Night Fishing and Moon phases

paulboroman · Post by **paulboroman** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:25 pm

Hey fellas, I know this topic has been discussed several times on the board, but what's the consensus on moon phases and night fishing? I'm finally getting my boat and gear together to night fish this weekend at Berryessa and didn't realize it's almost a full moon that's gonna be up almost the whole night. I'd imagine I should try to fish the shady side of rocks etc w/ big worms, jigs etc, but what about it's effect on fishing reaction baits at night like black blades, cranks, topwater, and even swimbaits?

Thanks,

Paul

bassindon69 · Post by **bassindon69** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:11 pm

ANY lure can work at night too.

Don.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:13 pm

Hey Paul, hope you arent planning on launching out of Capell.

IMHO, the moon does the same thing to bass as a bright sun does; fish accordingly. If I can help it I never fish at night near the full moon. The best for me is around the new moon. Regardless of what phase moon I fish, key times are when the moon is rising or setting. During these brief times Im always on my best spots.

paulboroman · Post by **paulboroman** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:48 pm

Don and Steve- thanks for insight on the moon phases, I've only been out in lower moons and just fished plastics...the last time the moon set around midnight and it was pitch black, couldn't see a dam thing but jumping line! I was almost thinking about waiting till next good moon phase , but it's first time I'll have a chance to nightfish my own much smaller boat, so I'm figuring that I'll sacrifice better fishing for a little more visibility while I figure it out and try not to break a rod this time! I'm staying at Monticello to try and avoid too much crowd and probably just fish around there and look for some spots with a little moon-shade!

Thanks again,

Paul

Leroy_B · Post by **Leroy_B** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:39 pm

Im going out fri night. Im of the opinion that the full moon gets the fish more active during the night, hence poor daytime bites during the day after the full moon. Nevertheless, at least with the full moon you will be able to see better at night. With all the summer boat traffic, the fish tend to loosen up after dark. Either way, should be fun. Good luck.

Leroy

R watts · Post by **R watts** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:56 am

My fishing partner and I went last night in the Delta, we started around 6:30 pm and left Russo's at about 1:30. It was almost a full moon and we had a great night. We threw jigs, drop shot and some top water. I had one that was 8 even and Matt had a 9 on a black jig with a full size BH trailer. We caught fish all night and for the best five had 28lbs. What a great place to fish night or day.

I don't think you will have any trouble with the full moon. I would definately throw a jig at berry and work some of the main lake points around the entrance to putah and just north of there on some of the little islands and big points. Good luck

paulboroman · Post by **paulboroman** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 10:46 am

thanks for the encouraging report, that a good sack of fish!Unfortunately, I'm fishing a "customized" 12' aluminum, so the Delta is out of my league! Putah will also be out of reach, but there's some big main lake points and islands near Monticello that fish well by day, so I'm hoping might attract some size at night. I'm gonna try to stick to the big bite plan with big jigs, a MS slammer waker, and maybe a big dual black buzzbait or black jitterbug...how did you guys do on the topwater at night?

Larry Hemphill · Post by **Larry Hemphill** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:00 pm

In the moonlight and if water is clear, try black/chartreuse worms. Dip a 10" black Power worm in chartreuse dye! If fishing the dark of the moon go with bulky baits that move a lot of water - brush hogs, etc. Spinnerbaits and big crankbaits are excellent in the dark of the moon. You are going to have to find shadows to catch large bass during a full-moon period - even in slightly dingy water. Good luck!