Hey guys

I have a question. I live in Austin and really don't have enough free weekends to just pick and choose when I can take a trip to the coast. I generally just have to go when a weekend opens up.

Having said this I see that my next free weekend (Feb 17) is shown as a bad fishing weekend when viewing a fishing times chart as the moon phase is not ideal.

I really want to maximise the few trips I take and I am curious to ask those that fish more than me.....

Is it worth replanning a trip when the weather is good, but when the moon phase isn't, or is it just not that big a deal.

Thanks for the input.

Sean

I dont.
I tried to consider the Solunar calendar along with my fishing trips. But it often did not work as anticipated.

The days the Solunar calendar said were going to be good, turned out to be bad.
The days the Solunar calendar said were going to be bad, were very outstanding.

When it comes to Saltwater fishing, the 2 biggest factors IMO are the following: Weather and Tides

+1

Solunar tables are kinda like astrology. Entertaining, but I wouldn't make plans around them unless you're after a particular species that associates with a certain lunar phase (e.g. California grunion)

My experience with the solunar calendar has been the same as AdanV. Not very dependable. However, I have noticed that my success rate drops dramatically during full moon phases, when fishing days. I do believe that moon phases have a great deal to do with tidal flow or strength. My most successful days have occurred by being at the right spot at prime tidal flow. A good example of this happened years ago while wading for flounder on the flats side of Sea Wolf Park. I had fished from sun up till 2 and only had 2 flounder on the stringer. Water was very muddy with no movement. I was exiting the water when I saw 3 asian guys with their fishing gear running towards me down the beach. When I say running I mean running. I jokingly asked " wheres the fire"? There only response was " tide come, tide come".I look back toward the pier and a see a blue line of water. So I think they must know what they were talking about. Tide come. My next thought was that I'm not silly enough to start running down the beach following these guys. I hate to look stupid when I'm fishing....... so as I'm RUNNING down the beach I'm thinking these guy's are really fast. I catch up to them and follow them into the water as the blue line is getting closer. As soon as that line washes past us , we all hook up with flounder. We followed and fish that line back to where I exited the water when I saw those guy's and I picked up an additional 10 flounder in the process. Since that day I have been a firm believer in fishing incoming tides. Now whenever I hear someone say something about a tide coming, I have this strange and strong desire to start running. If I'm getting long winded, I apologize. I am actually off work for at least about a week due to a nasty table saw accident at work. So if I seem corny, it's not really me, it's probably the Hydrocodone. But the story is very true. Baldy Locks.

Really depends on where you are as to what difference it really makes. Passes, tide cuts, channels into and out of bay to gulf will be greatly influenced by tidal movement, either way.

1/4 mile across 3" of water to get into a back lake, those fish don't know what a tide is....

That is good to hear. I really appreciate the advice. I will not worry too much about the lunar calendar then.

Another question.

In order to fish the incoming tide, should I be out there a little before high tide? Is that the period that the water is moving the most? Thanks.

Sean

I like it best when it's starting to move..not when it's ending.

Yup, me too.
But any moving water as long as it's not too fast, is good.

Depends on the species and the time of year. Mostly I go on weather and first and last light. I keep an eye on tide but don't plan trips around them, my thinking is the only way to know if they'll be there or not is to go. It has paid off. Moving water helps a lot though.

I agree with "OldFrog".

I'll disagree with this. As it pertains to my fishing, kayaking in a marsh, the tide can't go out fast enough and I mostly only go on days when the tide is scheduled for a quick and dramatic drop (steep curve on tide chart).

Winds and Tides are the two biggest factors.

I've started paying a little more attention to the moon rise and set times rather than the phase of the moon. Tie this in with good incoming \outgoing tides and the fishing just seems to be a lot better. I would rather fish the outgoing tides as it seems to pull the fish back to the drop-offs where they can catch all the bait moving out with the water.

x2 and i've seen some consistency with moon above and underfoot. I don't use the calendar per say.. just major minor feed times... and I use it as a tool... it's not an exact science... tide/current (both wind and sun/moon) are still primary.

Fish when you can, life is too short

But if you insist on fishing by moon phase
here is a link

Fishing By Moon Phase: Increase your catch!

I have found that fishing on the new moon phase can mean more fish if fishing for tuna and such. Out near the floaters can be the only light available which does attract bait fish .Find the bait and you more than likely find the fish.

The toughest catching for me in regards to moon phase, is the next 2 or 3 days after a full moon. However I would never cancel a trip because of moon phase. If the weather is good by all means hit the water. In the winter I think the most important factor is to find the bait. I do believe a moving tide may get the bait moving, making it easier to find the bait.

i think it more pertains to saltwater fishing you have more tide movement around a full moon ive found. as we know tide movement is key for fishing especially for us lowly bank and shore fisherman.

to the forum!
IF you try to match the tides, temperatures, current, wind speed, day or night, red tide, jelly fish AND moon phase, even if all was a perfect match, you'd only be going fishing once in a BLUE MOON!!! Just go fishin' and enjoy your day out. After all, the fish don't read all that stuff and even if they did when in school, the only fish you will be catching are the drop-outs anyway .

I Do. Depends on what you are fishing for. If you are fishing the Black Drum spawn the moon is absolutely key. I dont miss a full moon in march, caught 11 drum over 30 pounds in one night, my buddy i was fishing with caught 8 over 30, even put my girlfriend on a few. Biggest drum was 65...With the full moon comes stronger currents if you can find a deep channel usually where the lakes feed out into the bay you will find the fish. I prefer the outgoing tide and will sometimes wait till 2-3am to start fishing.