Moonstruck
Dateline: 03/31/97
Did you see the moon last weekend? Driving to the lake early Sunday morning, it was beautiful setting behind me as I headed east. And to make the show even more impressive, Hale-Bopp was very plain ahead of me.
Do things in the sky affect fish activity? Many people think so. Many old sayings relate the two. For example, have you ever heard "when the sun and the moon are both low in the sky, the fish will be biting?" How about the idea bream and bass bed on the full moon. For years, calendars have been available showing the best days to go fishing based on moon phases
The sun and moon definitely affect tides and all sea creatures life cycles coordinate with it. Inland, in fresh water, fish also seem to follow the same cycles.
T.V. Fishing show host and guide Joe Butcher believes the moon affects fishing. Read his report on The Real Scoop on Moon Phases. A guide in Texas who also believes in fish activity based on moon phases, Butch Terpe offers to base your guide trip on the phase of the moon.
Want to know what the moon phase will be on your next fishing trip. Go to Phases of the Moon, put in the year of your trip and it will show you the moon phase. Like to make long range plans? This works through 2084!
For years I have carried the Solunar Tables from Field and Stream Magazine with me on fishing trips. At times I have seen a correlation between the listed times and fish activity. I have decided I will always go fishing whenever I can but try to be on my best hole when the tables tell me the fish will be biting.
What do you think? Have you ever caught more fish based on the movement of the sun and moon? Give us your report, or for more information, go to the bulletin board or contact me at fishing.guide@about.com. Send me your email address for a newsletter about upcoming features, fishing facts and internet info.
