Fishing reading the moon?

There are two ways the moon affects the fishing. The main one is the tides (and associated currents) which are driven by the moon. When the moon is full or new, the tides and currents tend to be stronger, and for most fish, the more the water is moving, the better they will bite. (When fishing nearshore, you'll generally have better bites on incoming or outgoing tides because of the water movement. When the tide is all the way in or out, the bite will be slower.)

The other factor is the light from the moon, especially the full moon, which allows fish to feed at night. This can affect both saltwater and freshwater fish.

Time of day matters for some fish, but not all. Sunrise and sunset are good for some species (white seabass off California is a good example of this); on the other hand, I've done best on bluefin tuna in the afternoons. Many fish shut down in the dark, while others seem to only come out at night.

But nothing in fishing is absolute. I've had good bites in slack water, quarter moon, etc. Factors like water temperature and clarity, presence of forage (baitfish), the season, and so on probably matter as much or more.

Jason, I fish pretty much just salt water. About the only thing I've noticed is that some species of fish feed at night, so if the moon is full or near full, the day bite may not be as good. Tides are higher and lower during full and new moons so you get more water movement on rising and falling tides during those periods. This is especially meaningful for backwater, bay, fishing. Fish are more active with good water movement. There are many other factors that may affect the fishing but the above is a general rule that I've found to hold true for me.

I think GO and Peter covered the Q well- TU's.

Just wanted to add:

It's a fact- Freshwater lake fishing does pick up during the Full Moon period. (More trophy sized Bass are caught 3 days before and after the full moon than any other time)

Science suggests that (not only do Freshwater fish living in lakes tend to feed due to moonlight, but) they inherently "feel" the pull of the moon and this pull mimics the natural tides in Saltwater causing them to be more active.

I guess it's the same reason that emergency rooms/hospitals typically have 1/3 more "business" during the full moon cycle.....

Don't know if you do any Freshwater fishing....but there is validity to the full moon theory (in Salt & Freshwater).

BUT, it is FAR down the list of important things to cover when fishing. Many ((many)) other factors are more important before full moon influence- but - it CAN be that little "extra" something that will help you catch "the big one".

You need to get Grand Master Basser's phone number and he will give you the answer cause he knows everything about fishing cause he has won every fishing tournament in the WORLD. If you get an answer here get ready to read for 2 days huh GRAND.