Moon Phases

[PeteyHD]

What moon phase is best for Pelagic fishing? Is there any proven evidence that one phase is better or worse than another? How would a full moon or new moon affect bait and tuna?:confused:

[NJ Dave]

Looking at the harvest moon today I was wondering the same.
I was always told no but some say yess so who knows.
Never really understood the moon thing and fishing but I know it effects the tides and such.
Hoping to get off shore this weekend so I hope ots a good thing for fushing.

[Capt. Lou]

Full & new can be the very best providing ocean is normal & not affected by other conditions during this period!!
Nothings 100% but offshore or inshore, Ive had many of my best catches on the moon !:cool:

[Gerry Zagorski]

My experience in the immediate Sandy Hook area is to avoid the new or full moons. Maybe that has something to do with the area since the tides generally rip more in the Sandy Hook area to begin with. During these moon phases the tides rip even more because the low tides are lower and high tides are higher than normal. A lot more water moving in and out in the same period of time. That makes for a very fast drift and it's harder to keep on the bottom.

[PeteyHD]

My experience in the immediate Sandy Hook area is to avoid the new or full moons. Maybe that has something to do with the area since the tides generally rip more in the Sandy Hook area to begin with. During these moon phases the tides rip even more because the low tides are lower and high tides are higher than normal. A lot more water moving in and out in the same period of time. That makes for a very fast drift and it's harder to keep on the bottom.

I agree with you on this inshore theory Gerry. I understand moon phases have a LOT to do with bottom fishing and I too tend to avoid bottom fishing when its full. But what about offshore canyons for pelagics? Does anyone have any theories or factual evidence on how a full moon can affect tuna fishing? Does the light from the moon attract more bait fish to the surface?

[tunajoe]

I've been tracking this personally since 1986 when I first went offshore fishing with Barry Goldman on the Ol Salty for tuna. When it comes to pelligic's offshore- tuna, etc. I always avoid fishing two days before and two days after a full moon or new moon. Basically, knocking out 6 days of fishing because of the phase of the moon. Often, I have found the current to be too strong when there is a full moon and the chances for wind against tide, lines running to the bow, etc. are greater..in my own humble opinion.

Others swear that full/new moon are the best. The worst trips I have been on are full/new moon. Swords tend to bite better during the full moon, but that's only my experience.

Inshore is a completely different story.
:cool:

[Capt. Lou]

In the late seventies we expirrenced r finest offshore trip prior to chunking taking hold on the moon east of r local canyon with a cach of ; this was for three on a private boat! NE wind about twenty , rough nite with moon shoeing thru clouds !

5 - swords
38 tuna
1 Mako

As far as hook is concerned we always trolled rip when there was a rip & loaded u for several nights before after & durin
g the moon! The only thing that could spoil it was phosphurs in water !
I could go on but don't let a moon phase scare U!
Won mid atlantic on moon as well !:cool:

[togzilla]

Get out there when the weather allows it. I've been tuna fishing since 1993 and have had great trips and lousy trips on all different moon phases. Last year I went out exactly on the full moon and thought the current would be ripping. Never had to fish more than 2 ounces of weight and we crushed the tuna on the chunk. Came in early as we had no more room to pack tuna.

[Capt. Lou]

My experience in the immediate Sandy Hook area is to avoid the new or full moons. Maybe that has something to do with the area since the tides generally rip more in the Sandy Hook area to begin with. During these moon phases the tides rip even more because the low tides are lower and high tides are higher than normal. A lot more water moving in and out in the same period of time. That makes for a very fast drift and it's harder to keep on the bottom.

If u fish a lot of full moons , u'll find some instances the tide is not ripping at all , don't know answer but can happen especially in the deep!
I further believe it stirs bait & gets fish to feed actively when it does rip!

[Joey Dah Fish]

Get out there when the weather allows it. I've been tuna fishing since 1993 and have had great trips and lousy trips on all different moon phases. Last year I went out exactly on the full moon and thought the current would be ripping. Never had to fish more than 2 ounces of weight and we crushed the tuna on the chunk. Came in early as we had no more room to pack tuna.

