Stripers at night and the MOON

[mhall]

Alright does it really kill the bite like some say, I'd like opinions on this subject. I've heard everything from it's good to mostly terrible. Gimme your thoughts??

[striper81]

I have had my best nights when the moon is not visible. The darker the night the better. I have caught fish when the moon is bright just never had a "great" night with a full moon out. I seem to have the best luck just after a full moon is gone.

[tglass]

What happens is that the bright moon will make the bait move away from the bank so they will not be schooled as tight to the bank. This in turn makes the stripers pull back off the bank too. Kinda like making the strike zone go from a hallway to a football field. I have noticed this too. If you look out behind you boat when you are fishing during that full moon you will see bait everywhere on top in the moonlight. That really spreads the fish out in my opinion.

[Duayne]

It can actually be an advantage when the moon is either rising or falling.

Then you can focus on banks that are in the shadows.

[Lowerider]

A lot to consider, but I agree with Glass and Duayne. Overall the bait does become more scattered but keying in on shadows can pay off big. Other considerations - fishing when you can't see the end of your rod is difficult. I've had nights when the fish would only hit if the lure landed right on the bank or **** close - casting that accurate when you can't see can be frustrating and hence one advantage of a full moon is your ability to cast more accurately, not to mention it's easier to run at night and not step all over your rods etc. Not sure if the recent rise has submerged new growth thus making snags a problem or not but usually this time of year the water line is in the trees which makes accurate casts even more difficult.

[Duayne]

Good to see ya, Lowe.

Heading down soon? Weekend after next for me. Had to get a new trolling motor. Should be able to ski behind the new one. Ha!