solunar tables are?

[J._Bricker]

I've wacked 'em when the chart said we shouldn't have and didn't when the the chart said we should have and vise versa.  IMO I guess it can come down to how well you do in relation to the table and whether or not the fish want to cooperate 

 

 

[DogBone_384]

I don't live by them, but try to fish when they predict better conditions.  I'd say they're 75%.  I agree with J._Bricker that I've fished 'average' days and done better than expected.  

I guess they're the hunting/fishing version of the Farmer's Almanac.

[Smokinal]

I do believe the moon effects the bite but I firmly believe the weather far overrides the moon's effect. Basically, I wouldn't schedule or change my fishing plans because of a 96 on the moon scale.

[Team9nine]

2 hours ago, Wurming67 said:

How accurate do you think these solunar tables are?

18.2 - 21.7% accurate

-T9

[WRB]

You might want to look at the Crystal Ball thread May 2014, now located on this page.

Don't disregard information just because it's old or you may not understand the reasoning behind it. The farmers almanac dates back into Ben Franklin era and farmers still follow it.

Gravity affects every living creature on this planet to some degree, sun light and darkness also impacts nearly everything. You can disregard history or learn from it, repeat what works and avoid what doesn't so you don't repeat mistakes of others.

The full moon affects gravity and darkness, it also affects several species spawning rituals, including bass.

Tom

[N Florida Mike]

I follow it if I'm planning a special trip.And I watch it for full moons in spring.Otherwise,I don't follow it.The last 2 times I checked it and fished the best times I caught one over 6 and caught 6 In about half an hour right when the chart said it would be good.I personally think they are generally good in predicting when the fish will bite the best but if you watch them too much it would hinder you from going a lot.

[WRB]

If you look at a solunar table and you decide it's a good day to get out on the water and fish, it worked for you. If you look and believe nothing will happen and stay home it didn't help. Catching fish has a lot to do with believing you can catch fish. 

The solunar tables are based on animal (fish) being part of the plantes ecosystem that are affected by events related to gravity and light. You either accept that theory or not.

I can say that the vast majority of big bass that I have caught occurred during pre spawn around the 5 day cycle of the full moon. I also spent the majority of my fishing time during those days because I was confident they were good times to be fishing,

Tom

[F14A-B]

I absolutely believe in the moon & it's effects on fishing & in many other things, ( insect hatches, crayfish etc..( human behavior )

Tom (WRB ) knows this subject very, very well.

Another fisherman/biologist that firmly believed in it and also had great field experience/documentation, Was Doug Hannon.

I don't claim to understand all the Science on the subject, but I'm convinced, & have been for a couple decades. For me, the matter is decided. 

[Catt]

I have kept detailed records for the past 50+ years, 44 of those years includes thousands of hours of night fishing. My observations show no advantage to any particular moon phase over another. 

The moon's gravitational pull causes a measurable "tidal" movement on every body of water from the mud puddle in your front yard to the oceans of the world. The only observable effect on fish that I've seen is it determines where on structure the fish will be positioned. That is if the "tidal" movement is strong enough & in most inland bodies of water the "tidal" movement simply is not strong enough.

Catching big bass during pre-spawn...now that's shocking!

[WRB]

Everyone has a opportunity to observe this years spawn cycle, it hasn't happened yet.

Make you note when the bass moved up onto bed sites, if it's not during the 5 days around the full moon, I' am wrong, if it is than you will know if the full moon affects the spawn.

Tom

[Catt]

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

Everyone has a opportunity to observe this years spawn cycle, it hasn't happened yet.

Make you note when the bass moved up onto bed sites, if it's not during the 5 days around the full moon, I' am wrong, if it is than you will know if the full moon affects the spawn.

Tom

If a major front moves through during that time frame then the. bass will not move up period!

There is more to when bass spawn than moon phase!

[hawgenvy]

Okay, so they have these solunar tables that are supposed to predict peak feeding times on any given day. Now, they are either statistically significant, or they're not. If they are lets see the statistical data and the analysis. If the data doesn't support their validity, solunar theory is like astrology or fortune cookies. Don't use them.

I am not interested in anecdotal testimony, in claims of improved "confidence" by using the tables, or anything short of analysis by the scientific method.

