Does The Moon Phase Affect Fish Activity Levels?

[@wayne9080]

I find it interesting that all these kind of shows I watch, they all tell you something different, not one are the same!

[@MattStefanFishing]

There’s no right or wrong answer

[@rickvann3489]

I fish like I deer hunt, pay attention to all creatures activities while fishing and hunting. Your right relate yourself to fish, we don't eat all the time, we don't move all the time and we don't rest all the time. Walk the banks at night for a month same bank and record your sightings and relate it to the moon phases. Bass start getting shallow right before dark to get in their ambush hide outs. My bass around the pond do it all the time to the point I know what bass is where.

[@MattStefanFishing]

That's super cool!

[@chriscomer261]

Thanks for the video Matt. I haven't started fishing at night, however, when I went fishing with my military brother about a week ago I noticed the full moon and the fish acted just like you said. We caught a couple early that morning and it basically went dead until early afternoon when we caught a couple more. I appreciate your advice and cannot wait until your next video.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the support!

[@douglasspickler4925]

Absolutely agree with your thinking. Full moon nights everything is more active. Deer, bear, bass and the other night I had a owl up on the roof during the bright moon. Full moon nights bring out the weirdos also. When I was in the fire department those nights were very busy.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Crazy!

[@chrisboyd1408]

I have noticed that daytime fishing following a full moon is significantly diminished in the morning and early afternoon so I think you are spot on exactly correct thank you for sharing and reminding us of this

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@jbowron1]

Thanks! Your understanding of fish behavior is top of the line.

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s my life haha

[@jaredkemperfishing]

Your absolutely correct! I fish a lot of night tournamants and fish daytime and fishing daytime is always tough 3-4 days before, during, and 3-4 days after a full moon but it's good at night. I've followed the moon phases calendar for fishing for 30+yrs since I 1st seen it in Bassmaster as a kid and my grandpa was always a big believer in the Farmers Almanac and they went hand in hand on good days to fish. Moon phases are a big part of my game plan.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Well said!

[@jaredkemperfishing]

@@MattStefanFishing thanks Matt!

[@jholl7339]

I absolutely agree with your statements. This is exactly what my experiences have been, around the full moon.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome!

[@5280OutdoorsCO]

Agreed 👍 Great Segment 😎

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@bobmatch5429]

Hey Matt, The full moon theory makes perfect sense...no cloud cover, of course. A lot of "flats" fish feeding under that bright moon can stay shallow during the day, and that's when dock fishing is something to check. A good theory to work off of, but I will always remember back at an 80's seminar when fishing legend Al Lindner said, "Never tell the fish where they should be or what they should be doing". Best advice I've ever heard.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Al is a favorite of mine!

[@DavidMccallister65]

I would say they still feed more even if there are clouds. Obviously not as much light penetration but I think it's more than just night light. I think their bodies are synced with the moon phases like women's menstrual cycle or something lol

[@Will-nb8qk]

@@DavidMccallister65 That’s what I always thought but maybe it is simpler than that lol 🤷‍♂️

[@RyanCook55]

I haven’t noticed it as much with bass fishing. But when we used to fish for walleye on Lake Erie those fish would be deeper and win suspenders hi we were catching him in 20 or 10 feet down just under the surface. Whenever a full moon was on they would be in the 40 the 30 foot depth and wooden feet as well except for early morning bites and late afternoon

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@ronforeman5317]

Yep, day bite tends to suck on a full moon, bright all night and it's good on a new moon, dark all night. 🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@rodlinvon-hugenstine5142]

Happy thanksgiving from southeastern PA (Philly) .. you got some of the best pro-shop short vid on KZbin. Keep em’ coming!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks! Will do!

[@bobbytaleo4916]

Thanks for the tips, hope to see more.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@Kctfishn]

So much good info in these vids. Midday- This is when you have to trigger bites instead of just feeding bass your bait.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Agreed!

