Moon Phases - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

PeteyHD · #1 10-09-2014, 11:42 AM

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?

NJ Dave · #2 10-09-2014, 12:04 PM

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 · #3 10-09-2014, 12:10 PM

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 !

Gerry Zagorski · #4 10-09-2014, 12:26 PM

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 · #5 10-09-2014, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · #6 10-09-2014, 02:16 PM

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.

Capt. Lou · #7 10-09-2014, 02:57 PM

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 !

togzilla · #8 10-09-2014, 03:56 PM

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 · #9 10-09-2014, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · #10 10-09-2014, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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.