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
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
o 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 pass
Posts Tagged ‘Feeding Time’
Fishing – The Seven Times of the Day When Fish Bite Best
April 10th, 2010Bass Fishing Tips on Locating Bass
February 22nd, 2010
Why is it some bass fishermen have a good catch every time they go out? A variety of sports fishing columnists offer some interesting observations. They should know, for not only are they avid fishermen, they interview a lot of anglers and pros who know how to bring in fish. Many of them say the key is keeping mental notes, a diary, or a journal of four things:
* Weather Patterns
* Time of Day
* Electronic Results
* Seasons
End result is they come to know when the bass are actively feeding and where. Here’s a summary of their comments:
Weather Patterns
Largemouth are sensitive to bright light. That’s why overcast days produce better than sunny ones. Rain also affects light because it creates an overcast day. Thunderstorms and extremely heavy rain may result in poor fishing, for the bass become spooked and run for heavy cover. But normal to light rain creates an overcast day, and some other interesting effects. Rain of that type usually results in good fishing. The reason is the normal cycle of nature. Rain knocks more bugs into the water. The baitfishes then start feeding heavily. And the bass, seeing this baitfish activity, leave their cover and go chasing this easy to catch free meal. Think about it; makes sense. Wind causing light choppy water also causes them to feed, one source notes, while no wind or heavy wind has a reverse effect. And cold weather drives them deeper, where you might pick up a few, but they also become sluggish. Bass are warm water creatures, and cold weather evidently does not make for heavy feeding.
Time of Day
For the right time of day to fish, main point is bass seem to strike more during low light periods, so early morning and evening chases can be very lucrative. If you are electronic fish finder knowledgeable, try to find humps and points in your waters. If you get out early morning or late evening, you will find bass around the top of this structure, in the shallow part. Also fish the shady side first. By noon, most bass will go deeper, and be found down the side of the hump or point.
Know Your Electronics
Really getting to know how your electronic equipment works is one big key to big largemouth. It will tell you when to abandon the bank fishing and go deep. But keep this in mind. “Deep” means different things to different bass in different waters. Why? Bass adapt to their environment. What may deep for them in one lake, may not be as deep in another. Usually deep is anything 20 to 25 feet. But it’s really up to the angler to determine what deep is in the waters he fishes. Electronics these days includes the Internet. You can research a lake before fishing it. You might learn everything about it from large coves and bays, river arms, and creek channels, to contours and structures that could yield big bass.
Seasons Count
Some sources report fall as a prime fishing time for bass, in deep water. This is when lakes cool down with cold nights. So the bass start gathering in groups, and using the outside deep water as a comfort factor. Keep in mind the term “fall” depends on where you live. Your fall might start in September, but might end in November, December, or January. Others state fishing right after the spawn provides good yields, in deep water, but it depends on the fishery. By early June in some of these, the big fish can be caught in the deeps, as they haven’t moved into their summertime habitat. Deep here again is defined as 20 to 25 feet.
Tips Summary
The above are some basic patterns, and there is definitely more than just these. But you have to find them for yourself, because many other, more subtle patterns change from month to month and lake to lake. Keep track of these patterns, and next time you go out angling with your friends, you may surprise them.
Key is either have a good memory, or keep a journal or diary. Dividing it into sections might be a good idea.
“Overcast Days” might be one section. There you can note what worked, on what days, and even on what lakes. Bass fishing is becoming a science, and is not just about bass fishing techniques.
By: Wes Browning
