Fishing during different phases of the moon is a common practice, and there are many different theories about how the moon phase affects fish behavior. Some people believe that the moon’s gravitational pull affects the water, affecting the fish. Others believe that the moon’s light draws the fish in. Is Fishing better during a Full Moon?
Fishing during a full moon can be very productive, mainly near sunrise or sunset. The fish are usually more active during those times, and they will be looking for food to eat. In the same way, the full moon is the time of the month when the moon is at its brightest.
Fish are able to feed all day and night when we have large full moons, casting plenty of light into the water and allowing predators to be more active for longer periods of time. As the full moon approaches, the fish get excited and start taking advantage of the more powerful tides and more time to feed
Full Moon and Fishing
The Full Moon phase is named as such because, from our perspective from Earth, the full disk is illuminated. At this time, the Sun and Moon are in opposition, meaning that they are farthest apart in the sky, on opposite sides of Earth (Sun→Earth→Moon).
Fishing during a full moon can be very productive, mainly near sunrise or sunset. The fish are usually more active during those times, and they will be looking for food to eat. In the same way, the full moon is the time of the month when the moon is at its brightest and fish will use this as an advantage to fill up with baitfish.
They are apt to stay on top of the water where the moon lights up the surface exposing smaller schools of baitfish and insects.
Most avid fishermen and women agree that fishing is better on the days leading up to and after a full moon. On the other hand fishing success is not as good on the actual day of a full moon. It also depends on the species of fish you’re after and whether you are fishing in saltwater or freshwater.
If you fish during a full moon, you fish when the tide changes the most. During a full moon, large amounts of water can move during the tide in some places. You should be familiar with how much tidal water moves during the tide in your area first.
Both the sun and the moon affect oceans and tides around the world. However, since the moon is closer to the Earth than the sun, it is easier to predict. When the moon rotates around the earth, the gravitational pull causes movement in the rivers and oceans which wakes up the fish making it easier for fishermen to catch them.
Fishing during a full moon can be very productive, mainly near sunrise or sunset. The fish are usually more active during those times, and they will be looking for food to eat. In the same way, the full moon is the time of the month when the moon is at its brightest.
Because the full moon provides more light than any other phases. This makes nighttime fishing very productive but the catch pardon the pun is that fishing during the day on a full moon can be slow because the fish have been feeding all night under the bright lights of the full moon.
Here is a great analogy of Full Moon Fishing from a Charter Boat Captain.
What is the best Moon Phase for Saltwater Fishing?
Most Saltwater fishermen agree the best fishing in a Moon Phase is a few days leading up to a New Moon and 2 or more days after. With a Full Moon, it’s 3 or 4 days leading up to the Full Moon Including the day of the Full .………………………………………read more
Do Moon Phases Affect Fishing?
Yes-Most anglers on salt & freshwater use moon phases & the lunar cycle to plan fishing trips because they believe that the best times for fishing are during a new moon phase or a full moon cycle when tides & currents are strongest creating more movement for bait fish .……………………………….read more
Full Moon vs New Moon Fishing
There is some confusion with explaining the new moon and the full moon I had a problem myself. Here are the differences:
During a new moon, the moon is situated between the Sun and the Earth. As a result, the side that is illuminating light is facing the Sun. The dark side that is not illuminated by sunlight is facing the Earth. So, we cannot see a moon on a new moon from Earth.
During a full moon, the moon is aligned with Sun and Earth. However, this time, the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth. As a result, we get to see the fully, illuminated side of the moon.
Full Moon and New Moon can be used together for determining the best time to fish on fresh or saltwater.
Professional Bass Masters use Full Moon theory and New Moon Phases to document information they use to increase their odds of catching fish and being successful and more competitive.
Bass bite best during a seven-day period where a new moon is on the fourth day of that week. Bass also aggressively feed during the week of a full moon so fish three days on each side of the full moon. During a 90-minute period surrounding the two major and minor periods. A full moon rises, most of the time, around dusk.
Due to this journey of the moon around Earth, it is positioned in different places. From the earth, the way in which we see how the moon and Sun are positioned in the sky is known as the phases of the moon.
There are different Moon phases such as:
- new moon
- new crescent
- first quarter
- waxing gibbous,
- full moon
- waning gibbous
- last quarter
- and old crescent
The moon does not give off light of its own. It reflects the light from the Sun. As the moon moves around the Earth, we see different parts of the moon’s lighted surface. This is why the moon’s shape appears to change. The moon takes about a month to move around the Earth. These changes in the moon’s shape repeat every month and are called phases of the moon.
What are Major and Minor Moon Phases for Fishing?
Major periods occur when the moon is directly overhead or directly below a reference latitude. Minor periods happen when the moon is positioned 90 degrees on either side. The movements of the earth and moon mean that majors and minors .……………………………………read more
JimGalloway Author/Editor
