FULL MOON?

[Shore Hunter]

I have heard a lot about the full moon having an effect on bass behavior. I always see the astro tables in the fishing magazines pointing out the best days to fish. I have been told that two days before and two days after a full moon are the best times to fish. I am still unsure if the moon does really effect the fishing. Should I not go fishing on a full moon because the fish will not be active?
What are your thoughts on the whole full moon hype?

[jazzwannabe]

I don't understand it all, but a guide told me there are times when lunar/solar phase matters and times when it doesn't, depending on the water conditions — pH, thermocline, etc.

[acm95301]

How much it affects is clearly arguable, but in the book ,"In Pursuit of Giant Bass", by Bill Murphy a renowned trophy bass fisherman the moon does. But he likes quater moons best...3/4 being his favorite.

I think at the very least it may effect when and where fish might eat. If there is no moon= no light. so maybe baitfish cling to shore if there is no light. I know when I use a light nightfishing...its purpose is to attract the plankton/zooplankton that the baitfish then eat....so likely the moon does the same over a spread out area.

[Chaozu]

Big full moon means big black wakebaits!

[Oldschool]

The lunar month is 28 nights, the full moon 5 nights; 1 full moon and the 2 moons before and after. Factors to consider; increased light and gravitational pull. Bass being a sight feeder the increased night time light gives them an advantage. Nearly everything living on earth is affected in some way be gravity; increased gravitational pull affects the tides and usually increases the natural activity level in predators.
The moon phase has it's greatest affect when the bass are moving up in shallower water during the pre spawn and spawning periods and during summer nights. Tidal waters are affected year around by lunar phases.
Tom

[offduty]

I'd have to say the moon affects all the living creatures including the bass. The E.R is usually nuts on a full moon and the best fishing times are often during high tide at lakes just due to gravitational pull. The coyotes usually go off on the ranch I live on during a full moon and spawning cycles are affected by the moon as well. The moon signals a lot of creatures to do different things.

As many variables that can affect bass fishing can make it hard to tell sometimes and there will be days when you can do great when you do not have what seem like favorable conditions.

I would have to say do not let moon phases and rain, wind, barometric pressure and approaching cold fronts keep you off the water. Time on the water as a student of nature and fishing is the greatest asset you can have. Its all about putting a pattern together and knowing when to abandon it and try something else.

I guess that is why I have to have so much tackle, wow when I got in to this sport I thought I'll buy the boat and lures are cheap. Wrong I got enough **** for 4 tournament guys and cant keep off the water.

Peace Rich

[brambo0311]

I will be a little less technical. Full moon means I can run at 3 am and see my top water get slammed.

I'm sure the gravitational pull and the astrological sign of the bass is super importain, but I could care less. Go catch some fish.

[Larry Hemphill]

I have written several articles on night fishing and the effects of the moon. In a nutshell, assuming the water is reasonably clear, bass will roam more and can be found around a variety of structures during dark moon periods. And they can be found in very shallow water. During bright moon periods - especially in the winter (moon straight up), bass will usually seek shaded or dark areas. One needs to pay attention more to structure that provides shadows such as docks, walls, rock formations, weed and tulle edges, and so on. I and my clients have caught 10+ lb bass in every moon phase during every month of the year. Two of my best nights were during the last quarter of the moon when many believe it difficult to catch monster bass. R.C. Stephens (of Clearlake Oaks) and I caught a 43 lb limit (two 10 1/2's) at Clear Lake during the night of the last quarter. My biggest from Amador - over 14 lbs was caught also on the night of the last quarter. The more I night fish, the more I realize that local conditions - weather, etc, trump moon phases or solunar tables. Just my opinion!

[Oldschool]

Larry, while I agree with you that the moon phase is just 1 factor of many others, it is a factor. The diference between the full moon and the last quarter is about 36 hours or a day and half; 6 1/2 days/nights per qtr.
The key to catching big bass is activity levels and the moon directly affects activity during pre spawn & spawn. Only time on each individaul lake can determine the best activity /feeding times.
Should you plan you fishing around the moon? You should fish whenever you can to determine the lakes rythym, if the moon phase fits, then consider it.
Personally I have never caught a giant bass over 15 lbs at night, all my giants over 15 lbs are day time bass, low light/cloudy....within a few days of the full moon.
Tom

[FROGvsBASS]

I've always had pretty good bites on a full moon...none of these DDs yet!