Prime Fishing Times

Theory

Do solunar tables actually work? That all depends on your definition of solunar. Solunar means pertaining to the rising and setting times of the sun and the moon, the phases of the moon, and of solar and lunar eclipses. So in a sense solunar tables contain the information necessary for predicting the best time to fish. But if you're going to depend on the major and minor solunar periods listed in a chart, be prepared to be disappointed.

There are basically only five factors necessary to predict the best time to fish. Three of them would be considered solunar events, and the other two involve the weather, and if you're on the coast, the tides. They are:

• Sunrise/Sunset Time
• Moonrise/Moonset Time
• Full Moon/New Moon Time
• Tidal Flow
• Weather

Having all this information available is one thing. Knowing what to do with it is another. So what exactly is the secret to predicting the best time to fish? It's pretty simple actually.

It should be obvious that fishing around sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are usually good times to be out fishing. When two of these events occur close to the same time, like a few days before through a few days after a full moon or new moon, the fishing is usually even better. So you can pretty much ignore the major and minor solunar periods and just fish a 90 minute window around sunrise, sunset, moonrise, or moonset. If you want to improve your odds of catching more fish (and likely bigger fish) then fish around sunrise and sunset from two days before through three to five days after a full moon or new moon.

Now what about the tides? It's no secret that the tides move the bait, and the big fish follow the bait. A nice, fast incomming tide is almost always a good time to be out fishing. The beginning of an outgoing tide is usually pretty good too. But big fish like deep water, and the fishing usually tapers off around low tide. When you have a nice moving tide around sunrise, sunset, moonrise, or moonset, then you can bet things will be even better.

Finally, remember the weather always plays a role in fishing. Unfortunately, various species of fish in different locations react differently to weather patterns. For instance, here in Galveston, TX, the flounder always become active whenever a cold front comes through. When a low pressure system moves through, the bait always seems to move onto the beaches. On days like that you can usually catch some nice bull reds in the surf. But every place is different, and each species reacts differently to the weather.

There is an old saying that goes, "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you'll feed him for a lifetime." I'd like to add, "Teach him when to fish, and he'll be a happy fisherman." Now go and catch more fish!