Moon phases? Isn’t that a load of pseudo-scientific hogwash? Not according to many pike anglers who have taken the troulbe to study the subject. Jim Seymour, for example, a firm believer, attempts to flesh out the bones of this theory with hard evidence

IN THE 1960s, Dr Johnson, working at the FBA Laboratory on Lake Windermere, established that pike fed three and a third of their body weight, exhibited similar growth rates to non-captive pike in the lake.  A 20lb pike could consume 66lb of prey per annum or an average of 5 1/2lb a month. We know that peak feeding takes place in May and June with a secondary, less significant peak in September and October. Even if a 20-pounder consumes as much as 100lb of fish in a year it is probable that if sufficiently large prey fish are available the pike could feed as infrequently as once or twice per month in the winter.

What does this mean for the angler? Simply, that we must be on the water at the optimum time/day to succeed. The conditions that stimulate large pike into feeding vary from water to water and are generally perceived as being primarily based on the weather; approaching fronts and fluctuations in barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, temperature and sunlight etc. To be successful these variables must be added to a host of factors determining the pike’s location. Unfortunately, the weather is unpredictable. If you can fish when weather conditions are right you are at a huge advantage compared with those restricted to weekends or days booked off work weeks beforehand. I am fortunate as I can fish whenever I want and have determined the single most predictable stimulus to increased pike activity – the lunar phases.

Recognised influence
Prior to the 1940s, lunar influence on fishing was recognised but unqualified. In 1942, John Alden Knight wrote a book, which was both controversial and inspired. The book was called Moon Up - Moon Down, The Story of Solunar Theory. The basis of the book can be gathered from just one sentence: ‘Other conditions not being unfavourable, fish will feed, animals will move about, birds will sing and fly from place to place, in fact all living things will become more active, more alive, during solunar periods than at other times of apparent equal value.’  Knight, a record breaking angler, made detailed studies of fish in lakes, oceans and aquariums and set about convincing his sceptics. Critics were dismissed as not intelligent enough to understand the theory. 

The truth of the matter was that Knight himself could not explain the absolute cause of the solunar effect, but ventured possibilities including cosmic rays and fluctuations of ions in the atmosphere.

On Thursday, 19th July 2001,1 fished for three hours on Lough Corrib. I ended up with eight pike to 14lb.   Seven of the fish came to float trolled dead perch. The bait was fished four feet behind the float and I could see the bait slowly rotating as I rowed around. Pike were going airborne as they smashed into the perch. Twice I missed fish on the strike, only for them to chase the bait down and grab it again. I hooked one fish and saw another pike take the expelled bait off the surface. The largest fish took a 10-inch Sledge jerk bait after I had run out of perch.

On Saturday, 21st July, I was back and partnered by Brian Joyce of Derrypark Lodge.The fishing was even better. In three and a half hours we landed nine fish, topped by a magnificent 27lb 4oz pike, caught by Brian. Brian’s twenty-seven came as he was letting out line after I had returned an eleven-pounder.   He also boated an 18lb 8oz pike and took the only lure caught fishing of the evening, a nine-pounder that ate a Mepps Musky Killer. The big fish fought very hard and came right at dusk. Night time navigation was impossible because of the rocky nature of the area, so I took the boat back to the marina. Brian revived the exhausted fish in a tube and I picked him up later on the road. 
On Tuesday, the 24th July, I returned for more of the same and suffered an ignominious blank. Worst of all, I had predicted it before going out.

Full and new phases
Why the discrepancy between the Saturday and the Tuesday?  Friday, the 20th July, 2001, was the day of the new moon.  I have been boring people for years with lunar theories gleaned from In-Fishermen, Fishing Facts and Musky Hunter magazines, but for me it is indisputable that pike are triggered to feed during the full and new moon phases. Joe Bucher’s Moon Secrets and Hannan’s Moon Times should not be sneered at as gimmicks. It is accepted that fishing is best in the ‘seven days of the moon’, the three days before, the day of, and the three days after a full or new moon. 

I frequently observe peak fishing activity during these prime phases.   Were I a more consistent keeper of records this might be easier to evidence:

18 May ’96 - New moon plus one day - Lough Corrib - Alan Broderick and I boat fish of 27.08, 26.06 and 141b.

10 September ’96 - New moon minus two days - Lough Mask - Alan Broderick and Frank Barbe land sixteen fish for 301.51bs including six fish over 20lb, largest 30lb 6oz.

23 June ’98 - Day of New moon - Lough Mask - I land a 25.08, largest fish of a 9-day trip. I also caught 20lb plus fish on the day of the new moon, 28 days before and after catching this fish.

23 May ’97 - Full moon plus one day - Startops Reservoir -1 land three pike for 57lb in 45 minutes.

6 May 2001 - Full moon minus one day - Lough Mask - John Bell and I boat ten trout, largest 9lb 6oz.

3rd November 2001 – Full moon plus three days –  Lough Corrib –  I land my largest fly caught pike of 24lb 8oz.

I am convinced that if anglers check their records of big fish and multiple catches against the moon phases they will find correlations.
There are two further days that should be added to the primary moon phases as ‘must fish’ days.  The Apogee and the Perigee. The Apogee is the point in the moon’s orbit when it is furthest from the earth. The Perigee is when it is closest. During the Perigee the moon’s gravitational pull is 20% stronger than during the Apogee. They occur every 29.33 days. The world record musky (69lb 11oz) was caught on a day of Perigee. On the 2nd July 1998, Ferdi Heyderman and I fished the lower Corrib. Ferdi had an appointment later that afternoon and this coupled with a short shaft engine on a boat designed for a long shaft meant we only had two and a half hours fishing time. We still boated five fish to 19lb 12oz and had strikes and follows from larger fish. I deem the feeding trigger was caused by it being the day of the Apogee. I also took my largest haul from Startops Reservoir, twelve fish to 21lb, on the day of the Apogee.

Primary phases
Whilst the primary phases represent the most important monthly influences, I try to be on the water for either the moonrise or the moon set. Dawn and dusk are also great times to be afloat, but the dangers of negotiating rocks and high winds to gain access to remote areas in the dark override their appeal.   Brian Joyce and I decided to have a day’s static dead baiting last December. Now both us get bored very quickly but on this day we were committed to sitting it out. We even left the lure rods at home. We rowed four baits out and sat on an island.  At 12.20 pm, Brian’s reel starts to scream and the run resulted in a 21lb fish. Twenty minutes later, I land at 18-pounder which put on one of the best displays of tail walking I have ever seen.There was no more action. Moon set was at 12.30 pm. The next day was a repeat performance. Two 20lb-plus fish, one either side of moonset. I have often been on the water and noticed an increase in fish activity that corresponded to moon rise and moon set times. Gill nets were set in this area in late February prior to the Foot and Mouth outbreak.  A Fisheries Inspector later informed me that it must have been a good area for pike because he had seen pike fishermen there in the winter; sometimes it pays to keep a low profile.

Lunar phases should not be regarded as guaranteeing outstanding fishing.   Cold fronts, extreme temperatures, fishing pressure, and most important of all - location - can negate lunar influences.   If conditions are good, go fishing whatever the phase, but the moon cycle is the only non-variable factor you will face - so, when planning fishing trips, try to do it around the new or full moon.   Try to incorporate a moonrise or moon set into you day’s session.

I point out the productivity of fishing during lunar phases to many anglers and apart from the odd strange look, most agree that they have had good fishing when the moon is influential. I believe you could liken it to a well-known secret.
This article was first published in Pike & Predators magazine