understanding the moon phases for fishing...

[David P]

Hey guys, I've only been a serious bass fisher for the past year, and have never payed much attention to the whole moon phase hype..

1. From what you have noticed, is it accurate?

2. Is it best to fish on a full moon, new moon, and what times night or day ?

For someone who is completely new to understanding about fishing based on the moon, please explain!

[George Welcome]

Unless you are fishing tidal waters forget the moon.

[Catt]

There have been numerous books, articles, charts, ect. published on this great mystery of bass fishing. A lot of the authors of these publications go through great lengths explaining how difficult it is to determine these times. It is really quiet simple to determine these times for your self with a little inside information. River and salt water publications go through great lengths explaining how difficult it is to determine tidal movements. The reality is that these best times and tidal movements are related to the moon's phases.

People in animal husbandry, farming, hunting, and fishing has used the moons phases for centuries. One of the oldest publications giving this information is the "Poor Richard's Almanac". 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 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!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

A full, bright moon is a HUUUUGE help!!!  (allows you to tie knots w/o having to turn on your head lamp ;D )

[George Welcome]

And that's the twuth Casper.

[Catt]

Your question is understanding the moon phases for fishing, but you also need to understand this is only part if the equation.  You will need to understand weather, seasons, water conditions, structure ECT to locate and catch fish!

[Guest avid]

what I'm about to say is based on personal observation, but I have never kept records on it and so it is purely conjecture,

But it SEEMS to me, that fishing during the day while the moon is in it's full moon phase is not as productive  as fishing during the day when it is in it's dark (new moon) phases.

If you think I check before going............I don't.   It has nothing to do with my decision to fish or not, but it is something i have noticed over the years.

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

I really don't have an opinion.

It seems like I usually catch bass when I go fishing and don't, when I don't.  My unscientific observation is that other variables are MUCH more important. As a River Rat, current is the overriding variable, always. The season, water temperature and baitfish behavior are other factors that affect success, but I don't know exactly where the moon comes into play.

[Raul]

1.- Moon phases are a piece of cake to understand, go whenever you can regardless of the moonphase and cast your baits in the water.

2.- Full moon is a great help for night fishing, first, like LBH said, you can tie your knots without the help of a flashlight, second, as I say, instead of trying to imagine where your bait is going to land you can see where you are casting.

3.- Moonphases are the perfect scapegoat, if you went and caught nuthin ....... weeeellllllll, you can put the blame on the moonphase, just to make you feel better.

[senile1]

Yeah, you've really got to watch your moon phases as well as if Venus is showing up as the morning or evening star.  Venus has ruined my fishing excursions more than a few times.   :

[Raul]

No sir, that was not Venus, it was Pluto, Pluto is pi$$ed because atronomers decided to demote it from being the 9 th planet of the solar system to celestial body, besides it 's misalignment with Neptune is creating bad vibes that probably will be eliminated next time Saturn crosses the horns of Taurus.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Hmm...

I really don't have an opinion.

It seems like I usually catch bass when I go fishing and don't, when I don't.  

SOMEONE has been reading KU's chart  ;D

[booneangler]

i really dont pay much attention to the moon. But i know a guy that doesnt like to fish when it is  a full moon out. He has said that he doesnt do as good. But hey everyone is intitled to there own opinion.

[Guest avid]

Your question is understanding the moon phases for fishing, but you also need to understand this is only part if the equation. You will need to understand weather, seasons, water conditions, structure ECT to locate and catch fish!

Or tie on a chrome/blue ratltrap.  ;D