Every fisherman dreams of a bigger catch!
Is it possible to know beforehand when you should
plan a trip to enjoy some fishing, catch more than
usual, and come home feeling 100% satisfied? Based
on my own personal research around the best fishing
times, I think it is.
When I first started fishing, the best
fishing time for me was whatever time happened to
suit me. I tried different lures, baits and techniques
until I'd spent a small fortune in my quest to improve
my fishing catch. When I finally heard about the "Solunar
Theory"--or fishing by moon phase--like most
anglers, I was skeptical.
What I'd read sounded too complicated.
All sorts of factors needed to be checked and the
determined angler needed to be at the water's edge
at exactly the right time, TO THE MINUTE, in order
to improve on his average catch. Was I really willing
to take my hobby that seriously? Let's just say that
curiosity got the better of me.
To help me determine whether there was
any truth in the moon's effect on the best fishing
times, I kept a record of every trip I made over a
period of 18 months. All information related to the
moon's phases, the weather conditions and the catches
I made were carefully logged. What I discovered convinced
me that moon phase fishing works. BUT, I also found
that it isn't anywhere near as complicated as many
would have us believe.
Every fisherman knows that the best
fishing times are when the fish are feeding. This tends
to be during dawn and dusk, but what often goes unnoticed
are the two periods elsewhere in the day--moonrise and
moonset. Because the moon has an effect on a variety
of factors surrounding the fish--including the live
fodder they hunt--these periods, combined with the moon's
phase, are what trigger feeding.
By understanding this, and choosing
times when sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset coincide
with new or full moon phases, you'll increase you
chance of a good fishing catch. Assuming there are
fish in the area, of course.
There really is nothing complicated
about this at all; it's just a matter of knowing ahead
of time exactly when the sun and moon will rise and
set. Fish are most active during 90-minute windows surrounding
each of these four daily events; that's 45 minutes before
and after these four daily points.
Fishing during these four periods will
help increase your fishing catch, but if you plan
wisely so as to ensure you're at the water's edge
on the days of new or full moon, you can use these
'windows' to reel in a catch like you've never done
before. If you have to choose between sunrise/set
and moonrise/set, always go with the moon as the moon
is the stronger influence.
Hunters have always known that fish
and game are most active at dawn and dusk--sunrise
and sunset--but their activity surrounding moonrise
and moonset is less noticeable because these events
are likely to occur without effecting any change
in the perceived light. The rise and set of a new
moon is invisible anyway, and overcast weather often
hides the moon. Without prior knowledge of setting
and rising times, two of the best fishing times will
be missed every day!
When planning your fishing by moon
phase, there are certain other factors that should also
be considered.
Weather - Severe weather
changes have an impact on the way fish feed. When
a storm's brewing, or just after one has passed, is
a good time. If this happens while you're in place,
you'll be in for a treat! However, if there's a cold
front approaching, the fish are likely to move deeper
into the water and become inactive.
Season - Most fish
are more likely to bite willingly during seasonal
transitions with the transition from winter to spring
and summer to fall being the two best fishing times.
Now that you know that moon phase fishing
really works, there's no reason why you shouldn't
utilize this knowledge to increase your own fishing
catch by being at the ready with your rod during the
best fishing times available. It's easy and it works!
Good luck!