[@13thworker45]

Yes I agree. You’re using common sense. I also pay attention to wildlife. When there resting I find the fish less aggressive. I enjoy your channel.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@johngalt3568]

Happy Thanksgiving Matt: Agree. Smallest Bass I’ve caught at night was my first at night and it was 5 lbs. I’ve not night fished that much, but the biggest at night was a 6.5. In every case the fish turned on at about 10 at night. I’ve only caught Bass at night on black Spinnerbaits and black ribbon tailed worms. Worm fishing at night is a lesson in patience. When you can’t see your line it’s a whole new ballgame. Thanks Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@soonerfan1675]

When I started fishing everyone told me how great fishing was after a full moon. I never found that to be true. Over the years, I developed the same opinion as you. The fish are active and feeding all night…they ain’t interested in my spinnerbait. Thanks for clearing that up.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@jamescaspersamanthalintner4767]

Yep when I started bass fishing that's what everyone told me to . Lol

[@hankwilliams3063]

So true. We had a championship in in September during full moon..very low weights..I went out the night after the tournament and caught the hell out of them

[@MattStefanFishing]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@jenryollivierre7086]

Really interesting video which makes a lot of sense. I am a salt water inshore guy who only started fishing 10 months ago. My two best days have been 3 and 1 night before the full moon. The best parts have been around sunset until like an hour after then later in the night. I had a brief epic encounter for 45 minutes one morning before the full moon. Trevallies were hitting the spoon like crazy but then the bite died as soon as the sun started shining good around 7 AM. There was this time 2 nights after the full moon, very late in the night the snappers started to bite like crazy but ran out of bait. So i totally agree with your comments. I would advise against fishing late after sunrise couple days prior to and after the full moon. All species are not the same though. Horse eye Trevallies love low light conditions so new moon nights are more productive for them than full moon nights. Snappers and Pompano/permits seem to love feeding at night during the moonlight.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jenryollivierre7086]

@@MattStefanFishing no problem. I'd say though, the night of the full moon itself has always been poor. I guess it maybe due to extreme feeding the night before or even during afternoon time during the day of the full moon itself so there is little feeding after sunset til midnight. I will give the afternoon of the full moon a try one of these days to put that theory to the test.

[@richardporter1455]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Matt. I am thankful for you content.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Thanks for the good explanation on moon phases especially the Full Moon. I'm like you were not thinking it had an affect but listening to what you said sure makes sense and changed my way of thinking. Stay Sae & God Bless!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@edwardcowan7012]

5 of the 13 tournaments I fished last year were on tidal water. The moon controls the tide. The tide is everything. Tide chart predict times and fluctuations. So I’m not really looking at the moon but more it’s effect. Spawn typical peaks at the new moon when there in minimum fluctuation. Full moon and maximum fluctuation can be challenging but the highest water can make areas accessible that may not be otherwise.

[@MattStefanFishing]

great point! Thanks for sharing!

[@stoneysdead689]

This is something I get asked about often because ppl know I love to fish- and yes, I have noticed a difference in my fishing as it relates to moon phases. That said- it's not like it's the dominating factor- at all. It plays in with many other variables that seem to have just as much impact. But- when I see a day where everything lines up- the weather, the water clarity, the moon phase, the season, etc. all lines up well with what, where, and when I'm fishing- that's when it's really noticeable. Just because you have a favorable moon phase doesn't mean you're going to kill it though- you need several variables to line up with that moon phase- now you may really hit a home run. And just to remind you and me that we don't understand it all like we think we do- every once and awhile everything will line up beautifully and you'll still have a bad day. "The sea be a harsh mistress."- truer words have never been spoken.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I couldnt agree more!

[@Stumpjack]

Ha! Funny you put this video out today. I just ordered Hannon's 2022 Moon Clock before watching.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Very cool!

[@kosmonautassaliutovas7984]

I agree with you. Also I can mention that week ago was thinking about the same issue. I was thinking that in full moon nights, especially when the sky is clear with no clouds, fishes can feed active in the night time. Also, it is important to notice that almost all fishes spend the night in shallow water, somewhere near water plant's or some shallow underwater structures. At the same time when there was full moon nights I was fishing three days in a row. I was fishing for pike and all three days pike started feeding one hour before sunset.

