Theories on Moon Effects on Bass.

[D.Cox]

Got to fish Patrick Henry Lake  in TN from 7 PM-3AM the last 2 Fridy nights. Last Friday night the Spinnerbait bite was great with the full moon. We caught a lot of smallmouth between 15-17 ¾ on spinner baits but had only one keeper that was 18 inches.  The large mouth, hit a black buzzbait good late in the night and several others that had good fish came on a buzzbait.  The jig bite did not happen at all last weekend. We finished 2 nd in this event with a lot of limits.

This weekend was completely different , the Jig bite started off good, had 2 keeper largemouth  before dark, then it slowed til 10 pm. Caught a 19 inch Smallmouth on a jig. She was big fish for the event.  I only caught small large mouth on the spinnerbait and buzzbaits and all were less than 12 inches.  We caught one more largemouth on a jig and caught 2 keepers on a worm.  We finished 1st in this event. We had about the same wieght, but caught different ways.

The water level were the same, water temp- same, water generations- same and weather: calm clear skys, the only difference was the moon.

Do any of  you have any ideas why the moon makes these nights so different?

[Shawn OConnor]

3 days before and 3 after are always the best fishing.  It's seemed to work every time I'm out.

[Catt]

The only difference was when the moon was rising & setting but I seriously doubt the moon caused the bass to prefer one lure over another.

[Jeff C.]

Dow,

a lot of guys swear by the moon cycle..

your tourneys run through the nite, ? during the dark ?

just heading out now,,5:30 am to try out your new football jig,

[D.Cox]

My thoughts on what happens and why. About 10 years ago, I had a 55 gallon fish tank and started catching crawdads from different lakes and watching them. I had 3 different types and up to 6 in the tank. They were in the tank for 2 years and I did observe that during the few days before and after the full moon was their most active time.  They would come out of the rocks and move around the tank. The only other time they were this active was when they were fed with fish food. I would notice that during peak lunar times some crawfish would come out of their hiding place and roam around, but not always.  For example, during peak times in the day they would be at the top of the holes or entrance, you could see the antennas but during non peak times they were not visible at all.

This is why I assume that during the full moon, plus or minus 3 days that the bait are more active and as a result, the bass are more conditioned to chase a faster moving lure.

I have also noticed that the shad will spawn on a full moon, but I think most of the shad have finished spawning  here; we have thread fin, gizzard shad and alwie.

[burleytog]

jig bite did not happen at all last weekend.

They started biting the jig after you guys left.  We got into them on the spinnerbait early (we blasted off at 5AM), then once it got light, the jig was king.

I've noticed on Boone that they seem to bite a little better leading up to the full moon.  Two weeks ago they were on.  This weekend, couldn't buy a keeper in any of my spots.

You fishing with Bloomingdale?

[avid]

I have had great days and lousy days on all phases of the moon.  But I do have one belief about moon phase and bass fishing.

I don't seem to do well on DAYS when the moon is full.

I've been told that because of the bright light the bass feed all night, and this may be true, but with some notable exceptions I find the bite is slower during day time fishing when the moon is full.

[Catt]

While I agree the moon has an effect on bass I just don't believe the moon caused the bass to prefer one lure over another.

I pay more attention to when the moon rises & sets than I do to the actual phase  

[Bassnajr]

I personally don't think you should moon any one while fishing.....

[Tin]

It makes a difference for one thing, the spawn. After that, I have never seen a pattern that would make it influence fishing one way or the other.

[Paul Roberts]

Just don't know yet.

[hookset on 3]

3 days before and 3 after are always the best fishing. It's seemed to work every time I'm out.

I agree with Shawn. I've been bassin' for almost 40 years and have definitely seen more heightened activity for bigger bass during these times. i fish almost every day and keep a log of my fishing success.

hookset

[WRB]

The solunar table/ moon phase affects are ongoing debates.

http://fishlab.nres.uiuc.edu/Documents/FME%202008.pdf is one study report that is contrary to commonly held belief that moon phases affects bass behavior.

My observations over a lifetime experience supports the 5 day period around the full moon; 2 days before, full and 2 days after being more active feeding periods, during the pre spawn and summer periods.

Reason; increased light allows sight feeding fish like bass to be more successful catching prey during the full moon cycle. Bass are very active during pre spawn and summer nights. The balance of the year, not sure and haven't noticed any pattern, except spawning cycles starting around the same full moon cycles.

