Moon Phases

[ArnieDB]

HEY ALL,

I am curious to know your opinions on how the moon phases affect fishing conditions??? I have read/Heard a lot of info that says it is the single biggest contributing factor for producing "great fishing" and have read/heard it really has no significant impact.

I know that the October full moon is Friday....In general, what are the "hottest times of day" to fish the full moon? maybe night?

Thanks!

[markkstanley]

Has an effect but overall weather conditions are much more important. Full and new moon phases are noted for big fish so I always try to hit the water around them but I don't get too concerned about fishing the other times.

[RK]

Hiya -

Couldn't agree more with Mark. Moon phases can help make a good thing better, but weather trumps everything. Get a bad cold front and it won't matter if there's a new moon, blue moon, or two moons tied together - it's going to be tough...

That having been said, on those tough days paying attention to moonrise or set might help and sure can't hurt.

The problem I sometimes see with the moon phase stuff is it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. You know a lunar period is coming up, so you go to your best spot, think very carefully about what lure to use, fish the spot carefully and thoroughly, and then when - lo and behold - you catch a fish, you say it was the MOON? Give yourself some credit I think it can help, but only in combination with fishing effectively in the first place.

As far as full moons - this is my opinion, but I know some other awfully good anglers that agree with me on this... I think that for Leech Lake strain fish, dark of the moon is far far better than full moon for night fishing. I'm convinced of it to the point where if there's a full moon up at night I won't night fish... Wisconsin strain fish are different...they seem to like full moons. It's one of the many ways the two strains differ behaviorally I think.

The curveball in that is fall full moons. If they coincide with cisco spawn, fall full moon can be very very good... Generally fall full moon isn't as much of a negative psychologically with me.

My $.02 ..for what little that's worth...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[ArnieDB]

Thanks for the input! I appreciate you guys taking the time to share your knowledge...

RK.......I fish mostly WI waters, so the full moon this weekend gets me even more fired up to start casting than i already was....if that is possible.

Thanks again!

[propster]

Rob, I buy your whole deal, based on my limited experience. Do your records or does your experience also show (for Leech Lake strain) dark of the moon (new moon) not as good for daytime fishing? That is what I find, and my only guess can be that it's because the moon is up during the day.

[RK]

Hiya -

Well, I guess I've never though about new moon/daytime so never really payed attention to any connection there. Hmm... Another thing to try to keep track of Interesting observation though...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm