Big Fish School.com Sun, Moon & Weather Lessons

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SOLUNAR and WEATHER LESSONS

Ever checked a Solunar Table? How about a Tide Chart or Moon Phase Calendar? Ever heard of a Maori Fishing Chart? Does this stuff really work? The answer is yes, but it's not infallible, because Solar periods, moon phases, and moon position are still affected by weather (especially changes in barometric pressure) and other influences on fish behavior that are not yet understood.

Many predatory fish have eyes that adjust to changes in light faster than their prey's eyes. This means that most gamefish know from experience that they can catch baitfish more easily at dawn and dusk, which makes dawn and dusk two key solar periods. Like humans, fish get hungry between these big meals, so they'll feed sometime during mid-day. At noon, when the sun is usually directly overhead, the sun's rays penetrate deeper into the water column than at any other time of day, causing a deep plankton bloom that baitfish feed on. As a result, predators will often attack the baitfish that are distracted by their biggest feeding period of the day, but they often have to go deep to do it. There are therefore usually three major "solar periods," including dawn, dusk and noon. These periods are one of the ingredients in a Solunar Table or Maori Fishing Chart. Anglers who are unfamiliar with these key solar periods may miss out on the best fishing of the day because they may be eating breakfast, lunch or dinner, or they may not know how deep or shallow the fish are most likely to be holding.

Fish, like most wildlife and even humans, are directly influenced by lunar phases and moon position. More than three-fourths of the record gamefish are caught within three days before, three days after, or during a new moon or full moon. The reason is still a mystery, though there are some theories that would probably bore the average reader. We do know that the full moon provides the most night-time light and the new moon provides no moonlight. The important thing is that more and bigger fish can generally be caught just before, just after or during a new moon or full moon. These moon phases are another element in Solunar Tables and Maori Fishing Charts and are a good reason why many anglers buy calendars that show the moon phase.

The moon's gravitational pull creates the tides and also seems to directly affect gamefish appetites. When the moon is overhead, it creates the highest high tide of the day (called a "spring" tide) and for some reason, it makes fish hungry. When the moon is underfoot, it creates the second, slightly lower, high tide of the day (called a "neap" tide) and it also seems to make fish hungry. These moon positions influence freshwater fish as well as ocean fish. Lunar positions are the third key in a Solunar Table or Maori Chart and they are the main reason that many good anglers buy tide charts, even anglers who don't fish in salt water.

Days on or near the key moon phases (usually new or full) are listed on most Solunar Tables and Maori Fishing Charts as good fishing days. The times of day when the moon position (overhead or underfoot) and major solar periods (dawn, dusk, noon, etc.) coincide are called the best fishing times. Days that don't occur on key moon phases and times of day when the solar periods and moon position don't occur at the same time are listed as only fair or poor.

Remember that Solunar Tables, Maori Fishing Charts, Tide Charts and Moon Phase Calendars don't guarantee fishing success. Fish are wild, unpredictable animals and there are other variables that influence their behavior, many of which are difficult or impossible to predict. That's what makes fishing challenging and fun! But there is another factor than can help to predict fish behavior- weather.

Fish are directly influenced by weather, probably at least as much as they are affected by solar periods, moon phases and moon position. Weather is too unpredictable to put on a chart that is published several months in advance. Bright sunlight can bother many species of fish and kill periods of activity or cause fish to take their activity into shaded or deeper water. Many species of fish prefer some cloud cover or haze and are likely to be more active over a greater range of water and to have wider "strike zones" (meaning they will travel farther to attack a lure or bait) on partly cloudy to fully cloudy days. Wind can drive baitfish or insects to the downwind side of a lake and gamefish usually follow. Extreme wind can ruin fishing or make it difficult or dangerous for fishermen to be on or near the water. Another weather pattern that makes a big difference is barometric pressure. When the TV weather forecaster talks about "high pressure" or "low pressure" zones moving in, he or she is talking about barometric pressure. Many cold-water fish species are more active during periods of moderate to low pressure and less active during periods of extremely high pressure. Warm-water species, such as the sunfish family (including the black bass family, bluegill, redears, crappie, rock bass, and others), prefer moderate to high pressure, but usually not extremely high pressure. There are exceptions to these rules, particularly when there is a break in an extended weather pattern. In other words, if it has been very hot for several days, a cooler, cloudier day will help, and if it has been very cold and/or wet for an extended period, many species of fish will become active when there is a warmer, milder day. If you don't want to buy and learn to read a barometer, you can get a pretty good feel for barometric pressure just by walking outside. If it's hot and muggy with very few or no clouds, it's a high-pressure period. If it's getting colder, clouds are moving in, or it's starting to rain or snow, it's a low-pressure period.

Does all this confusing information mean that fish can only be caught during the perfect weather with the perfect moon phase, moon position and sun position? No, but it does mean that fish are the most likely to be the most active at those times. It means that a smart angler will try active-fish techniques first, like using a faster retrieve, brighter colored lures, and/or larger baits. It also means that when the weather, the sun's position, and the moon's phase or position are not ideal, a smart angler will try inactive fishing techniques first, including slower retrieves, natural or subdued colors, and/or smaller baits. Finally, it means that a smart angler will also be ready to try something else if the first thing doesn't work.

To find a good, free, current-month Solunar Table, or to buy an annual Solunar calendar, see the Fishing Links on the School Campus (Home) page.

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