[Smokinal]

8 hours ago, hawgenvy said:

Okay, so they have these solunar tables that are supposed to predict peak feeding times on any given day. Now, they are either statistically significant, or they're not. If they are lets see the statistical data and the analysis. If the data doesn't support their validity, solunar theory is like astrology or fortune cookies. Don't use them.

I am not interested in anecdotal testimony, in claims of improved "confidence" by using the tables, or anything short of analysis by the scientific method.

My scientific method has been that I've been out on glass slick, bluebird sky, post front conditions when the moon scale was supposed to be jacked; and the bite was horrible. And I've been out on "poor moon days" in weather patterns that favor a good bite (cloudy, rainy or pre front) and had some of the best days of the year.

So, my scientific method of collecting data tells me the weather on a given day has far more control over the bite than the moon does.

[WRB]

You also factor in weather, short term can't predict it months in advance. Storms and rainy weather changes are normal during pre spawn cycle, low light gives the bass a advantage over thier prey and they stay active longer.

Tom

[Wayne P.]

The Solunar tables indicate the most active times each day. Has ZERO to do with weather.

If a particular day has lousy fishing/catching weather, the tables will still show the most active times for that day. The fishing/catching may be non-existent, but you will know which part of the day they will be the most active even a little bit. A fish may move it left fin twice instead of once during the active periods.

[drew4779]

I use them when planning an out of town trip...any edge I can get when taking time off work and driving for hours.  I can't say if it's actually accurate or not, but I can say I haven't had a dud of trip since I've started taking these into account.

 I don't bother looking anymore when staying close to home though.  Why let it get in my head? I know I've had some very good days when the table says I shouldn't. 

[Raul]

12 hours ago, Catt said:

 

 

 

Catching big bass during pre-spawn...now that's shocking!

It´s called witchcraft Catt.

If the Solunar calendar says the fishing is going to be poor then it´s a good time to go fishing, if the Solunar table says the fishing is going to be good then it´s a good time to go fishing, if the fishing calendar says the fishing is going to be less than poor then it´s a good time to go fishing, if there´s full moon then you gotta go, if it´s new moon then it´s also a good time to go and we can go on and on until infinity and beyond, just like Buzz Lightyear says because you want to know something ? -----> ANYTIME IS A GOOD TIME TO GO FISHING !!!

[CJ]

Solunar tables would be the last thing I look at and well, I really quit looking at them (except I look at moon phase around the spawn). However, I know a couple old school guys in Florida who have boated countless 10 lb.+ bass that swear by them. Kinda spins off a thread I recently started. They deal with less conditions and elements as I do on a river reservoir. But I believe it has been proven that the moon phase and position does have an effect on wildlife activity. I pay more attention to it  around the spawn and during deer season.

[N Florida Mike]

26 minutes ago, drew4779 said:

use them when planning an out of town trip...any edge I can get when taking time off work and driving for hours.  I can't say if it's actually accurate or not, but I can say I haven't had a dud of trip since I've started taking these into account.

 I don't bother looking anymore when staying close to home though.  Why let it get in my head? I know I've had some very good days when the table says I shouldn't. 

Exactly the way I use them.

[F14A-B]

I don't use tables. I'm only aware of the lunar cycle as it relates to the fish spawn & insect, crayfish hatch etc..Catt is right though, weather has to trump the moon once the moons influence has been determined or realized.

Sunlight & Temps are king after the moons influence. I think last winter there was a great thread on this subject and it's well worth reading.

[HoosierHawgs]

I'm not even exactly sure how to read them... If someone could explain how to read something along these lines:

http://www.bassmaster.com/astro-tables

That would be great because I see one every month in m magazine. Also, if someone has a link to the circle chart made by @WRB I would be very grateful.

[Catt]

The fish are always biting somewhere...we just have to find somewhere!

[scaleface]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

The fish are always biting somewhere...we just have to find somewhere!

Yep . if i dont catch fish , its not because they were not biting , its because I didnt figure it out .

[hawgenvy]

We all agree that the solunar tables are not very reliable, that other factors like weather are more important. I think the question is whether the tables have any value at all. Anything that gives an edge, even a tiny one, could be of some value to some anglers. So, does solunar theory have any validity?  If it does, how would we know? What's the evidence?