The Solunar Theory, developed by John Alden Knight in 1926, proposes that fish and game are most active during specific periods tied to the moon's position. Many anglers swear by this method for timing their fishing trips.
Major and Minor Periods
Solunar theory identifies four daily periods of peak activity. Major periods (about 2 hours each) occur when the moon is overhead or underfoot. Minor periods (about 1 hour each) occur at moonrise and moonset. These times are location-specific.
Moon Phase Influence
Activity peaks are generally stronger during New Moon and Full Moon phases. The days just before and after these phases often produce the best fishing. During quarter moons, the effect is thought to be weaker.
Using Moonrise/Moonset Times
Moonrise and moonset mark minor solunar periods. Plan to be fishing 30 minutes before through 30 minutes after these events. The API gives you exact times for your location, which can differ significantly from published tables for other areas.
Combining with Other Factors
Solunar theory is one tool among many. Weather, water temperature, barometric pressure, and tides also affect fish activity. The best results come from favorable solunar times that coincide with other positive conditions.