Moon phase

[BoatGuy]

Back some basic questions:
Something I want to ask you more experienced fisherman. In this case, I am referring to fluke. But if you have insight to other species, lets open up the discussion.

When planning a fluke trip, do you take the moon phase into consideration? What is your favorite moon phase to fish?

 

[pequa1]

Over the years I used to feel I caught very little on a full moon. then one day I limited IN THE BAY. I more or less ignore it now although the marshes virtually disappear during high tide when viewed from a yak.

 

[PropellerJohnII]

In general, inshore fluking I haven't seen much of a deal on incoming but whoa oft times the drift and tide ripping on the ebb especially near inlets. As far as ocean fluke fishing the moon causes me having to use heavier weights in sinkers /bucktails/jigs. for me that is a bummer as far as fluking fishing. and my general experience personally has been less productive fluking. same deal with ocean bottom fishing and heavier weights. i am a googan when it comes to black fishing but know many bros would not schedule a charter or trip for blackfish on a moon tide if they had the choice. I am positive many gents here could tell u the benefits of fishing the moon for striped bass. and that would be another thread as well. Good luck in 2019.
BTW, my favorite moon phase to fish is when they are biting

 

[BoatGuy]

BTW, my favorite moon phase to fish is when they are biting

HA! I have to agree with that.

I was told by a mentor not to fish the top of a tide (a whole other discussion we could have...Tide and when to fish) and on the full or new moon and a day on each side. Sometimes on the full or new the water is moving and I have to use too much weight to keep my fluke rig down and not scope out. I have a drift sock. Darned if I have even used it.

 

[Avenger]

Since I have so few opportunities to get out on the water, and then there's weather,... I fish any phase of the moon or tide that I can. What I have noticed is we seem to do poorly during spring tides. Particularly on the new moon. But I also suspect the lack of light affects night fishing more. Since that's probably the majority of my fishing my observations may be a little skewed.

 

[PropellerJohnII]

HA! I have to agree with that.

I was told by a mentor not to fish the top of a tide (a whole other discussion we could have...Tide and when to fish) and on the full or new moon and a day on each side. Sometimes on the full or new the water is moving and I have to use too much weight to keep my fluke rig down and not scope out. I have a drift sock. Darned if I have even used it.

I fished with a friend for years on a 27 foot CC and that drift sock made fishing possible when it would not have been otherwise. i have seen other boats throw 5 gallon pail overboard tied to a cleat to improvise as wind sock. they helped in my experience. u can help yourself out fluking when you hit top of tide or slack water or no wind to drift by switching to lighter tackle and bucktailing by fan casting all around boat and working, working your offerings. the fluke will oblige you.

 

[george]

Back some basic questions:
Something I want to ask you more experienced fisherman. In this case, I am referring to fluke. But if you have insight to other species, lets open up the discussion.

When planning a fluke trip, do you take the moon phase into consideration? What is your favorite moon phase to fish?

Moon is the last thing I'm looking at when fluke fishing. I fish the sound and as long as it's not blowing too hard, and I have a good drift going, I'm going to catch.

I only look at the moon when bass fishing or fishing a potentially heavy current sport - like the gut, and in spring and fall, I like it before and after the moon and in the summer months, if I had to choose, I'd fish after the moon.