I with you Zilla. I have had some great Tuna trips on full moons and some stinkers on other moons. I believe the off shore tuna bite on a full or big moon is actually better. Here's my theory. The light you have shining in the water attracts squids. So I believe the bait squids come up to the top on the full and big moons. More bait up top more fish up top. Better fishing. More importantly when ever the winds and seas allow you to get out there this time of year you go!!!! Sept Oct are by far the best time of year for our local canyons.

[PeteyHD]

I agree that you have to just go when you can. I never let the moon phase affect my trip scheduling, but was starting to wonder if I should :cool:

[Capt. Debbie]

I used to, and then stopped the Full moon for tuna. Especially in October.

First trip .. killed on YFT I got 4 on a party boat that must have have 50-60 tuna on board.

The next three October trips on full mooons all sucked! The whole party boat didnt even make 20.

Neeedless to say I stopped targeting October full moons. AT $300-350 a copy .. a very expensive and humbling boat ride.



Full & new can be the very best providing ocean is normal & not affected by other conditions during this period!!
Nothings 100% but offshore or inshore, Ive had many of my best catches on the moon !:cool:

[Capt. Debbie]

The 70's?


In the late seventies we expirrenced r finest offshore trip prior to chunking taking hold on the moon east of r local canyon with a cach of ; this was for three on a private boat! NE wind about twenty , rough nite with moon shoeing thru clouds !

5 - swords
38 tuna
1 Mako

As far as hook is concerned we always trolled rip when there was a rip & loaded u for several nights before after & durin
g the moon! The only thing that could spoil it was phosphurs in water !
I could go on but don't let a moon phase scare U!
Won mid atlantic on moon as well !:cool:

[Capt. Lou]

Mid seventies to mid eighties ! Early canyon runs all troll with the exception of over nite Swordin!
Lots of Big yellows & BE then wolf packs common!
Started in 67 !! Learned from the best Lou Puskas . Ths went on to get us one the largest swords & strate records on BE .
I don't believe any one ever topped that 5 Swords as well ! They were all respectable with 150 to 260 ! Dropped several that nhgt as well , BE' kept taking our deep baits .
Those days canyon on fire !!

[Pennsy Guy]

Just got back from the Gambler 48hr trip with the full moon on Wednesday night..The boat had 22 LFT's(45-65#) & YFT's(80-100+#) plus 2 swordys and mahi and tiles...Personally, I like the full/new moon--just use more lead to get down...I've had some really good trips on all phases and some bad trips, as well...don't think it matters out there...

[tunajoe]

So.... All in all this go around, the full was not so good I guess. 22 tuna for 2 nights with probably 20 or so fishing - but who knows, sounds like the wind change is what really made it difficult. Congrats though. Some fish better than no fish.

[Pennsy Guy]

So.... All in all this go around, the full was not so good I guess. 22 tuna for 2 nights with probably 20 or so fishing - but who knows, sounds like the wind change is what really made it difficult. Congrats though. Some fish better than no fish.

True enough if all were continually at the rail. We had blue dogs off and on a lot, wind was probably kickin' 30 for 4-5 hrs up from 20. Plus we had an inordinate amount of weed the second 24hr & never had any squid or other bait with the weed. All of which will work against you...no matter how hard you try! But that's why it's fishing not catching. Regardless, I still like the moon....There were times when only the hardcore had lines in...not making excuses, just stating facts...to each his own...regardless, wish we could always have tight lines!!

[PeteyHD]

Tides and Tuna are pretty much a crap shoot. Now this storm is approaching the NE canyons and who knows what type of effect it will have on the fish. Maybe it will turn the tuna on....maybe it will drive them to refuge in the deep.

I guess we will never really know how the tide affects these beasts.

[tunajoe]

My guess- who ever gets out before the storm hits will have a very solid outing this week. After the storm???