Lunar Phases / Tides & Kokanee Feeding Times

[Fourteen]

After fishing Merwin Lake the last couple of seasons I am convinced that there are times when the Kokanee bite was on . There is a gentlemen in CA who sold charts called " fishing the average tide " that noted what time the fish would be biting the best . He has since passed on and no longer produces these . Has anyone ever done any comparing of Kokanee feeding times to the phases of the moon ?

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

I try to gage my fishing time away from work based on the solunar tables printed in most of the better fishing magazines. I really don't know if it makes a difference or not because I have to pick when I can be on the water. Someone who spends days on end fishing might want to add their 2 cents based on their own comparisons? I'm interested as well as Fourteen.

 

[SilverBullets]

I carried the solunar table chart when I first got into kokanee fishing. It showed the peak fishing times throughout the day. After a few years I came to the conclusion it wasn't worth the bother (at least where I fish for kokes.) There were some days where you could set your watch by the time it showed for when the bite went on and off, but the majority of the time that was not the case. It's interesting to check the table while your out on the water, but I wouldn't plan my day by it. As far as moon phases go, I've had some of my best days koke fishing during a full moon. After targeting kokanee every week throughout the season for the last 8 years, I've seen definite bite times fairly consistant at sunrise, 10am, and 1pm.

 

[Fallriverguy]

SB, I too have not noticed a correlation yet with moon phase. But, like you, have had some banner days fishing under a full moon. My GPS has a best time to hunt and fish. It never seems accurate. I have also noticed a fairly consistent 10 and 2 bite. I know the fishing will be slow if those do not occur. A falling barometric pressure seems to be a bite killer. It does not seem to matter if the pressure is high or low as long as it is consistent.

 

[SilverBullets]

From the book "Trolling Truths" by Sep Hendrickson...

Generally, the period three days before a new moon and up to seven days afterward seems to produce the best action. We try to plan our trips accordingly with the use of a moon-phase calendar. To the contrary however, we have had phenomenal fishing success during bright moon periods. How do you figure? Overall, there is certainly a correlation between a new moon and good fishing, but these periods too, are affected by fluctuating barometric pressure conditions. Certainly, variables such as these, plus cloudy skies and wind, have to be dealt with. Alone, or in combination, each will have an impact on angling success.
The single most important factor deciding the fate of a day of fishing, is the CHANGE IN BAROMETRIC PRESSURE. Rapidly changing barometric pressure often puts fish off the bite. Dropping barometric pressure signals a weather change or the arrival of a storm front. Rising pressure indicates the onset of high pressure or clearing weather. Let the pressure settle down and stabilize for a couple days in a row, and angling becomes far more productive.

 

[Bduck]

From the book "Trolling Truths" by Sep Hendrickson...

Generally, the period three days before a new moon and up to seven days afterward seems to produce the best action. We try to plan our trips accordingly with the use of a moon-phase calendar. To the contrary however, we have had phenomenal fishing success during bright moon periods. How do you figure? Overall, there is certainly a correlation between a new moon and good fishing, but these periods too, are affected by fluctuating barometric pressure conditions. Certainly, variables such as these, plus cloudy skies and wind, have to be dealt with. Alone, or in combination, each will have an impact on angling success.
The single most important factor deciding the fate of a day of fishing, is the CHANGE IN BAROMETRIC PRESSURE. Rapidly changing barometric pressure often puts fish off the bite. Dropping barometric pressure signals a weather change or the arrival of a storm front. Rising pressure indicates the onset of high pressure or clearing weather. Let the pressure settle down and stabilize for a couple days in a row, and angling becomes far more productive.

Now you have Blue Moon special going on this month. Good time to plan. tooexcited

 

[niteskies]

I am a big believer in the best time to go fishing is:
.
.
.
When every you can!thumbsup

As was already mentioned if I am looking at scheduling a fishing trip I will look at a solar/lunar fishing calendar, but it is about the third or fourth item I take into consideration. My schedule, weather forecast, recent fishing reports all have more impact on when I fish. For instance this weekend most probably Saturday I will go ice fishing. I will take a look at a couple of the fishing calendars but no matter what they say I'll still go.

niteskies

 

[Kokonuts]

Feeding Time

Like most of you I check the soular & tides BUT I found that I just fish when & where as much as Possible and let it go at that! Besides I just love being out on the water on a quiet Lake!!

thumbsup...Kokonuts....

 

[SuperD]

I scheduled my Gorge trip this summer by it but don't have that luxary, like most of you, during the week to week fishing. What will retirement be like when you can pick and choose when you want to go fishing by ideal conditions?

 

[jzell]

Merwin is a little too far up the NF Lewis to be effected by the tide changes in the Columbia....rolleyes:

And there is the problem of the dam.

jz