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 ‘Fishing Trips’
Fishing – The Seven Times of the Day When Fish Bite Best
April 10th, 2010Alaska Fishing Lodge – Yakutat Lodge
February 21st, 2010
The wonderful thing about the vastness of the State of Alaska is the number of areas that a person can fish. There are Alaska Fishing Lodges in nearly every region with each providing a unique and exciting experience to the angler. The Yakutat Lodge is one of those lodges where a person can find the fishing, accommodations and service that combines for a great fishing vacation.
Yakutat Lodge is located close to the Situk River, near the top of Alaska’s Inland Passage. The Situk River is known for having the largest wild-stock Steelhead population in Alaska. In addition you can try you hand at fishing for Halibut and King Salmon.
You can design a fishing trip that fits your desires and budget. Fully guided fishing trips are offered to all anglers, including fly-fishing. To reach the many fishing locations, Yakutat Lodge has available boats, vehicles, and even airplanes. You can even schedule trips into the Yakutat Ranger District Tongass National Forest.
A wonderful bonus to this Alaska Fishing Lodge is that they will prepare your catch in their custom fishing boxes. This includes filleting and freezing your catch. If you happen to reel in “the big one”, they will gladly prepare your trophy catch for shipping to your taxidermist.
If you need to gear up, you will find a tackle shop on site. Here you can buy or even rent some of the basic fishing equipment you will need. They offer a generous assortment of baits, flies, lures, tackle and fishing licenses.
The Yakutat Lodge has a rustic feel for the outdoorsman, yet there you will find comfortable and clean rooms. Each room comes with its own private bath and if you seek a cabin experience you will find those as well. Another benefit to fisherman is that each room or cabin also comes with its own freezer. After a day of fishing, you can enjoy the delicious meals in the dining room and swap stories with fellow anglers.
If you wish to take a day of from fishing, take advantage of the sightseeing activities. Enjoy kayaking, glacier tours, beachcombing and flyouts. There are hiking areas and miles of beach to explore, so bring your camera. The entire trip to Yakutat Lodge can be an experience of the senses.
Your Alaska Fishing Lodge experience at Yakutat Lodge offers much to anglers of all kinds and should be one that is added to your list of vacation destinations.
By: Dean Carl
Fishing on An Alaskan Cruise
February 17th, 2010
Each year thousands of visitors come to Alaska by cruise ship. And many of these visitors want to experience Alaska’s varied fishing opportunities. Due to the popularity of fishing in Alaska, fishing excursions are available through the cruise lines at several of the stops on Alaskan itineraries. Find out the benefits of taking a fishing trip through your cruise line and whether it’s the right option for you.
What do the cruise lines offer?
Packaged tours
When you book a fishing trip through the cruise line, nearly every aspect of the tour is arranged for you. Your transportation to the area in Alaska where you’ll be fishing, your fishing equipment (like bait, flies, rods and waders), the services of a fishing guide, fishing instruction and sometimes even a meal are all included as part of the fishing excursion. Having all of the elements of your fishing trip pre-arranged saves you a lot of time and effort.
3 to 6 hour tours
The cruise line fishing excursions are typically either 3 or 6 hours long. This time includes your transportation to the area where you’ll be fishing and any instruction given by the guide. Depending on the size of your group, you may have only about an hour of “real” fishing time. But, one of the best things about taking a cruise line excursion is that if your tour is late returning for whatever reason, the cruise ship will wait until you return before leaving the port.
Experienced guides
Because the cruise line has already selected and approved your fishing guide, you can be certain that your guide is well qualified to lead fishing trips in Alaska. Also, if the competition for cruise excursion operators is high, the fishing guides chosen will have a higher level of expertise.
What you should know
You can’t bring your fish onboard.
Though you may have dreams of eating the salmon you caught in the cruise ship dining room, you are not permitted to bring your fresh catch onboard the cruise ship. If you’re on a fishing excursion that is not “catch and release” oriented, you can ask your fishing guide about fish processing and shipping. After your fishing trip is over, you can have your fish processed and sent back home for a fee. Be aware of processing costs before you decide to keep your fish so you can release your catch if you can’t afford to send it back home.
Excursions can be expensive.
Depending on which fishing excursion you choose, you can end up spending over $250 for one day of fishing. Often if you book a fishing trip with a native Alaskan fishing guide, you can get a better price. For most trips, fishing licenses are not a part of the upfront cost and you’ll need to purchase a license separately.
You may be crowded.
Most Alaskan cruise excursions will continue filling up until there is no more space available for that particular trip. This means that you could feel a little crowded on your fishing trip and the crowds can sometimes derive from your enjoyment. Also with big fishing excursions, the passengers will probably have different levels of fishing knowledge. With varying levels of expertise, the fishing guide will need to go over introductory fishing techniques. If you are a seasoned angler, you may lose fishing time while novices get up to speed.
When you take a cruise to Alaska, it’s easy to fit fishing into your itinerary. Whether you take a cruise line fishing excursion or you reserve a day or half day of fishing with a local guide, you’ll enjoy the amazing experience that is Alaska fishing. Happy fishing!
By: E. Klages
