Lunar Considerations

[box]

Hi Larry
I'm sitting here kicking myself for not getting out for moonrise tonight. That said, I'm thinking about going out to hit the major but really need to be awake at work tomorrow so I may have to just dream about fish tonight. I'm wondering how much stock you put in lunar cycles- specifically muskies.
Thanks erik

[dahlberg]

I kept track of it for over 20 years and found that weather was more important in most cases. That being said, when ever a major occurred during a dawn or dusk period it was usually a great time.
Although I do not discount solunar theory at all, in fact Moon Up Moon Down by john alden knight is extremely interesting, I think it's easy for this kind of info to lead an angler down the path of the "self-fullfilling" prophecy.
best,
L

[aka anglinarcher]

Larry, I like how you put that. I have tried for some years to say that at least for fresh water, Lunar is a very minor factor.

I do time my night walleye around the lunar phases, but I am not so sure it is the "lunar" effect, or the light. The walleye may be catchable but I can't see the shore cover.

Other then that, the best time to go fishing is:

1) when I can get on the water
2) after three days of the same weather. Make it low pressure, high pressure, windy, hot, cold, just let me fish the 4th day.
3) See number 1, and then two if nature agrees to help.

[Questor]

I do consider the moon because it tells me a lot about what the tides will be, and what kind of light will be available at night. A lot of people take it too seriously and it reminds me of astrology, but there are good sound reasons for using this and many other signals in the natural world.

There is one indicator that I have found to be very reliable: if I've got the day off and I don't have any important chores. By far the best predictor of good fishing and hunting.

[aka anglinarcher]

Questor wrote:
> I do consider the moon because it tells me a lot about what the tides will
> be, and what kind of light will be available at night. A lot of people take
> it too seriously and it reminds me of astrology, but there are good sound
> reasons for using this and many other signals in the natural world.
>
> There is one indicator that I have found to be very reliable: if I've got
> the day off and I don't have any important chores. By far the best
> predictor of good fishing and hunting.

What does chores have to do with it?