Am or pm

[Catt]

Both ?

 

If you only go early you will catch more early. Same with evenings!

 

My preference 6 PM to 6 AM...all night long!

 

Why? Daytime temperatures in the triple digits.

[BustedSwimbait]

I fish whenever I get a chance, but if I'm making a plan. It's always an early day to avoid the silliness that happens when people starting coming out.

 

[Bluebasser86]

If I'm out fishing at 6PM, I'll probably still be fishing at 6AM. The morning bite is my favorite bite. The evening bite isn't usually as good for me. 

[Bankc]

This time of year, the mornings.  It's cooler and less crowded on the lake.  Plus the wind is usually a lot calmer in the early hours than in the late hours.

 

In the winter, the evenings.  The water is warmer and the fish more active.  And the crowds and wind are less of an issue any time of day.  

 

In the spring and fall, it depends on the day.  Actually, it depends on the day during the summer and winter as well.  But I don't have as strong of a preference in the spring and fall as I do in the summer or winter.  

[soflabasser]

Fish whenever you have the time to fish.

[ironbjorn]

Morning has historically been much better than evening for me. 5:30am-9:30am has been really good to me this year in particular, with the best fish coming before 7:30am. Historically I've had killer days at midday when it was stinkin' hot and sunny, so don't discount that.

 

True evening has never been all that great for me. It's been hot as hell all day long up to that point. I've found a setting sun doesn't magically make things any better. Sometimes the dinkers will turn on, but the big girls are still out there, somewhere, doing big girl things, while the dinker bucks go ADHD. Whereas for the morning bite, the water has cooled all night long and the darkness gets the big girls active and they stay active until the sun is really blazing down on the water. Then it settles and gets real quiet until at some point midday, whenever they feel like it, a window opens up and you can really hammer them again for a short time.

[bowhunter63]

I always do better in the morning 

[WRB]

During past 60 years or so dawn to the sun above the horizon about 30 degrees has been the AM time I have caught 75% of big bass. As the sun gets lower then 30 degrees from the horizon to dusk has been the PM time I have caught the highest % of heavy limits of bass. The factor that equalizes catch rates is overcast sky with light rain that extends the low light time period for me.

Another factor not discussed is moon phase. Moon phase repeats itself every 28 days. What I have learned is moon phase is only a factor when the moon is up at night a full moon during day light can be a negative.  10 of the nights 28 are 5 days around full and new moon, leaving 18 days in less active periods.

AM dawn and PM dusk during full and new moon phases at night have been better for me.

Tom

[Catt]

The moon's phases are divided into four quarters, two of which are your minor times, and two of which are your major times.

The times for the major periods are as follows
An hour and a half prior the moon reaching its apex
An hour and a half prior to the moon reaching its perigee
The major periods are the first quarter new moon and the third quarter full moon.
The gravitational pull of the sun and moon is three times greater on the new moon than the full moon. At the time of the new moon the earth has the moon and the sun in a straight line pulling together. This first quarter, dark night phase differs from the third quarter full moon phase when the earth moves between the moon and the sun. The new moon dark night is only difficult on the angler because you must rely on your sense of feel when working your bait. If you want to really learn how to fish baits that require a lot of feel like worm or jigs try new moon nights.

The times for the minor periods of these moon phases are as follows
An hour and a half prior to the raising of the moon on the horizon.
An hour and a half prior to the setting of the moon.

Now take into consideration the above listed times you end up with 3 hrs. of major time periods and 3 hrs. of minor times periods. This does not take into account weather, seasons, or your ability to locate fish!

 

[Skunkmaster-k]

I just learned something. 

[Gregorym38]

6 hours ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

I just learned something. 

I know right

[keagbassr]

Separate knob.

[BillP]

I like to be on the water by at least 6 in the morning. By 10 the bite seems to end for me.

[Gregorym38]

2 minutes ago, BillP said:

I like to be on the water by at least 6 in the morning. By 10 the bite seems to end for me.

This is seeming to be a common occurrence with anyone i talk to. For me, i have caught some of my biggest fish around noon, but its very circumstantial. By 1 the bite definitely takes a hit for me.