Moon Phases

Moon Phases by James Smith
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BEST times: New moon and Full moon
The forces of the moon that cause the ocean tides also have direct influences on inland fish.

During specific time periods, feeding and movement increase. Field studies have shown five times greater success during these periods. A study of the 1979 International Game Fish Association record book listings of record fish and when they were caught during the lunar month found the following. The three days on each side of the dark (new) and full moons plus the day of each half moon, represented about 54% of the month, yet held 73% of the 1970 to 1979 world records. More dramatically, 24% of the month around the full moon held 41% of the world records taken during this period.

GLOSSARY:
Apogee- A period occurring monthly where the gravitational pull from the Moon is decreased due to the Moon being farthest from the Earth.

Moon on Equator- A period when the Moon’s pull during both daily majors will be similar in strength.

Moon farthest north or south of Equator- A period when the Moon’s pull during both daily majors will have the most difference in strength.

Perigee- A period occurring monthly where the gravitational pull from the Moon is increased due to the Moon being closest to the Earth.

Times: The major times for fish and wildlife activity listed on each day on calendars. The major activity periods last for approximately 2-3 1/2 hours. The minor periods usually last for approximately 3/4-1 1/2 hours. The times listed are the beginnings of each major with the peak period being 1 hour into the major. To adjust for your local activity periods, multiply the number of degrees longitude you are from on the calendar base longitude by 4.14 minutes. Using Denver as a base longitude (105 degrees west) Subtract 1 minute from the times for each 12.5 miles east of Denver you are. Add 1 minute to times for each 12.5 miles west of Denver. These changes are based on the assumption that each degree of longitude equals 50 miles and that a change of 1 degree of longitude equals 4.14 minutes. If you are west add to the time. If you are east, subtract from the time. During Daylight Savings Time, add one hour to times listed.

Calendar Symbols:
D-Dark or New Moon
1Q-First Quarter (Waning-decreasing)
F-Full Moon
2Q-Second Quarter (Waxing-increasing)
A-Moon in Apogee
E-Moon on Equator
N-Moon Farthest North of Equator
P-Moon on Perigee
S-Moon Farthest South of Equator

author contact: jamestsmith@cox.net | author bio