[@MattStefanFishing]

very cool thanks for sharing!

[@craigstevens9734]

I agree caught 5 on a Bandit crank bait 11 o clock same hole slow before that good stuff red on one side chartreuse other .Bandit saved the day.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff

[@mikepuusa6084]

Great video. Sheds some light on the topic lol. I was beginning to think it was a really bad curse on me.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad I could help

[@scottvermonter920]

Awesome content thanks for the info! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

The moon phase affects the tidal flow and height in the saltwater. The full moon has the strongest tide, with the most water moving and the fish often really bite when it's really moving, especially at night. I agree that a lot of fish mostly eat at night, but I've never seen jacks or mackerel caught at night unless there are lights. My favorite time to fish is at night with an outgoing tide and especially during the full moon.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@MrIfish2much]

I agree and conversely new moon the bite can be great .

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep!

[@ro-cl2do]

Interesting, something to think about. Thanks. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@BenHolliday1]

Totally agree with the moonlight thing. I often wonder if there is also a gravitational pull thing. Sometimes the full moon has cloud cover during the night so not much light. Does the cloud cover negate the moon light thing or is there also a gravitational effect as well?

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes

[@deanlyons4]

Happy Thanksgiving Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@robertmclean9737]

Of course!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thaabka

[@johncloud2851]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and the family... I couldn't agree with you more... fishing the day after full moon is brutal.. especially if the water is clear..

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@lynnglidewell7367]

My experience has been full moon is great for Bluegill fishing as well. About an hour before dark I'll use a yellow or chartreuse small popping bug on my Fly Rod. Which seems to work well. At dark I switch to a black bug which is visible against the bright moon. The bluegill really are attracted to it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@timhintzsche]

I'm to old to party with fish like that 😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

never to old!

[@SpookyRedz]

I really pay attention to the calendar of each month and I won’t go bass fishing during those days when moon is full for a daytime trip

[@MattStefanFishing]

not a bad idea if you can pick which days you can go

[@BillDog_NC]

@Matt Stefan: As Perch/Bluegill spawn during both the Full Moon and New Moon phases, would it make more sense to just ignore the Full Moon phase altogether when targeting bass keying on those fish?

[@MattStefanFishing]

That’s a good question that i think you could make an argument for on either sode

[@johnrayner5599]

I dont play the moon phase game to much but I do agree on the times around the full moon, I do night fish and I always try to be out around a full moon! Now go get some pie before uncle Charlie gets it! lol!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Im stuffed. Couldnt eat another thing...

[@law1831]

As far as night fishing during a full moon, I fish 4 or 5 days a week in the late spring early summer for smallmouth. During the high illumination periods, I personally feel the fish will hit daytime baits and colors probably because of the extra amount of light.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Agreed!

[@SpookyRedz]

Great stuff , thanks for the breakdown

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rodcashman4793]

Great information really works 💪

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yes it does!

[@timmcc1044]

Hi Matt, great episode. Off the wall question for you and future episode. You did a video on tunes and I've tried them on nearby TN river lakes (Boone and Cherokee). Use the typical weighted 90 degree heads, but I get a lot of line twist. I understand that the bait spirals down, but that and retrieves seem to really twist line. I'm a bait caster person so I usually use a ml rod with bait castor. Ive used spinning rods too, but still get twists. Is this part of the tube fishing process, or am I doing something wrong. Thanks for your expertise. You have the best channel for bass fishing by far. Good to see you partnering with Randy and Jonny too. They seem like good guys and you'd make great team. Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Unfortunately tubes do twist a lot. You can tie a small swivel in above the tube to help, but unfortunately i don’t know of any other way to resolve it. It’s that spiraling that gets bit on the fall

[@dclark583]

yea, I agree

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@oldgoatvincent8005]

Hey buddy. Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@juleswinnfield826]

Good vid, good info. Personally I dont put alot of stock in a full, half, dark moon increasing or decreasing my bites on a given day or moon cycle. Personally i trust my process and work through it, fishing fast, slow, shallow, to deep untill multiple bites are had. If an Angler puts alot of faith in the moon cycle.... then roll with that because its part of the angler confidence that they have. As we all know angler confidence results in bites and caught fish. Thanks for the vid. Happy Thanksgiving..... a day late.....

