Moon Phases & Fishing
The movements of the moon have informed and mystified fishermen for generations. Some swear by lunar tables, while others swear they have no meaning whatsoever. But there is data that clearly shows the moon has an affect on the movements and feeding patterns of fish; the challenge is deciphering exactly what this effect is.
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History
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In 1926 John Alden Knight began to seriously analyze and compile data on the effects of the sun and the moon on fish. He discovered there are countless factors that influence fish behavior. By the late 20th century, the lunar tables Knight developed were published in most major outdoors magazines.
Time Frame
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Four daily events have a strong impact on fish activity: sun rise, sun set, moon rise, and moon set. The 45-minute periods before and after each of these events see increased fish activity. Nearly any fisherman will tell you that fish feed at dawn and dusk, but few pay as much attention to the moon movements as they do the sun. This is largely because moon rise and moon set are usually invisible. Still, these events have a significant impact on the movements of bait fish and, when combined with moon phase, can trigger feeding in game fish.
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New and Full Moon
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Certain peak periods--specifically full moon and new (dark) moon--see increased feeding activity in fish. The effects of these phases are strongest right on the day they occur, but tend to last for about five days afterward. Additionally, moon phases seem to have a particular impact on larger fish, making the five day full and new moon peak periods your best chances to catch trophy-size fish.
Application
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Understanding the effects of the sun and the moon can allow you to plan your fishing trips for periods when you have increased chances of catching more and bigger fish. There are several online resources to help chart moon phases as well as the moon rise and set times (see resources).
Other considerations
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While the moon has an indisputable effect on fishing, it is far from the only factor. Seasonal movements and local weather conditions tend to be considerably more important, and can add another set of variables to the mix. And knowing where the fish will be during a particular season is much more important than knowing where the moon will be.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit moon image by Augenblicke from Fotolia.com
