Happyshort

What’s the Best Time to Fish?

For all of us who fish there is one question we continually ask. Whether we fish in fresh water, brackish water or salt water, in rivers and streams or in the ocean, we always ask, “what’s the best time to fish?” Other common questions on the best locations to fish, the best bait and what techniques to use all can pale into insignificance.

Here are the Seven Times of the Day Fish Bite Best

• Sunrise

“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”, the old saying goes. It’s also one of the best times to go after the “catch of the day”. As the first light of the sun begins to cast hues of color across the sky, breaking the outline of the horizon, you should be with tackle in the water to greet the early-rising fish species.

• Sunset

Many fish species are nocturnal feeders. That is to say, they become active feeders as the sun echoes its final rays across the waters of late evening. From then on and through the night it’s feeding time for these species. Night fishing is also often less crowded, quieter and cooler in tropical climates.

• Moonrise

If you’re familiar with solunar calendars, you’ll know that they provide times for the moon’s rising from below the horizon. This can impact the feeding habits of many saltwater as well as fresh water fish species. While this can occur at various times of the day, depending on the time of year, it can be useful to know when planning a fishing outing.

• Moonset

In opposition to moonrise, moon set, when the moon goes below the horizon, is another potentially good time to have your fishing tackle in the water. Any good Almanac will give these times for each day of the year. So plan your fishing trips accordingly.

• Full Moon

This one has always worked for me. Not mostly, not many times - always. I became addicted to fishing the full moon at night in winter on the open sea. I didn’t even use live or cut bait. I simply used artificial lures, silvered sinking plugs or florescent multi-hook jigs and “whammo” - it never failed me. Yes, it was cold as a you-know-what, but the fishing was always top-notch.

• New Moon

Many fellow anglers swear by the new moon as well. I know so many catfishermen who live for a new moon it’s almost passé. Even in salt water, there are species better caught at night in totally overcast conditions or during nights of a full moon.

• Incoming Tide

When you fish the surf, the best time to do so, according to a number of addicts I know, is when there’s an incoming tide. A half an hour before, get started and continue fishing the shallows of the incoming surf for the best chances of a consistent catch.

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