Fishing by the Moon

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

For popular fishing locations around Port Macquarie check out our blog.

Tight lines & fair winds!

Caro

Deep End Fishing

Enjoy!

Fishing - It's not just about catching fish!

 

Fishing - Male Bonding & Rituals

In Australia, as summer approaches we look at fishing and masculine traditions.

Conducting 'men's secret business' or feeling an urge to carry on a tradition by taking your mates or kids fishing?

 

 

What does western culture have to say about male bonding?

Male bonding and friendships tend to develop around shared activities and ambitions, and there are a number of reasons that men's fishing activities align with the classical anthropological concepts of ritual and rites of passage.

Tradition, Rituals & Rites

Traditions and rituals can encourage social cohesion and unity with some having developed from a need to negotiate or mediate social tension.  Often traditions and rituals are used as a means of marking an individual's transition from one status to another, such as coming of age or embarking on something new (new job, getting married, etc.)   A common term used is 'rite of passage' often wrongly referred to as a 'right of passage', it comes from 'rite' meaning 'a ritual of passage'.

Sociologist Victor Turner (1995) theorised 'rite of passage' as a space between the past and existing and future or impending milestones.  The rite presents an opportunity to create, renew and redefine social order and is often used to provide guidance for an individual's development and to help establish an affiliation with or inclusion within a group, community or society. As well as encouraging social relations, rituals can help regulate behaviour and develop identity.  Rituals generally incorporate everyday activities to demonstrate hierarchies, beliefs and values. 

Fishing as a rite of passage activity has been utilised in both ancient and contemporary societies to celebrate important transitions. French sociologist Emile Durkheim described activities such as rituals as serving to promote feelings of collectivism, a sense of belonging and 'bringing together'. Ritual activities can relate to any type of group with a shared focus.  They may consist of symbolic behaviour and forming sacred bonds, fitting in with the general theory of acceptance and socialisation, and are most commonly seen in religious ceremonies.

Bonding

In western cultures, fishing is often utilised as a means of bonding between father & son, friends or colleagues. Fishing was traditionally favoured by men with many being introduced to fishing by their fathers, uncles, brothers or male friends. Taking young people fishing can be an opportunity to introduce new skills, knowledge and inspire a healthy interest that may last a lifetime. For friends and colleagues, fishing provides a tool to celebrate achievements and enhance camaraderie. 

Fishing is often used to embrace gender division whilst part-taking in meaningful and symbolic activity i.e. men being men. Gender division often happens subconsciously, for example, an Australian BBQ where men instinctively take up the tongs and turn the meat whilst the women take care of the accompaniments.  These behaviours embrace the theory of division by adopting arcane gender roles i.e. the male as hunter and female as gatherer.

 

Gender

Gender division is not unhealthy but rather an opportunity for defining typical gender behaviour.  Used in father/son bonding, it allows the younger to identify with their maleness encouraged by the father 'role model'.  It provides an opportunity for parental guidance, discussion, sharing and observation of unique aspects of maleness including: demonstrating emotional and psychological behaviour, understanding moral and physical changes, gender responsibilities, and man's nurturing role as parent.  Learning to be masculine is basically about proving you are 'not female' and the rite of passage activity or ritual helps establish or maintain aspects of this identity.

Health

The valuable process of a rite of passage (separation > transition > reincorporation) has seen fishing adopted as a therapeutic transitioning activity for people with mental health issues and acquired disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorders.  Going fishing with friends or like-minded people can help participants let go of the past and embrace a new or more positive future. 

Organisations such as Wounded Warriors & Project Healing Waters have adopted fishing as a process to allow an adjustment of mindset and separation from negative past and/or present events; encouraging moving across a life threshold; and helping establish either a new identity, status, or make new recreational and social connections.  Involvement in the activity promotes repair, rehabilitation and moving on.

The relaxed nature of fishing and being outdoors in the natural environment can present a form of escapism from the everyday grind and routines of life. This makes recreational fishing activity an extremely valuable and popular solution to achieving a beneficial balance between hectic and healthy lifestyles.


In conclusion, going fishing with family members, friends and colleagues provides an enjoyable and healthful activity that doesn't necessarily end when you pack up the tackle, it continues to discussions around the dinner table whilst enjoying your fish supper, bonding and strengthening relationships and creating long lasting memories.

  

Fishing - The 10 Commandments:

1. Enjoy the challenge of catching fish for your supper;

2. Relax and partake in quality time away from daily environments and routines;

3. Utilise the opportunity to value companionship and friendship whilst sharing a common interest;

4. Maintain or develop relationships focusing on communication and building trust through team effort and goal sharing;

5. Maintain and share fishing knowledge and skills through mentoring or role modelling;

6. Create special memories and stories to share; celebrate achievements and milestones; share your catch;

7. Use fishing to encourage life skills development - concentration; decision making; independence; patience; problem solving; and responsibility;

8.  Connect with the natural environment - appreciate; respect; and share its beauty and benefits;

9. Promote fishing as an alternative recreational pursuit and a healthy lifestyle activity (including fish diet);

10. Educate and maintain awareness in survival skills, water safety, regulations; and the importance of sustaining our waterways and marine environments.

If you are fascinated to find out more about fishing, join one of the many fishing groups on +Google such as https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/110296441810685599858  or join us at Deep End Fishing Charters

Caro
Deep End Fishing Charters
http://www.deependfishingcharters.com

From Port Macquarie, NSW

Links: Project Healing Waters

           Wounded Warriors

Ref:     Anthropology