Full Moon Light efect on Catfish?

[fishdog]

I've been arguing with my fishing partner while Catfishing about the Full Moon Light(and light in general) He thinks that when the full moon is straight up above the fish wont bite and he want to pack it up and go home. I dont thing It makes a difference as much as other things do (are they hungry,recent rain, barimetric pressure, fishing pressure, ect.) "just to prove it to me" We waited it out on Tuesday night after around 2 hrs of waiting for the next bite the moon was straight above us and he was going on and on about all the light and how Cats hate light and now I should Know hes right. when all of the sudden wham!! I caught my biggest Cat ever 16lbs 31 inch long "Fat Cat" is was just before sunrise(morning twilight) and was brighter that anytime all night the moon was still out above us. He then said the moon was past straight above us (only after fighting the Cat for 15min and then taking pictures and releaseing the cat) He still thinks he's right !! The argueing does pass the time, but its frustrating and noisey! ANY INPUT WILL HELP.

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[DARK30]

I myself can't say either way because I haven't taken note. I do know some guys who swear that a bright moon will slow the fishing.

Last night two of us boated 6 Channels and two Flatheads with numerous runs to boot. Although the moon wasn't full, it certainly was bright.

Maybe its not the light but rather the magnetic nature of the moon that has an effect on the fishing? I know it has alot to do with fishing saltwater and the tides.

WET NETS!

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[Guest]

I used to beleive that full moons were hopeless nights until this year. We fished the Mn river in June under a full moon and in 2 nights we boated a 39, 37, 33 and a 26 lb flat. And then this Tuesday night on the Red, once again under a full moon I got the biggest Channel of my life 19 lbs. Not to mention that night we boated 11 Channels that averaged 11.88 lbs each. So now I fish when I want to and not what then moon says. You never know when that big one is going to eat your bait.

Good luck fishdog!

[Steve Foss]

In all the years I've done it, I've never noticed any difference.

[Dirk W]

I don't think the full moon / moon phase has enough effect on flathead fishing to warrrant much consideration. Others swear by it. I've caught big fish during the full moon, 3/4, 1/2, etc. The full moon isn't going usually make a ton of difference. Weather, current flow, time of year, etc. are much more important, at least to me.

[Wiskers]

Well in all my fishing I have not noticed that huge effect on cats with the moon. In some areas it will effect the tide which will change the eating habits of the cats and where they will be pending on the tide.

The Red River in Lockport is one example. With the Moon and tide it will determine the areas to fish for them is all. Wind and tide both have the effect on fish. Not biting is not it. Where to look for them is the trick at these times.

Hope that helps.

Keep that rod tip up.

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River & Minnesota RIver Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[dragon master]

On a full moon stay home and drink party pops I hate a full moon.

Riverrat I still say the only way that are party chaught all the flats that night ( what 164lbs) was we were in deep shadow all night, the moon never did hit us. And when we got back to the landing we were the only ones to get any fish that night.

Went up last weekend and that was on a full moon. The outher half twisted my arm and made me go. The only time we had any runs or caught fish was when the sky was overcast. When the moon came out and you could see your shadow on the ground the flats shut off.

Rivercat when you were on the Red was it overcast or did you see your shadow? Also can you shot me a test E-mail? For some reson I can not reply to the last one you sent.

[Guest]

Dragon- the night was so bright, didn't even need a flashlight. But we are talking about two different types of cats though. I think your right about that hole being covered from the moon. I still prefer to fish the dark moon for the flats. This year was just bad seemed like when I got a chance to go it ended up on a full moon night. overall still not a bad year

I sent you a test page.

[rushing]

I would rather fish a new moon but a full moon is not gonna stop me from fishing. I like when it darker out so I can see the stars better. What I have noticed for me is that confidence seems to come into play. When I feel confident about a spot or a night I seem to do better than when I just don't think I'm gonna get any kitties.
???????

Rob

[Guest]

What a full moon may influence is location more then anything. When the moon is high and water clarity is good baitfish tend to also ride high. Food up, fish fallow.

Predators often key in on this and silhouette feed moving up or concentrating their feeding upwardly. From walleye to cats this is very often a full moon predator/prey pattern. As the waters clear and cool into fall this High Hunt pattern is more prevalent then during the dog days.

Find food, find fish, catch fish.

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Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RED"
701-281-2300
[email protected]