[@MattStefanFishing]

Agreed! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@DavidMccallister65]

From my experience, the fish always feed really good in the days leading up to the full moon. The week of the full moon has always been a good bite and then it gets tougher ther days after the full moon. I can't say specifically this or that IS the deal but I have definitely noticed the full moon and especially the week of the full moon is a better than average bite

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@jamescaspersamanthalintner4767]

Happy holidays Matt I'm commenting before I watch your video because I'm curious whether we have the shared opinion of how the moon phase is effect bass. My theory is that moon phase is affect the fish by allowing them to feed more efficiently on well lit nights. I've always believed because of the extra light provided by the moon those fish being sight predators feed more effectively and can be harder to catch during the daylight hours because they've already ate. I know everyone's got opinions and bass fishing but in my experience especially in colder water it seems like after a full moon bass are harder to catch and the majority of the strikes I do get in those situations our reaction strikes.

[@MattStefanFishing]

We agree on a bunch!

[@gregphelps1989]

Makes complete sense to me

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@frankjzaabadick5148]

I chase stripers year round if there's clear sky full moon there gonna feed at night the morning is gonna be dead. I'm not saying you won't get one I have before but pretty much I skunk out. So night time fishing is very productive at full moon, I quit doin that cause I'm scared of the dark. So what I do is jus hit late evening usually pans out for me.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@carlmaro]

Some of my worst days on the water are in and around the full moon. Now I just avoid full moon fishing.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I hear you!

[@kevinmoore7710]

Biologically, phytoplankton continue to be active by the light of the moon, which causes the zooplankton to feed more, which in turn causes bait fish and crawfish to be more active as well. And we all know what bass like to eat, or we wouldn't be watching this channel!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@law1831]

Matt, what are your thoughts on that whole solunar table thing? All my buddies that musky fish make a huge deal of it. I havent really noticed a moonrise turn em on.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I know the musky guys love it. I cant say ive seen it hurt bass fishing. I think it plays a bigger roll with bigger fish like muskie that eat once every few days. You need to take advantage of those peak windows.

[@astrophysicistguy]

Hey Matt, I did a 25 min presentation on this topic called “bass fishing solunar tables and moon phases” for the ‘hooked on headwaters’ KZbin channel about a month ago - some interesting science-based data. Take a look if you get a chance … definitely an interesting topic …

[@MattStefanFishing]

Ill check it out! Thanks for sharing!

[@leojeidy1143]

Would agree with that.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@brianbordoni2168]

I don’t really know if the moon phase makes a difference. I’ve fished predominantly nights for the last 30 years l catch just as many big fish on a new moon as a full moon. Although the fish are definitely more visibly active during the full moon ,I think that works on the anglers psyche more than it relates to their fishing success on any given moon.

[@MattStefanFishing]

very well could be

[@joeveasey954]

Yep. I agree. I have been tracking the moon phases this year, at least casually, and the days around full moons are the toughest to get a bite. maybe the bass get a thanksgiving dinner every 28 days !!! best wishes and great job on the channel.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@johndynneson662]

There proof of some fish feeding on the full moon 🌕 nights when In-Fishermens magazine did an article years ago (( when the technology of radio tracking started)). Capturing few big largmouth bass in some Minnesota area lakes. They found that some of these bass home based along one shoreline And studying there behavior. When a full moon period. These big bass would cruz up down the outside edges all night hunting for food. Mite be able to find that article. Expect was quit a few years ago.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’ll have to look into that article.

[@kellymoore4517]

I concur.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@robertcook8187]

Happy Thanksgiving

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@waynewalters5813]

Matt you need to get in there before the pie is gone!😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

My belly is so full of pie right now....

