How Does the Moon Affect Fishing?

Here are some tips for your next outing from JYG PRO

Tidal Influence:

The moon’s gravitational pull is the main driver of tides, causing water in the oceans to rise and fall. These tidal movements play a crucial role in fish behavior. Fish are often more active when tidal currents are present. These currents stir up the seabed, dislodging prey such as small fish and crustaceans, making them more accessible to predators. As a result, fish are more likely to feed during these times. Anglers often find success during these tidal periods, especially around the beginning of a tide, when fish feeding activity is typically at its peak.

Lunar Phases and Light Levels:

The phases of the moon also affect fish feeding habits by influencing the amount of light available at night. During a full moon, when moonlight is brightest, some fish species are more active and feed more aggressively at night because the increased light allows them to see their prey better. In contrast, during a new moon, when the night is darkest, fish may reduce their nighttime feeding or focus their feeding during dawn and dusk, relying on the low light conditions they are accustomed to.

Behavioral Changes:

In addition to feeding, some fish species time their spawning activities with specific lunar phases, often coinciding with the full or new moon. These phases typically bring about the most extreme tides, helping to maximize the dispersal of eggs and larvae, ensuring better survival rates for their offspring. Understanding how the moon affects tides and light can give anglers an edge in predicting fish behavior, leading to more successful fishing trips by targeting times when fish are most likely to be actively feeding. Solunar calendars can also help identifying feeding periods via the major and minor times.