Solunar charts allows people to predict when fish will be feeding by using the position of a moon and the sun. These charts use the movement of the moon and the sun to determine when fish will be active. Many people uses these charts because they show the schedule of when fish will be eating.
By using a solunar chart, people can fish during the times when fish activity are the highest. There is four periods of activity within a single day. There are two major period and two minor periods of activity.
Best Times to Fish with Solunar Charts
The two major periods of activity occur when the moon rise and sets. These periods tend to be one hour or longer in length. The two minor periods of activity occur when the moon is either directly overhead or directly underfoot.
These periods are more shorter in length then the major periods of activity. Fish activity increases during these periods because the gravitational pull of the moon affect the movement of the water and the baitfish. The phase of the moon will impact the feeding activity of fish.
During a new moon, the fish activity is expanded due to the darkness of the moon. During a full moon, the activity of the fish increases during the night due to the light of the moon. During quarter moons, when the moon is halfway in between an new and full moon, the fish will need to be focus on specific areas in the water.
Solunar charts display the activity of fish during waxing and waning moon. Light in the water impact the activity of fish. During sunrise and sunset, when there is low light in the water, fish will feed.
This is due to the change in the angle of the light in the water. During the middle of the day when there is high light in the water, fish will seek area of shade in the water such as under docks or drop-offs. Fish will be active during the nighttime if there is a full moon in the sky because the full moon will provide enough light to keep the fish active.
Changes in the fish activity throughout the year relates to the seasonal changes. During the spring, the temperature of the water rise, extending the time during which fish are active at dawn and dusk. During the summer, the heat increases the activity of the fish between the pre-dawn hours and the night periods.
During the fall, the temperature of the water decreases, yet allowing for the activity periods of the fish to be extended. Finally, during the winter months, the light level decrease in the water, yet the activity of the fish during the midday periods becomes more important when a full moon is visible in the sky. The tides and water currents also play a role in the feeding activity of fish.
During an incoming tide, fish will be pushed into shallow areas of the water. During an outgoing tide, fish will move through channel and the mouths of inlets. During slack water, when there is no current moving through the water, different fishing techniques is required.
Finally, the barometric pressure impact the feeding activities of fish; stable pressure indicate that the fish will be more predictable in their movements, yet falling barometric pressure often indicate that the fish will be more active and feed aggressive during a weather front. Depending on the current solunar period, there is different fishing techniques that can be used. Topwater lure can be used during the major periods that occur at dawn.
Slip float can be used during the minor periods of calm areas. Jerkbaits can be used near the point during the dusk periods. Bottom drift can be used to mimic the movement of the tides through the channels.
Vertical jig can be used when the moon is directly overhead. Finally, downrigger troll can be used during the nighttime periods when there is a full moon visible in the sky. By using a solunar chart to time fishing activities, the probability of encountering fish that are actively feeding increase.