[@creighart]

is that just for clear water or do bass feed at night during full moons in muddy water

[@MattStefanFishing]

They feed at night in dirty water as well

[@FutureBassmaster4469]

So i have a tournament tomorrow matt, its waxing gibbious. Any suggestions brother?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Make the morning bite count

[@SpookyRedz]

I hate the full moon too for daytime fishing

[@MattStefanFishing]

can be tough

[@shannonwhitehead6314]

100% agree full moon affects the bite (in my opinion)

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@ukstorm2727]

Every time I've been able to fish a full moon at night its been a disappointment, get all excited because its supposed to be great, then struggle fest, first full moon in June, skunked lol, pretty sure its something I'm doing wrong

[@MattStefanFishing]

Intereting

[@scantech58]

My experience on night fishing on full moon has always been [10 and 2] those 4hrs have been excellent for me

[@mikeeller557]

Hot summer full moon is night fishing for Biggs.

[@MattStefanFishing]

agree

[@rednissan96]

Not just fish react to moon phases. Im 63 and when i was a 11 or 12 i fished with dad at night on Ky Lake and we threw black jitterbugs. Anything black that that would show up best from the fishes view against a light night sky. And being from the old days there was an old saying that's true. If most of the cows are standing feeding then so are the fish..if most are laying down it will be a slow bite. Old timers knew what was what.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@johnnyweaver1300]

I got seriously burned this past year from bassmaster magazine saying it was going to be great fishing for 5 days in row because of the moon phase, took my vacation to Guntersville, it was not that great I did catch some but I have no faith in that senerio, never again!

[@MattStefanFishing]

ughhh

[@PistolPete3322]

Thx Matt. What about full moon around the spawn?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I think it can increase number of spawning fish

[@PistolPete3322]

@@MattStefanFishing Do you think it affects them the same around the spawn?

[@shannonkirby9295]

I suppose it does have some to do with it. I personally make no changes

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing

[@edgarmelton8091]

Matt when you asked us if it was smart for you too keep fishing pro level let me ask you what will be best for your kids future you sound like n intelligent dude don’t short change yourself your pro fishing career will end sooner than later think about that your young men will be here on planet Earth well past your time here I’m saying this because I was around my family last night for thanksgiving and both my Uncle’s have made enough money for there children never to have too worry about money if there smart like them when we’re on our death bed that’s when we think most about our children I saw that in my 95 year old grandmother she asked her kids if they were gonna be ok

[@MattStefanFishing]

Agree!

[@wolverinex4243]

The true question is does the moon dictate your fishing?

[@MattStefanFishing]

nope

[@friendlyfishingguy9556]

Come early stay late 😉

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds good to me!

[@SpookyRedz]

Unless I have no choice

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep

[@morganheberling]

full moon is ok. my best results come from fishing a falling barometer mostly. lunar wise, the rising to overhead waxing moon is real good but my best quality has always been on the NEW MOON. something about the pitch black night makes the big bass ROAM! cuz they can ambush from ANYWHERE!. new moon is my best quality. waxing and full for quantity.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing! Lots of others have the same results you do!

[@morganheberling]

hey Matt, real quick, damn, now i sound like Zona... anyways on ur vid edit software or even some audio freeware or garage band, not sure what u use to produce, but if on ur opening audio (intro) if u insert a compressor, find a good setting and then save that as a template to use every time or make one standard copy for ur audio, mix it down, export and save it. youll have little to no volume discrepancies. i only say this because the volume on ur intro varies greatly between videos and will scare me and my dogs with the first loud, DUNT DUNT! and then my landlord yells telling me to turn down the music u young whippersnapper!. it creates quite the turmoil around here when ur vids autoplay.. so i just wanted to give u options for a more consistent, professional sound. i am a solution guy. know what i mean?

[@MattStefanFishing]

sorry about that... I'm not sure why that happens to some people. when i watch the videos the volume doesn't change but I've had several other s mention it as well.