Effect of the Full Moon. . .

[cchobot]

What lures/techniques have you found effective in dealing with the full moon?

How much do you think cloud cover helps on a full moon?

[Frightnight]

First, let me say thank you for the info you sent me about fishing in New Brunswick, Canada. It was very helpful. I went fishing the full moon last night, 9/7/06. I went out at 6:30 p.m. and di not return for 12 hours until 7:00 a.m. this morning. Loved the full moon, was easy to see. Used some pogie, caught an 8 pond blue, two small bass, and one bass 34" long, and 14 pounds. Did catch one small bass on a plug, but that was under a big light, and the were jumping after small peanut bunker. Went for the plug at that spot, but would not touch the pogie there. Was in the middle of the bay then, but caught the big one and others at the mouth of the bay. Considering how long I was out, it was pretty slow. P.s., I was in a boat.

[Pete_G]

I have fished many full or near full moon nights with cloud cover, and only on a few was there an obvious increase in activity if the moon slipped behind the clouds.

For the most part, I don't think it's even the light of the moon that changes the way fish behave during the moon. It's something else but I have no idea what.

[Frightnight]

Moon light effects the fish in a bad way? Should I not fish the full moon?

[Pete_G]

Most striper fisherman, if they have a choice, prefer a moonless night.

It's not so much that you can't catch or shouldn't go under a full moon but don't be surprised if you encounter tough fishing. I often shift to eels when the moon is around. There's nothing like an eel and I always feel like I need all the help I can get around a full moon.

I'm a big believer in that when you can go, you go. Epic events in the fishing world don't always go on for more then a day, sometimes it's far less then that. You'll either be there or you'll be reading about it on a website or in the paper days later.

Victory favors the bold, and those who go fishing a lot.

[NoChunkin]

I'm a big believer in that when you can go, you go. Epic events in the fishing world don't always go on for more then a day, sometimes it's far less then that. You'll either be there or you'll be reading about it on a website or in the paper days later

.

Pete couldn't be more correct on that. Hey, we love to fish...and along with that is our yearn to learn. Learning should happen EVERY SINGLE TIME WE GO OUT. If you come back from a trip and didn't learn anything...your increasing your chances of getting sprayed by THE SHUNK...and that's no fun. Unless of course your intention is to just go fish, BS with your crew, and not care if a fish comes up the sandor not. That's fine too and I do that deal also.

To any beginners.... get out there and don't get to caught up on the moon.

As far as the moon goes. yes moonless nights make stripers less skittish and more apt to come in close. Under the cover of darkness, the need for the sanctuary of deep water is reduced. This goes for bait too.
On bright nites...I found that fishing shadows, be it from pilings, rocks in or out of the water or the dunes or structures behind you, provide some great ambush points for predator and prey to use. The same goes for artificial light too. There are shadow lines all over the place but you have to look. Hint----> shadow lines that coincide with the first wave are one of my favorites...Look and you shall find, they are there and some are subtle.

I find cloud cover to be better. I must say that what is more important to me as far as a full or new moon is the increase of current flow. It's spot specific and some adjustments must be made as far as timing the tide stage but in general, I like current and an increase in it could help some places, could hurt others that already have a strong flow, and puts fish in places differently than other stages. Trial and error will show you where you can use the moon to your advantage.

[nofish]

I've never cleaned up on a full moon but have caught fish with cloud cover on a full moon. Too light is just no good generally speaking anyway.

[Frightnight]

I have asked that question, and people have always given a middle of the road answer. Thanks for the clear answer. Now, you say too light is never good. Is that at night, like moonlight and so on? What about the fishing during the daylight hours? I understand that it is better to fish at night, but are you saying to not fish during daylight at all?

[nofish]

The daytime bite is starting up now but it's always been a nightime game.

[Frightnight]

Thanks for the info. Unfortuanetly I have been out day and night and still not catching anything.