11-01-2009, 07:22 PM
you really believe the moon doesn't effect fishing?
[cool][#0000ff]I have lived long enough that I have learned to NEVER say "never"...or "always". I would be a fool to totally discount the potential effects of the moon on SOME fishing. But, it does not universally have a bad effect on ALL fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I believe that about the only times a full moon adversely affect fishing is when you are fishing for predatory species that feed at night during a full moon and may not be actively feeding the next day, while digesting a big meal from the night before. And, that typically happens a lot more during the warmer months of summer when prey species and insect food sources are more abundant and more active too. It also usually happens in clear water lakes where the fish are sight feeders and can feed at night with their customary vision.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]This time of year, when the water is cold and the food and forage are less abundant, fish are not as liable to be glutted during the day after a full moon. And, most species are more active this time of year as they forage to fatten up for winter.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have deliberately scheduled fishing trips on all of the major Utah Lakes during full moon periods this past year. Many of my best trips have included a humorous reference to being "mooned"...and that I could not have handled any more action so I was glad the full moon gave me a break.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I feel sorry for folks who fish only by moon cycles or by the "so-looney" tables. I find it laughable that someone can put together a table of numbers that will apply universally to all anglers, all waters and all species. There are so many variables in all categories that it is impossible to even try to do something like that for ONE LAKE...much less across the nation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The best time to go fishing is whenever you can get away. And, if you find yourself not catching much, change your tactics, tackle and offerings until you find a pattern that works. I have countless experiences around the country when a lake or stream seemed barren of fish...to most anglers...but somebody comes to the dock with a great report and the fish to prove it. THEY found them, and no matter how bad things are, somebody will figure out a way to catch the fish. Might as well be you.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yes, the moon does affect fish. But it can affect them positively as much as negatively. This is especially true in the spring, when many species spawn. Quite a few fish time their peak spawning around the two or three days surrounding a full moon period. Knowledgeable anglers for specific species target their trips around the full moon either for spawning activity or post spawn feeding. But, that is about night fishing. The next day might be quite a different story.[/#0000ff]
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[cool][#0000ff]I have lived long enough that I have learned to NEVER say "never"...or "always". I would be a fool to totally discount the potential effects of the moon on SOME fishing. But, it does not universally have a bad effect on ALL fishing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I believe that about the only times a full moon adversely affect fishing is when you are fishing for predatory species that feed at night during a full moon and may not be actively feeding the next day, while digesting a big meal from the night before. And, that typically happens a lot more during the warmer months of summer when prey species and insect food sources are more abundant and more active too. It also usually happens in clear water lakes where the fish are sight feeders and can feed at night with their customary vision.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]This time of year, when the water is cold and the food and forage are less abundant, fish are not as liable to be glutted during the day after a full moon. And, most species are more active this time of year as they forage to fatten up for winter.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have deliberately scheduled fishing trips on all of the major Utah Lakes during full moon periods this past year. Many of my best trips have included a humorous reference to being "mooned"...and that I could not have handled any more action so I was glad the full moon gave me a break.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I feel sorry for folks who fish only by moon cycles or by the "so-looney" tables. I find it laughable that someone can put together a table of numbers that will apply universally to all anglers, all waters and all species. There are so many variables in all categories that it is impossible to even try to do something like that for ONE LAKE...much less across the nation.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The best time to go fishing is whenever you can get away. And, if you find yourself not catching much, change your tactics, tackle and offerings until you find a pattern that works. I have countless experiences around the country when a lake or stream seemed barren of fish...to most anglers...but somebody comes to the dock with a great report and the fish to prove it. THEY found them, and no matter how bad things are, somebody will figure out a way to catch the fish. Might as well be you.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Yes, the moon does affect fish. But it can affect them positively as much as negatively. This is especially true in the spring, when many species spawn. Quite a few fish time their peak spawning around the two or three days surrounding a full moon period. Knowledgeable anglers for specific species target their trips around the full moon either for spawning activity or post spawn feeding. But, that is about night fishing. The next day might be quite a different story.[/#0000ff]
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