How Much Does Full Moon Effect Day Fishing?

[dday07]

always seem to do good at diamond valley lake here in cal.(1 of top lakes in country)but have a tough time on the days there is a full moon.how many out there think the full moon effects the day fishing?(5 dollar bet going with my bro on this one)

[kms399]

for me when there is a full moon I pretty much only fish evening or really early morning as in 3 am. It seems like whenever I get out after a full moon the fishing is terrible, sunday I caught 1 little 3 lb snot rocket for 5 hours of fishing throwing everything from spinnerbaits, crankbaits, shakyhead just about every soft plastic I own. the pike came on a walk the dog topwater at around 6 30 am. I was late to the launch and didn't even launch till 6. I fished big stuff and little stuff and in depths from 0-20 ft I just couldn't get on them!

[bassgrabber1]

I heard that about DVL...I usually do pretty good at Perris when there is a full moon..... I try not to follow the moon phase to much for lake fishing.

[Nick]

Many think that in clear water lakes, the bite is tougher during the day in the warm water period during the full moon. The bass seem to prefer night feeding then.

[NorcalBassin]

Around the spawn I seem to do really well but other parts of the year it pretty much stinks (during the day).

[jeb2]

Agreed. It really depends on the body of water, time of year and weather. I for sure have not had better luck fishing during the day after a full moon most of the year. Usually it's worse.

[HEEF]

I think the moon phase has alot to do with the fishing. When it is clear nights during the full moon phase the fish are much more active. They can see better so they take advantage of the extra light for hunting, they are ambush predators. I think this is really evident on clear bodies of water, during the day the fish are just chilling out more I think. It can be really tough fishing around full moons. I agree with kms399 you have to get on them super early or in the evenings. I get really frustrated fishing around this moon phase, but some fishing is better than no fishing at all!

[WRB]

I think the moon phase has alot to do with the fishing. When it is clear nights during the full moon phase the fish are much more active. They can see better so they take advantage of the extra light for hunting, they are ambush predators. I think this is really evident on clear bodies of water, during the day the fish are just chilling out more I think. It can be really tough fishing around full moons. I agree with kms399 you have to get on them super early or in the evenings. I get really frustrated fishing around this moon phase, but some fishing is better than no fishing at all!

The full moon has a direct affect on tides and nearly every living creature on earth, including fish.

bass (LMB, SM, Spots) time the start of major spawning activity with the 1st full moon phase, so it affects the pre spawn and spawn periods.

The light the full moon adds to night affects the insect and other animal activity during the summer period.

I haven't experienced any positive affect the full moon has during the cold water or winter period, the sun warming the water has a much bigger affect during the winter.

Tom

PS; DVL is still in the late summer early fall transition (70 degree water)and targeting threadfin shad. Shad hide during the low light periods in cover and move out into open water during the sun light periods to feed on phytoplankton. Shorter days = less light, the shad stay deeper.

Tom

[Catt]

Pay attention to when the moon raises and sets

Example for today:

The time for the first major feeding period is an hour and a half prior the moon reaching its apex which is now.

The time for the first minor feeding period is an hour and a half prior to the setting of the moon.

The time for the second major feeding period is an hour and a half prior the moon reaching its perigee.

The time for the second minor feeding period is an hour and a half prior to the raising of the moon on the horizon.

This does not take into account weather, seasons, or your ability to locate fish!

[Hyrule Bass]

or sometimes you can just throw all the scientific overthinking mumbo jumbo to the side and just fish

[WRB]

Catt tried to make it simple; anyone can take a minute to look at the moon phase and determine it's location in reference to the horizon. Does the position of a full or new moon make any difference? It's a factor to consider when trying to be at the right place at the right time.

The full moon phase is so important to me I take time off work to fish the 5 day periods around the full moon during pre-spawn transtition to spawn. I plan my night fishing for the same 5 day full moon phase.

Tom

[dday07]

thanks for the replies,i think i have enough here to win the bet...LOL!

[scrutch]

I think it's got a lot to do with HOW MUCH light. I think that bass start feeding when the light conditions are right for their style of feeding.

I believe that the bass feed all night during a CLEAR full moon night. Not so much on a CLOUDY full moon night.

I believe the bass are just full from feeding all night after the CLEAR night, and are just starting to feed before sunrise after a CLOUDY full moon night.

I love to fish those nights when you can see all the way across the lake and you don't need lights to see. They're always a great time to catch lots of bass.

SO...

Clear full moon night... Fish at night.

Cloudy full moon night...fish sunrise & sunset.

[RHuff]

On 10/14/2011 at 1:31 PM, WRB said:

Catt tried to make it simple; anyone can take a minute to look at the moon phase and determine it's location in reference to the horizon. Does the position of a full or new moon make any difference? It's a factor to consider when trying to be at the right place at the right time.

The full moon phase is so important to me I take time off work to fish the 5 day periods around the full moon during pre-spawn transtition to spawn. I plan my night fishing for the same 5 day full moon phase.

Tom

 

Do you consider the pre-spawn transition to spawn to be a specific water temperature? For example, do you look for the first full moon after the water first hits 50 degrees? 55 degrees? 60 degrees? 

[WRB]

6 minutes ago, RHuff said:

 

Do you consider the pre-spawn transition to spawn to be a specific water temperature? For example, do you look for the first full moon after the water first hits 50 degrees? 55 degrees? 60 degrees? 

See my Cosmic Clock and Bass Calendar, Goggle search.

Tom

[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 moonphases 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!

[TOXIC]

All I know is that according to my grandfather, the fish won't bite if the cows are laying down.  

[greentrout]

 

https://www.mdwfp.com/apps/feeding-times/

 

it's a good idea to know the moon phases if you fish the marshes with brackish water...

 

good fishing... 

[Team9nine]

One must always be aware of the behavioral dimension (of anglers) in anything related to the explanation of why fish do what they do.

[OCdockskipper]

1 hour ago, TOXIC said:

All I know is that according to my grandfather, the fish won't bite if the cows are laying down.  

It sounds like the reason your grandfather didn't catch any fish was because he was fishing at a dairy farm.

[Tennessee Boy]

"High Percentage Fishing: A statistical Approach To Improving Catch Rates" by Josh Alwine has a chapter on moon phases.  He discusses the arguments for gravity, light levels,  and position of the moon.  He also looks at some studies like the moon phase when world records catches were made.  He makes a pretty strong case that the link between fishing and moon phase is a myth.  Then he makes an exception for muskie fishing ?.  Personally,  I don't consider the moon phase when planning my fishing.  I always catch more fish when I'm on my boat than I do when I'm on my couch.    

[Catt]

1 hour ago, greentrout said:

it's a good idea to know the moon phases if you fish the marshes with brackish water.

 

Tidal waters, the tide is directly related to moon phase

 

Do you know when the strongest tides are?

 

New moon not full !

 

My personal opinion it's a length of time, from full moon to full moon is one month not 30 or 31 days.

 

The first day of spring is Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at 5:58 P.M. EDT.

 

Bet y'all the bass say otherwise ?

[Tennessee Boy]

10 minutes ago, Catt said:

The first day of spring is Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at 5:58 P.M. EDT.

 

Bet y'all the bass say otherwise ?

I'm not following you on this.  Can you explain?

[scbassin]

Catt is right on, If you pay attention to your surroundings while fishing in these time periods you will notice the the activity or lack of feeding with birds & animals. During the major & minor periods there is more feeding going on.  

[roadwarrior]

7 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I'm not following you on this.  Can you explain?

Bass  spawn at different times in the various regions. Florida is already into pre-spawn and many of the southern states will be gearing up shortly.