The Farmer’s Almanac has been in existence since 1457, according to historians. It is a publication that advises the best times to plant garden items and the best times to harvest your crops. Many successful farmers today still enlist the help of this journal, which also revolves around the moon phases each month.
The scientific reasoning behind charting the data includes the moon phases and the zodiac sign the moon is in on a given day. This is also true for the fishing guides in the Farmer’s Almanac, though the data is not sorted by exact location.
The Solunar Forecast & Predictions uses your precise zip code to chart the moon phases for you to increase the size and volume of any type of fish you are seeking in the world. This is a more accurate accounting of planning your fishing trips for the best results.
How Does This Work?
Many anglers have just gone fishing whenever the urge strikes them and at any time of the day. Experienced lake guides and fishermen realize that you always catch more fish when they are feeding at dawn and dusk based on when the sun rises and sets each day. There are more considerations to this idea because feeding increases when the moon rises and sets. You should also take into account that fish are more active around the time of a full moon or a new moon.
Understanding the Moon Phases
The moon looks different at each different phase. This is because the moon doesn’t actually change, but it appears different from your line of sight as the moon orbits the earth.
A new moon is when you can’t see the illuminated portion at all. After the new moon, the sunlit portion is growing, but it is still less than half-illuminated and is a waxing crescent. After the first quarter, the sunlit portion is still increasing and it is over a half moon and is called a waxing gibbous. The next phase is a full moon, after which the light is decreasing to produce the waning gibbous phase. After the third quarter, it is the waning crescent phase, as the light grows smaller until it reaches the new moon phase again. The entire moon’s cycle is approximately 30 days from start to finish.
How Do I Use This Data?
The solunar calendar for a month lists the exact time that the sun rises and sets on a particular day as well as the exact time of moonrise and moonset. The most active times of the day for fish and for catching your limit is around the sun and moon rising or setting. If you cast your line out 45 minutes before or after any of these four event times, you will experience a better catch.
Your chances of catching a lunker are even better when it is close to a full moon or a new moon. When a new moon enters the waxing gibbous stage as it grows and is about 94% full, your fishing rating is good. At 98% full, it is better and is the best at 100% full moon. Your fishing forecast goes from best to good at a 92% waning gibbous and then down to average on the next day. These statistics are true to plan your fishing trip around either a new moon or a full moon.
The moon actually has more influence on fishing than the sun, so if possible it is best to try your luck for the 90 minutes surrounding the moonrise or moonset.
Other Considerations in Moon Phase Fishing
It is best to consult a chart for the moon phases and the sunrise and sunset times each month. When it is very overcast, you may not be able to see the moon because of the clouds.
Weather changes also affect fish. If there is a severe storm coming or one has recently passed, you have the best opportunity possible to combine this event with the moon phases and you should be able to catch all the fish you want. However, if the storm brings with it a cold front, this is not true and the fish will go deeper in the water to stay warmer.
The transition from one season to the next also affects fish. When winter changes to spring and when summer changes to fall are the best yearly seasons to employ all of your information on moon phase fishing.
Whether you are in a fishing tournament and you want to take the top prize of a new bass boat or a big check, or you just want bragging rights for a huge catch, try this system out. You will learn to love the results you get for compiling some data. Happy fishing!
