moon vs. storm

[redhooks]

I was wondering about the weather lately and was interested in hearing what other anglers think. It sounds like we have some bad weather comming to northern Mn in the next 2 days-forcasted rain turning to ice and snow.This week is also the full moon and I planned on getting out a couple nights- so what i'm wondering is- Do ya think the storm is going help or hurt fishing (walleyes/ crappies)at night under the full moon?
Good luck to all who venture out! Redhooks

[Farley]

My theory on this is storm fronts effect fish no matter what phase the moon is in. I believe that fish can sense atmospheric changes and that can drive them to bite. If through your experience you've found fish to bite better during a full moon, and there is a storm front comming during a full moon, then "Farley's theory of Fishing" states:
a + b = c where a eqals a storm front, b equals a full moon, and c equals a bucketfull of fish.

[almosthaddabite]

If you haven't had good fishing when it's snowing, you haven't fished when it's snowing. Almost a sure thing, maybe a sure thing period.

[Guest]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but storms bring in clouds. Therefore, you cannot have both a storm and a full moon... so I would say the change in atmospheric pressure is going to affect the fishing more than the phase of the moon.

[jigglestick]

erfishing,i believe the greatest benefit to a full moon is the obvious one, the brite light at night. however one cannot forget that the gravitational pull of the moon is strong enough to make the tides come in and go out. unless that all has changed since i went to school. it has been a long time.
just can't count it out. i do love fishing in snow storms though

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keep your stick on the ice!---jigglestick---

[This message has been edited by jigglestick (edited 12-17-2002).]

[Steve Foss]

Well, I don't mean to dodge the question, but a weekend ice fisherman like me goes when he has the time, whether there's weather or not.

If you're planning to make a trip, make the trip. Nothing short of really ugly weather would stop me from fishing. And no matter what the generalities are, there are always exceptions.

So I'm just happy to get out there when I can, and the weather be ****ed.

[Guest]

Jigglestick, I understand the effects a full moon would have upon night fishing. However, a full moon is of little help on an overcast night, which will be the case if a snowstorm rolls through. Therefore, I would put more emphasis on the changing air pressure. True, the gravitational pull of the moon does cause the changing of the tides to the world's oceans. However, I think it is safe to say that the moon's gravitational pull has little effect on a small Minnesota lake covered beneath a foot of ice. I never heard anyone complain of high or low tide in this area!!

[Wables]

I have another question to throw into the mix. What do you think about wind direction/speed while ice fishing? I know people who believe that is as much of a factor in the winter as it is in the summer, but I don't believe that fish can tell. Any thoughts?

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Wables

[redhooks]

Well to answer my original question fishing was great!- we went out on a bemidji area lake and iced a couple 20"s as well as a couple 22"s a 25" and a 26" (all released) and I brought back two eaters. The water was very clear and most of our fish were caught on tipups w/ shiners away from the portables (and lanterns) in 20-24' from 5-11pm. Even though it was very windy and overcast there was enough moonlight shining through to easily see all of our tip ups in the dark-it was so much much fun I think I'll be doing it again tonight! tight lines to all-redhooks

[jigglestick]

erfishin, you don't have to be a smart *** about it. i was merely stating that the moon does more than just shine. who are we to assume that it has no effect. open minds = full buckets think the ice shields a lake from barometric pressure also? i wasn't trying to slam you. maybe i should have made my comments to myself.

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keep your stick on the ice!---jigglestick---

[the big dipper]

Like stcatfish said, I pretty much go fishing no matter what the weather forecast says, If the fish bite they bite if not, oh well - and I plan on staying out until the weather forces me to head home.

You'll go crazy trying to outguess the weatherman, and most of the time if you let a forecast keep you at home, the weather ends up being being beautiful, and you'll be miserable sitting there wishing you had gone out fishing.

Moon? - No Moon? --- It's affect on fishing seems pretty unpredictable in my experience. I do love a moonlit night though.