Printable View
Does anyone believe in fishing by a lunar fishing calendar?
I just found this new site that looks pretty interesting, but I don't know if it really works...It seems like local weather patterns, especially cold fronts affect the fish bite more than the moon phase.
[URL="http://www.fishfeedingchart.com/"]http://www.fishfeedingchart.com[/URL]
I saved a link to my desktop just the same, but I personally think cold fronts play a vital role myself. After the front came through last weekend Cumberland pretty much sucked IMO. By the weights for several more too. Green River Lake is another that's very subjective to cold fronts. Worse than Cumberland IMO as well & it's pretty much awsome the last few years, but when you can look up & see the end of the cloud line when a front's passing through you may as well be prepared it's fixing to shut down big time.
Just one more piece of the equation. I look mainly for moon rise and set and sun rise and set times. Add that to current weather, approaching and exiting fronts, and wind directions. Best case scenario, thunder storm just passed 20 minutes ago, winds calm, pressure on a slow rise, and sun just setting, and moon on the rise. Just one more vaiable.
No idea on that but I think there are sites that graphically display the information much better and are probably easier and more fun to look at. Google the topic to find them.
[QUOTE=HURRICANEBOB;460135]Just one more piece of the equation. I look mainly for moon rise and set and sun rise and set times. Add that to current weather, approaching and exiting fronts, and wind directions. Best case scenario, thunder storm just passed 20 minutes ago, winds calm, pressure on a slow rise, and sun just setting, and moon on the rise. Just one more vaiable.[/QUOTE]
Are you referring to the dawn of "The Age of Aquarius" If so, I think that happened only once back in the 70's. lol
We never look at the charts. Between responsibilities at home and work anytime we have a chance and the weather is reasonable is the best time to fish. lol
Like most of us here, I don't get to plan my fishing trips according to moon phases or cold fronts. If I have a trip planned, I go no matter the weather knowing full well that I may have to adjust my fishing to maximize the most bites based on conditions. I will consider time of year, water temps and moon phase to help eliminate water before I get to the lake and then based on frontal conditions will eliminate more water or types of baits to get the most out of the trip. I will also use the moon phases to choose color because ESPECIALLY if I am fishing a deep clear lake like Dale Hollow, because I have had success with different colors around the full moon and new moon phases. I will also use the moon phase to help determine where to start looking for fish on a lake like Dale Hollow, there again, I have more success around the rocky and black shale around the full moon and the deeper grass beds around the new moon. Obviously, pre cold front conditions are better than post cold front conditions but fish can be caught on any frontal condition - maybe not as many as we all want but they can be caught.
Fishing Facts magazine has done several min derth studys of the moon or solunar tables, they think its better than a 50/50 chance that they work. A lot of the most succesfull tournys have coincided with the tables. But like most folks, I fish when I get a chance.
4 give the speling, old eyes and stiff fangers.
I pay attention to the moon. When conditions line up with a full or new moon your chances for a big fish increase. Probably half or more of the bass over 8lbs I've caught came on a full or new moon. Its especially important in the winter when they feed less often.
I haven't noticed the fishing in general to be better, just the one big bite. I think the actual time of day makes a difference as well, on the new or full moon. But, people catch big fish when the moon isn't "right" all the time too.
Another thing to consider is that the full moon triggers fish to spawn, especially bluegill, bass' main food source in most places. That part isn't opinion, it's proven fact. Seems to me something that affects spawning has got to affect the fishing, don't you think?
How often and when does shad spawn? Anyone know?