Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

I have a very easy question, does the full moon affect the fishing? If so when.

Thanks David

Airmayle, the full moon does affectr my fishing, it's so hard to cast with them long claws and hair all over my body. Also I tend to howl a lot which spooks the fish. (sorry).
Actually, other than during the spawn I haven't noticed the full moon affecting the fishing much. I do believe that bass spawn the 3 days prior to or after the full moon when the water temeratures reach about 70.
Some night fishermen love to fish during the full moon while other want it pitch black. I prefer the full moon to no moon because it helps me see the net and other important items. During the day, I guess I'd prefer no moon at all. Hope you get some better answers. Johnnie :p

Good question...

There have been arguments about this topic since the dawn of bass fishing. There is proven facts related to the moon and bass, but not many. Like Johnnie said, the full and/or new moon have an impact on when the majority of bass choose to spawn. Glenn Lau has filmed a ritual that female bass go through 3 days prior to the new or full moon as they prepare for spawning. It's kind of strange to watch, but the female bass will be found near wood (like an old stump, log, blow-downs, etc.) and they will begin banging the side of their body against the wood. The reason for this has not been proven as fact, however most people speculate that the bass is trying to loosen the mass of eggs in preparation for the spawn.

Another interesting one is how the moon impacts crawfish. It has been rumored that from 3 days before until 3 days after the full moon, there is a crawfish hatch in lake that have crawfish in them (obviously).

Here is a table that people have used to determine the best and worst fishing days and from what I have experienced when guys have told me that a certain day was supposed to be a good fishing day, it was... Take it with a grain of salt...

I'm a big fan of the moon around the spawn. I think that a full moon triggers waves of fish to get on the beds. After they are done, I do not rely on the moon at all.

Thanks guys. The info helps.

David

Best Fishing Times
There have been numerous books, articles, charts, ect. published on this great mystery of bass fishing. A lot of the authors of these publications go through great lengths explaining how difficult it is to determine these times. It is really quiet simple to determine these times for your self with a little inside information. River and salt water publications go through great lengths explaining how difficult it is to determine tidal movements. The reality is that these best times and tidal movements are related to the moon’s phases.
People in animal husbandry, farming, hunting, and fishing has used the moons phases for centuries. One of the oldest publications giving this information is the "Poor Richard’s Almanac". The moon’s phases are divided into four quarters, two of which are your minor times, and two of which are your major times.
The times for the major periods are as follows
An hour and a half prior the moon reaching its apex
An hour and a half prior to the moon reaching its paragee
The major periods are the first quarter new moon and the third quarter full moon.
The gravitational pull of the sun and moon is three times greater on the new moon than the full moon. At the time of the new moon the earth has the moon and the sun in a straight line pulling together. This first quarter, dark night phase differs from the third quarter full moon phase when the earth moves between the moon and the sun. The new moon dark night is only difficult on the angler because you must rely on your sense of feel when working your bait. If you want to really learn how to fish baits that require a lot of feel like worm or jigs try nights.
The times for the minor periods of these moon phases are as follows
An hour and a half prior to the raising of the moon on the horizon.
An hour and a half prior to the setting of the moon.
Now take into consideration the above listed times you end up with 3 hrs. of major time periods and 3 hrs. of minor times periods. This does not take into account weather, seasons, or your ability to locate fish!