Fishing - Moon & Tides
Understand the solar-lunar cycle & catch more fish
As a recreational sport, the fun of fishing is in the
challenge but most of us usually hope to at least catch 'something' to take
home for supper. If you haven't had much luck perhaps you might need to consider developing a
strategic plan.
Fishing can be carried out virtually at any time you choose,
however, many serious freshwater & saltwater fishermen and boat fishing enthusiasts
pay a lot of attention to the phases of the moon and tides when planning their
fishing trips in order to optimise their catches.
Isn't the effect of the Moon on fishing just an "old wives' tale"?
It's easy to think that. Yet many believe that the phases of
the moon can effect the growth of crops and control the behaviour of all living
creatures. Planting crops at the right time ensured
a success, trees were easier to fell at times when the moon phase supposedly
weakened them, and the full-moon sparked activity of werewolves and vampires. What
do you believe?
In contemporary life we are less likely to have faith in ancient folklore as we have gained a better scientific understanding. We know why the
moon seems to effect certain aspects of life on earth based on factual rather than
pure myth. However, many of us still
rely on the phases of the moon to indicate the best times for certain tidal
water-based activities, and fish behaviour can be predicted by the solar-lunar
cycle, providing good weather and water conditions coincide.
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| Snapper love the full moon |
So how does the moon & tide impact on fish behaviour?
The primary influence of the moon is its gravitational pull
on the earth's oceans causing a bulge towards the moon and as the Earth orbits
around its centre mass, the force of inertia creates a tidal bulge on the
opposite side of its surface as the earth spins around its own axis. These ocean bulges sweep across the Earth's
surface producing fluctuations in sea-levels i.e. the tides. The sun also has a
gravitational drag on the Earth's rotation although being further away it has
less impact.
The revolving moon results in twice daily tidal rhythms with
extra high tides every 14 days when the sun & the moon are aligned with the
earth and are pulling together. This
dictates the best times to be launching a boat and going out on the water and
the tidal rhythms particularly effect fish and other organisms that inhabit the
shallower waters near shore lines.
Smaller bodies of water such as freshwater inland lakes are
less strongly effected by the moon's gravitational pull and successful fishing
in those waterways is often related to choosing the right season, sunlight
hours & overall temperature. Fishing tidal waters, particularly close to
shore lines, can be more successful if moon phases are considered along with
weather and sea conditions, and the seasonal behaviour of near shore fish
species.
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| Evening fishing trip |
So what are the best times to fish?
Basically it's feeding time! It stands to reason that when
the fish are hungry they are more likely to be lured to your hook. Fish feeding
activity increases during incoming (the flow > high tide), slack (the middle)
and outgoing (the ebb > low tide).
The incoming tide allows the shore-line fish species to access food rich
areas that are normally exposed and inaccessible during the low tide. These fish will often congregate prior to the
tidal change which tends to attract their larger predators (the ones we hope to
catch) as they hunt for prey in the tidal channels and gauges.
Positioning yourself where the fish are congregating to feed
on the incoming or exiting with the outgoing tide can lead to some premium
fishing opportunities. The larger predator
fish will also hunt for food during slack-tide and are often caught in channels
as they retreat back to deeper waters with out-going tides. Positioning yourself, as these predators do,
in the right place at the right time can lead to some fantastic fishing action.
The best times are about one hour before until one hour
after the tidal change at the edges of sand flats, beaches, rocks, estuary
entrances and structures. Here you'll expect to find the fish congregating to
feed particularly at the incoming tide.
These rules generally apply to estuary, shore-line, and
near-shore fishing spots. You just need to locate the right spots in your
chosen area by observing fish activity or getting tip-offs from other local
fishers. The further off-shore you go,
species tend not to be as reliant of tidal changes for feeding but more dependant on ocean
currents and opportunity.
Feeding activity tends to increase during Full Moon and New
Moon phases with (higher high-tides & lower low-tides) which have faster
currents. During other phases you get
lower high-tides and higher low-tides with slower currents. Feeding activity is also known to increase at
the beginning of winter and spring and at night-time during summer as fish like
to avoid the day-time heat. Night-time fishing can be very successful during
hot summers.
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| Mulloway on the full moon |
What to do next:
Obtain a tide chart & moon chart for fishing in your
area and be in position at the right time and with the right gear, bait, & lures for the species
you hope to catch. Many keen anglers like to keep a record of the date, time
& location of their catches which can help you plan where and when you can
expect to get the best results. Not many like to share these secrets though so
you might do well to visit to the local fishing tackle shop to get the
low-down. You can also find out about
what gear you'll have the most success with for the area & type of species
you want to fish. Local tackle shops are
usually be able to provide advice on the best locations and seasons for native
species.
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| Early morning fishing trip |
If you don't have access to a boat or fish-finding equipment for off-shore fishing, you could take a charter trip guided by local fishing professionals who will take you to both popular and personal fishing spots whilst providing information and tips for fishing in their area.
Tight lines & fair winds!
Caro
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| Enjoy! |
