How influencial is the moon on fishing

[mariner_22]

To fellow Ausfishers

I was just looking for your opinion on how important you think the moon is on fishing particularly offshore fishing. I am asking because i usually book a trip offshore on the new moon but unfortunately i am unable to do the same this year. So i was wondering whether the moon really matters when offshore fishing??????

From Mariner_22

[GTman]

Hi,Mariner_22

I'd love to have scientific figures on the subject! I don't have your answer on the best moon period for offshore fishing but one thing is sure : moon does have a strong influence on fish behavior. I have to admit that I never wrote a diary and made fishing stats but I'm convinced about it!

Actually, my biggest fish were caught late in the evening during full moon. Coincidence or not ?....

Also, as a teacher for a few years, I could experience that 2 or 3 days before and after the full moon, kids could be totally out of control !!! But I found amazing that most of the time, fishing was not so good. :-?

It is commonly said that during full moon, fishing is good at night (at least for predators) as the fish have a better vision of they preys than during full moon nights. On the opposite, fishing is said to be best during the day on new moons. A professional charter would definitevely have things to say.

Untill last year, my very favorite fishing period was the week following the full moon as I had spectacular success several times in a row at this particular period. But recently, I had good results during full moon :-?, while I thought during full moon, the fish were a bit sleepy and lazy.
According to some fishing guides in Africa, behaviours differ from fish to fish, which make things complicated...

One thing I experimented is that just before a cyclone or a large tropical depression, the fish eat a lot and are extremely aggressive:I saw incredible things with bull sharks and GTs mixing each other and fighting to bite my 200 mm poppers while land based fishing during a windy morning, just a few hours before a cyclone in New Caledonia. I saw the same behaviours in similar conditions some other times.

Sorry to make your decision even more complicated, now ! ... ;D ;)

[brentasauros]

I..think..it's..more..the..moon..and..tides..put.. together..but.yes..definately

[stunnedmullet]

From a nth qld estuary pespective I have kept a diary and only seriously fish 4 days leading up to the full moon and 4 days after the new moon. Prerferably an arvy full tide around sundown and strap yourself in.
Especially successful for grunter [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]
The mullet

[mariner_22]

so do you think that during the week leading up to the full moon the increase in tidal flow will increase the activity of the fish??????

I suppose you then have to look at whether that week will have to much current flow to be able to fish for reef species.

Just a thought

[Billo]

The moon controls the tides ......the tides control the water height ...the water height controls the current ...therefor , yes , the moon plays an EXTREMELLY important role in fishing .

The light also plays a role too for the after dark predators

This will affect every species of fish differently, depending on their habits, both bait and predator.

Mariner , current flow moves bait and food ! so there will always be something waiting for what that current brings !
There is no real effect on location , as each location can fire different periods of the moon cycle with different fish .
It is more about adjusting your tactics on that location for the species that would appear through the differnt moon phase

[Volvo]

Speaking from experience over the years, YES!!! Moon does have an effect for the positive..Like Billo sez it has to do with current flow and bait movement but ive found leading up to a full from quarter moon upwards to be the best especially when targeting reds and Grunter, Red jew, black jew etc..
New moon fishes well aslo but during the day tides and have found the new moon night tides to be rather slack where fishing is concerned..
During my younger hunting years i also used to work by the moon and think the effect of the moon also plays a role with Fish /Animal behaviour or feeding activety..
Used to keep a diary and one could notice the drop of in feeding activety or duration of activety during the different tides ey..
Dont be afraid to fish the bigger tidal run, just wait till the run either drops od for you to sink a bait or head for the reef shallows:)..Be surprised what you may catch in couple of meters of water especailly of a night time ey ;)..
For me wind direction also plays a big role:)...Always welcome the nor easters...
Cheers

[mariner_22]

To Volvo

so if i was to chase reds do you think that the week leading to the full moon would be the best time to do it.

[bignick]

Moon by day=fish by day. Moon by night=fish by night. As usual though, there are alway exceptions to this rule and some decent results can still be had when not following this theory.

Cheers,
NICK.

[DAVE_S]

also one thing to note have a look at the moon in relation to the weather i found in 2005 always around full moon we had good weather (light winds ) just by looking at seabreeze things may not have changed in 2006 also check the barometer if its falling not so good if its rising much better have heard it also effects humans in the same way .

[Fishinmishin]

Nick's got it. Fish the moon. On the rise till overhead is even better. Not that I ever pay attention as I gotta fish when work lets me ;).
Cheers, Jay

[Huggy_B]

lots of good replies here so I cant really add anything earth shatteringly new, but I have found that my fishing success has improved dramatically since observing the tides and moon phases. Optimum varies from species to species though so its not a hard and fast rule to follow that you fish the high tide on the new moon etc.