To the best of my knowledge there is no “scientific” evidence proving that bonefishing is more difficult during a Full Moon then it is during other moon phases. But before I get into it, let me say this. If you only have one or two weeks to fish in the tropics per year, check the moon phases FIRST, your bank account SECOND, your wedding anniversary THIRD……..then book your trip. Make sure you are not away on your anniversary, you can afford the trip and you will be fishing during a Neap tide. Over the last ten years I have fished a ton during full moon phases. Why? Because I’m on the flats for so many days, some of them are bound to be during a full moon. I have had plenty of good days during a full moon, but I’ve had lots of crappy ones as well. The subject comes up once again after receiving an email from my travel buddy who is currently on Abaco. He fishes every bit as much as I do and is certainly as good a fisherman (don’t tell him I said that). He says: ” I really think the full moon @#$%& the fishing. I fished the lagoon south of the boat channel around the full moon and struggled to hook 3 fish. The fish just refused to eat the fly and , in fact, would not even follow it. We went back to the lagoon yesterday and it was a completely different story. I did not see very many fish but I caught every fish I saw. I love it when the fly lands, even if it almost hits them on the head, and they turn and attack in some ravenous feeding frenzy. I have never paid that much attention to full moons before but I can see the wisdom of organizing a fishing trip avoiding a full moon unless it is a trip like this one where we are here for 5 weeks. ” And I have had similar experiences during full moons as well. I remember asking a very experienced guide in Belize during one of my early bonefishing trips, whether he thought full moons were negative for bonefishing? He was convinced it was the worst time of the month to plan a trip. And I have asked every guide since. It’s not universal but most believe the fishing is better on a Neap tide. There are two different theories as to why Full Moons and Spring Tides are detrimental to fishing. One is that the Spring tides accompanying a full moon allow fish to access areas farther back into the mangroves and creeks making them inaccessable to fisherman. Second, that bones feed all night during a full moon and they just aren’t hungry or aggressive during the day. I have found both to be true. As a walk and wade guy I am certainly okay to go back into the mangroves to find the fish and have done so successfully on many occasions. High tides aren’t great, but you can find fish. But when they won’t eat like my buddies comments above, it can be down right frustrating. The subject of moon phases and bonefishing have been covered in my book and those written by Dick Brown, Chico Fernandez and Randall Kaufman. I’m not saying they can’t be caught during a full moon, but if possible, book your trip during a Neap tide.
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