Fact or Fiction

[Jimmy]

I came across a interesting article about fishing depending on moon phases. Does anybody fish differently because of the phase of the moon? Here is a link to the article. http://www.joebucher.com/Articles/Article_MoonPhases.asp

[joemomma]

I came across a interesting article about fishing depending on moon phases. Does anybody fish differently because of the phase of the moon? Here is a link to the article. http://www.joebucher.com/Articles/Article_MoonPhases.asp

I do! I try real hard not to fish on a lake, and only a lake, when the moon is full, the buggers feed all night, and don't seem too hungry in the morning! Now brown fishing on certain lakes at night can be crazy!

[fish-on-bend]

Just read the article. He forgot the single most important factor for catching big fish. And we already know this one.........."time on the water." More big fish are caught with more time on the water as compared to "time in camp" or "time in the lazy-boy." :wink:
Can't wait for Jan 1 and the 2 rod rule. 3 guys and 6 rods for macks:excited:
add in the moonrise.......:whistle:

[SilverBullets]

Some of my best days kokanee fishing has been during the full moon phase. In my opinion, it doesn't seem to make a difference with them. Might be that their comfort zone is deeper and feeding habits are different than other fish species.

[hookjawfreak]

I think this author is on the right track. I have been pauing some attention to big trout biting on moon rise/set times. It might seem like I hit a "random" big fish bite in the middle of the day, but it is often in line with a moon rise/set that is happenning mid-day.

I have definately had some of my best trips for big trout on full moons, including my personal best brown shown on my avitar. I fish a lake for browns where it is legal to fish 24 hrs a day and I have never done any good after the normal cut off of legal fishing (1 hr after sunset). In fact, I have talked to guys that have done some good at the lake at night and all have sworn that it is on a new moon that is when to be night fishing for browns. It is cool to be out there by the light of the full moon when you can see quite well all night long, but I've never had a bite.

I, like most of us, plan trips when my schedule allows me to go fishing. I make the best of the weather and moon phase I get when I go. Like Joe said, it is more about putting the time on the water. Sure, it's all about relaxing and whatever gives each person the most satisfaction out of a trip, but for me it is all about catching as many big trout as I can for each trip so I fish dark til dark and I never drive away feeling like I didn't give it my best shot. There have been too many times when my boat puts up the only trophy fish of the weekend when the other guys are taking a lunch break on shore.... The fish eat lunch too, right?

Dan

[Dullhook]

Thanks Jimmy for the very interesting read. Lots of good information there.

During many years of koke fishing I've noticed that one factor that seems to really effect the bite is a sudden change in barometric pressure. When a high pressure system is being established and the prevailing wind shifts from west to east, it can be the kiss of death. Not sure why, but the bite can turn off like a light switch until conditions stabilize. It's just happened too darn many times to be a coincidence. I agree with the other guys about the biggest factor being time on the water. More specifically having the lure in the water. Just get your lure down there and work...work...work! With kokes anyway, they're more likely to be found at a specific depth rather than a specific part of a lake. Seems as though the folks who spend so much time jettin' around the lake searching for the "hot" spot often wind up eating "hot" dogs for supper.

[Queeg]

I keep the moon phase in reserve as an excellent excuse for not catching anything.

[SouthSantiamSlayer]

I've caught some monster Browns and Bull trout very late in the evening on a full moon if that has anything to do with it..