- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Moon Phases For Fishing?
Posted on 5/4/26 at 9:04 am
Posted on 5/4/26 at 9:04 am
What are your preferred moon phases for fishing? Specifically would you prefer the 3 days prior or the 3 days after the full moon or new moon? I've got a Chandeleur trip next Wednesday and it will be the 3 days leading up to the new moon. I expect the fishing to be pretty good as long as the weather cooperates. I'm looking at booking while there for next May but I'm torn on the new moon or full moon for my dates.
This post was edited on 5/4/26 at 9:05 am
12
Posted on 5/4/26 at 9:17 am to Sea Hoss
I hate full moons.
Posted on 5/4/26 at 9:20 am to Sea Hoss
5 days before new/full moon and 2 days after has always been our rule of thumb.
Fish when you can - but that rule seems to help.
In youre case, 5/6 potential days fall within that rage - so i'd say you're good regardless.
Fish when you can - but that rule seems to help.
In youre case, 5/6 potential days fall within that rage - so i'd say you're good regardless.
Posted on 5/4/26 at 9:23 am to reds on reds on reds
quote:
I hate full moons.
For "Stillwaters", you're right. The fish are able to hunt at night with their prey silhouetted against the sky/moon.
Posted on 5/4/26 at 9:27 am to Sea Hoss
Im curious what others say as well. Full moon has big effect on the tide. Fish may feed at night but will also take advantage of the moving water on a falling tide.
Posted on 5/4/26 at 10:35 am to Tig3rman
quote:
moving water on a falling tide.
this man knows 
Posted on 5/4/26 at 10:53 am to Sea Hoss
Waxing Gibbous Phase for this CoonAss...
Posted on 5/4/26 at 10:53 am to Hog Zealot
Im young and still learning lol. Ill be inshore fishing all day may 30th which is a full moon.
Posted on 5/4/26 at 12:08 pm to Sea Hoss
I fish conditions only. Tides, wind, and sat images
In my experience, the new moon has always been the best, followed by full moon. The slack tide during full moon is really slack.
I know this because I'm a 2 Tide Guy
In my experience, the new moon has always been the best, followed by full moon. The slack tide during full moon is really slack.
I know this because I'm a 2 Tide Guy
Posted on 5/4/26 at 1:23 pm to wahoocs
You offshore or inshore?
This post was edited on 5/4/26 at 2:03 pm
Posted on 5/4/26 at 1:29 pm to Sea Hoss
I prefer the few days leading up to full moon but a lot of data for bigger trout that Speckled truth has put together says before a new moon is best, and before the full moon is next best. I do believe moon phases effects the bite but I dont get to fish enough, often enough to draw any real comparisons day to day.
Recent example - I generally don't like the actual day of the full moon but in early April I fished the 3 days before the full moon and did ok one day, really struggled the next, then the morning of the full moon I only had a few hours to fish and crushed them early all on topwater. Seems like during a full moon there is a mid day bite with the assumption they fed all night? I dont know really, I just go when I can and if its good I attribute it to the moon, and if it sucks I also blame it on the moon
In regards to Chandeleur fishing, I've fished with a guide a few times out there and he mentioned on multiple occasions he doesnt book trips after a new moon if he can avoid. Doesnt know why but is always tough.
Recent example - I generally don't like the actual day of the full moon but in early April I fished the 3 days before the full moon and did ok one day, really struggled the next, then the morning of the full moon I only had a few hours to fish and crushed them early all on topwater. Seems like during a full moon there is a mid day bite with the assumption they fed all night? I dont know really, I just go when I can and if its good I attribute it to the moon, and if it sucks I also blame it on the moon
In regards to Chandeleur fishing, I've fished with a guide a few times out there and he mentioned on multiple occasions he doesnt book trips after a new moon if he can avoid. Doesnt know why but is always tough.
This post was edited on 5/4/26 at 1:50 pm
Posted on 5/4/26 at 1:45 pm to Sea Hoss
Tide and wind matter much more to me. I've had some of my best days on "bad moon phase" days but very rarely have I had a good day when the tide sucked.
Posted on 5/4/26 at 2:26 pm to wahoocs
I should have some good data after my trip next week as far as the New moon goes. We will be fishing Thursday, Friday & Saturday. New moon is Saturday. I expect to have good tidal movement with that moon phase.
ETA: I'm leaning towards booking nexy May 17th-19th, Full moon is on the 20th. New moon is on the 5th so you have to book the 2nd-4th and I would rather wait until mid May in hopes of more stable weather pattern and a little warmer water temps. If you don't book this far out you get leftovers...Lol
ETA: I'm leaning towards booking nexy May 17th-19th, Full moon is on the 20th. New moon is on the 5th so you have to book the 2nd-4th and I would rather wait until mid May in hopes of more stable weather pattern and a little warmer water temps. If you don't book this far out you get leftovers...Lol
This post was edited on 5/4/26 at 2:33 pm
Posted on 5/4/26 at 3:06 pm to Sea Hoss
What - no Solunar Table jokes?
Posted on 5/4/26 at 3:28 pm to Sea Hoss
When I retire and can fish any day I want I will pay attention. Until then it’s go regardless of moon phase.
Posted on 5/4/26 at 4:09 pm to reds on reds on reds
quote:
I hate full moons.
I guided freshwater for a very long time. Thousands and thousands of trips. I also kept pretty good records. For that time, at least 90% of the real "Big" fish that were caught on my trips were caught in a period of 3 days before the full moon to 3 days after. That 6-7 day period accounted for the majority of the true trophy fish that were caught on my trips
As for tidal movement for me. I prefer the incoming tide inshore here and for offshore, as long as its moving. Doesnt matter to me which direction
Posted on 5/4/26 at 6:52 pm to Sea Hoss
Fish do what they want.
Posted on 5/5/26 at 9:42 am to Tig3rman
quote:
inshore
Posted on 5/5/26 at 9:53 am to wahoocs
And by inshore, I mean from the coast to barrier islands
Posted on 5/5/26 at 10:14 am to wahoocs
Three or 4 days leading up to the full or new are primo.
Full moon will usually give a big major period in the middle of the day, and that is generally the better bite.
If you fish breton sound or other areas with potentials for heavy current, the full moon in my opinion is a nonstarter because the current runs so hard that you can't fish the rigs effectively. Probably better off in the mrgo rocks or some of the pour-outs in Borgne for those big heavy full moon tide days.
Full moon will usually give a big major period in the middle of the day, and that is generally the better bite.
If you fish breton sound or other areas with potentials for heavy current, the full moon in my opinion is a nonstarter because the current runs so hard that you can't fish the rigs effectively. Probably better off in the mrgo rocks or some of the pour-outs in Borgne for those big heavy full moon tide days.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News