| I know what you're thinking..."Better put on the hip | | | | Aside from the monthly phases of the moon, |
| waders, and not just because we're going fishing!" | | | | there is also a daily lunar effect on fish feeding |
| Believe it or not, the moon has far more to do | | | | habits. Moonrise and moonset appear to be very |
| with catching fish than you might think. Bear with | | | | good times to go fishing, if other factors like the |
| me for a minute, try to keep an open mind, and I | | | | weather are cooperative. Studies show that fish |
| will show you a secret that most people don't | | | | are more active 90 minutes before and after |
| know about. | | | | either the moonrise or moonset. Given this, you |
| The fact is, the moon really does have a direct | | | | now know when is a good time to go fishing, |
| impact on the number of fish you catch and the | | | | provided it fits your schedule! |
| size of those fish. The reason is that the | | | | Now, the fishing magazines and sites around the |
| gravitational pull of the moon on the earth affects | | | | Internet will have you believe that the relationship |
| the places and the timing of fish feeding patterns, | | | | between solar/lunar cycles and fishing is much |
| and in fact almost every animal that is not a | | | | more complex than I have explained here. In |
| primate. Fish are particularly susceptible to the | | | | reality it's not. In fact, if you try to follow most |
| gravitational effects of the moon because of the | | | | of the charts out there, you will find no direct |
| differing heights of the tides. When you think | | | | correlation between those charts and the number |
| about, the moon has a direct effect on the entire | | | | and size of fish you catch. |
| environment in which fish live! | | | | So, the next time you're planning a big fishing trip, |
| So, what exactly are those effects, you might | | | | make sure you know when the moon sets and |
| ask? During the monthly new moon and full moon | | | | rises for that day and plan around it. You will find |
| phases, all other factors being the same, you will | | | | your fishing experience a much more rewarding |
| catch more and bigger fish. This remains true for | | | | one for having that bit of knowledge. I promise! |
| about 2 days on either side of the peak phases. | | | | |