WRB

[George Welcome]

If you want to know if a full moon increases night fishing than check some of the scientific studies of light penetration on a full moon into perfectly clear water. You might be surprised at just how much or how little the effect truly is.

If the water level isn't tidal controlled, the moon doesn't affect bass. Of course since this is an animal that lives by no rules you might find it controlling your situation immensely.

[Muddy]

I personally don't think you should moon any one while fishing.....

 OH YEA???

[ABLE2DISABLE1]

The Rise is better for me, then the fall is just great, but not during the phase of the sun or moon period.Monthly peaks in both full and new moon are a factor definitely, Worth it.Bad weather prolonged conditions, open small windows, 3/4hrs. of fishing. Fish the daily rise or set, of the SUN or MOONs key phases is paramount, (to me).Legitimate fact that weather helps elevate daily on sun and moon, rise or set as well.Also Elevates the Possibilities of landing that DREAM.All phases creates active movement of big fish, we just have to find them.Ooo, during a GOOD Photoperiod, LIGHTS OUT.It has it,s ups and down just like any other thing we try to do, just keep at it and you will find what works under what period you fish.

[George Welcome]

I personally don't think you should moon any one while fishing.....

OH YEA???

I ain't never gonna fish no more! :'(

[Catt]

Thank God that's not a full moon

[Matt Fly]

Like mentioned, if its not tidal, then tides don't come into play in our neck of the woods so far inland.

If I was trying to hit the spawn, I'd try to plan on the full and new moon periods.

 But always remember, lunar charts are written years in advance, and they can't predict weather and if the clouds will have the moon covered all night.

    Other than trying to plan hitting peak spawn periods, I go fish when I can.  

[CmacFL]

3 days after the full moon and 3 days before like Shawn said is golden.  I'm talking day fishing, never fish that much at night.  But also another post is on track too.  Dark dark nights with no stars or moon, heavy clouds even is great for fishing the next day.  The fish can't see anything on dark dark nights.  Check the stars .  Dark night= good day of fishing next day.  

[Shawn OConnor]

No, it's there is no tidal effect if you are on a lake.  Obviously though, the moon has a impact on the gravitational forces.  Does that mean it gets the bait fish moving?  Not sure.  I promise you though, with the right weather conditions on the evening (before dark) of the full moon, it's the best fishing.  Proved that on the finger lakes of NY with this beast.  

[Shawn OConnor]

Oh ya, and this one in NC in March this year.  

[D.Cox]

Thanks for the input everyone. Now, I have a lot more things to think about. And, after 25 years of fishing, the more I think I learn about fish, the more I realize that I do not understand why fish do what they do. I just like to catch them!

Burley, yes I was fishing the Bloomingdale club.

Avid, I have noticed the same in the deep south ,(TN, SC, AL, GA, FL, TX), If it is bright at night in water above 55 deg, the morning bite will be slow and pickup in the afternoon.

Cat, I have not thought about the moon rise and set, but I will pay more attention now.

WRB, thanks for the link, interesting, would like to see study like this one on Guntersville!

Matt, I was looking at my fishing logs, I was fishing Boone about 12 years ago. This lake is a highland reservoir controlled by the TVA by a dam for producing power. The water temp was in the 82-84, clear water and I had been catching Stripe bass before the ski boats started around 10 am. I started before daylight and at 9:30 the fish started schooling, and I caught several. The next day they started schooling around 10:30 and I caught them again for about 45 minutes. Both times the moon was directly overhead.

Just something else to think about.

[Bassnajr]

Nice crescent moon Mud!!!!!!

Now I have to fish 3 days after THAT!!!!!!  ;D ;D

[RoLo]

Deer are nocturnal, and during nights with a full or gibbous moon, deer hunting always bites-the-bag.

On moonlit nights, deer are already bedded down before I'm posted on my morning stand.

In the evening, the deer won't move into the fields until after dark (after legal hunting hours).

Bass are primarily diurnal, nonetheless I'm sure that moonlit nights have a significant affect on their dining schedule.

I've never believed that the connection is celestial however, but due simply to lighting conditions.

That is to say, full and gibbous moons would have no effect on bass fishing during night skies with heavy overcast.

Roger