Bluegill Fly Rodders

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Comment by carl hendrix on March 5, 2015 at 2:16pm

just a quick thought!!  in the ( old days) back in the 50;s we used a old book to decide all kinds of things-- according to the ( signs) ..  the book was-- POOR RICHARDS ALMANACK!!  we were taught- how to read; ( the signs) according to the book.  planting crops;; as well as fishing !!  and i bet-- Jeffery has a book every year of it to!!

Comment by Leo Nguyen on March 5, 2015 at 2:02pm

Frontal assault noted.

Spawning during moon phases: no correlation that was noted for the past 3 decades, on any of the species in freshwater, unless you're talking amphibians.

Feeding during moon phases: since we're unable to fish during night time (before dawn or after dark), we can't test the catch per hour at our local water. But that didn't limit our level of observation, as we toss baits to see the explosiveness of boils at night. There's a higher feeding rate as the full moon peaks. This was targeted at public water bodies (minimal fishery management, except for dumping in more game fishes such as trout and catfish), with water body size 15 acres or more. Those who have ventured utilizing "ninja sessions" to compare peak full moons, to various other moon phases, compared to those who fish during the daytime at the same spots within the same moon phases, they've reported the catching the bigger fishes (4lbs bass and larger) were a big challenge, compared to smaller sized fishes (4lbs bass and smaller).

A group of us did draft proposals to local Department of Fish and Wildlife to allow us in performing studies, by angling at night as well as morning hours. Those proposal were immediately dismissed, unless it was related to fishery management studies (electrofishing only). Our proposals, no matter how scientifically sounded they were, considered as nothing more than "Promotion of illegal activities on State and Federal premises." We did the same studies on private lakes/ponds (12 acres and less), but the managed lakes were lacking so many vital elements to truly make the data conclusive. The fishes would bite regardless of the hours of the day, and whatever one tossed at them. The poor souls were starving.

So, there's a massive correlation of larger fishes took the opportunity to feed well in the shallow and near the surface during peak moon phases, and went deep during the day to avoid aerial predation. Smaller ones took chances to remain in the shallow to feast on any available food source for growth and maturation.

The observation notes also indicated that the time and depth the weight ranges were also affected. At dawn (allowable fishing time between 6AM to 8AM), bass up to 4lbs were caught in the shallow after the preceding frenzy feeding at night. Between 8AM to 9:30AM, only small (up to 4lbs) were feeding. After 9:30AM, spotty catches up to 2lbs until dusk came around (6PM to 8PM allow catch time period). After 8PM, action increases during peak full moon, but any longer on the water, your chance of getting a fine is pretty high.

The argument for some folks who live in California is probably be, "Well, you can fish after dark, if you go camping at the public water (with overnight campsites). Yes, you can. However, the optimal shoreline fishing areas are not accessible by walking there, unless you're willing to risk yourself in breaking your legs, bitten by rattlers, and/or venomous insects.

So, the battle continues to collect as much info we can possibly can, without the help from DNR, DFW, USEPA, on popular abundant game fishes. Endangered species on the other hand, oohhhh..that's a whole different ball of wax.

This was also noted for panfishes, after I dedicated in chasing them, aside from my old mantra of "only chase big games". It's all thanks to my wife and you guys.

Comment by dick tabbert on March 5, 2015 at 1:53pm

You know some people plan there vacations and fishing trips around the full moon so there might be something to it. Unfortunately I don't have that option when I get a chance to go I have to go cause there are not many of those days I get the chance to go. As a general rule I catch fish I may have to change up my tactics somewhat but the fish are there somewhere and there are some that are hungry

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on March 5, 2015 at 1:27pm

One of my favorite books is called "Finding Fish: locating and catching fish in warm-water lakes," By Cliff Hauptman

He makes almost no mention of the phases of the moon, alignment of planets, Verne's Equal Knocks or any of the seemingly endless astrological harbingers of a good catch we rely on. I cant recall his mentioning even once a solunar table.

His premise is simple:

1. Know what fish want to do at a given time.

2. Know what they want to eat at a given time.

3. Know where they want to be, to fulfill 1. and 2.

4. Go to the location determined in 3, and apply the information from 1. and 2.

 

Comment by DAVID L EITUTIS on March 5, 2015 at 1:26pm

Hey Leo it's all in fun here , but now ya got me thinking or watching out for bullheads with teeth in my waters .... Picture here if ya will the theme from JAWS opening scene ...

Comment by carl hendrix on March 5, 2015 at 1:25pm

LEO!!!   would it be ok ;; little buddy;; if I sent you and your family some tickets - to go to the movies??  just so you guys could get out for a ;little while!!  LOL!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Leo Nguyen on March 5, 2015 at 1:21pm

Indeed. I've been staring at my electronics too long. My choices are quite limited to, "Being single with kids" or "being married with kids". Once the kids are out of the house, it then boils down to, "Being cooked up in the house with some money" or "Time to break the bank accounts for some fun in the sun".

So, while I drool as I watch you gents have your fun, hauling in glorious catches, dreaming and counting the days and blessing until I can actually soak my lines, I do my best to find ways to preserve and enhance future generation's capacity to create bigger, better, and more sustainable population of our beloved fisheries.

Now, enjoy your fishing gents, and ladies. Just watch out for something resembling a bullhead shark of a panfish, dragging you under. When that day comes, just think for a moment, "Leo, what insanity did you cook up?!"

Comment by Andy is OptiMystic on March 5, 2015 at 1:17pm

I think the moon has zero relevance to freshwater fishing. A lot of people shake their heads when I say that, but my personal experience correlates and I have never seen hard data that says the moon affects it. 

Comment by Tony Livingston on March 5, 2015 at 1:13pm

Okay, how about a direct frontal assault on one of the leading mainstays of fishing lore.....that being the full moon has a direct effect upon fishing/spawning behavior/timing??

There is an article in the March 2015 issue of Outdoor Life, wherein it announces the results of a joint study between the US Geological Survey, and the EPA concerning Muskies. It seems that most fish were taken during full and new moon periods, BUT angling efforts were also higher during those periods....when they broke the statistics down by catch-per-angler-hour, there were no significant lunar effect.

Also, records kept at fish hatcheries show no evidence that Largemouth bass spawn at any particular phase of the moon.

Lunar cycles for catching bass? The Texas share a lunker program found no correlation whatsoever.

I don't consider any of these findings to be absolutes, or conclusive. But it does open the door to the possibility of positive thinking.... I've mentioned before about being convinced that angler confidence in a particular lure probably accounts for at least some of that lure's success....I wonder if the same applies here?

Meaning, if you believe the full moon is responsible for an improved catch rate, could it actually be your belief in the notion encouraging an extra fishing effort on the angler's part, that accounts for the success?? And if one believes a certain tree blooming is an indicator of when to begin fishing, might they also work just a little bit harder, even subconsciously, to try and catch fish?

Comment by DAVID L EITUTIS on March 5, 2015 at 1:12pm

YUP SCRUFFY although I love Leo to death and Tony too, but I suspect Leo has been starring at the computer screen a little to long !!!!!!!! I"d love nothing better than to be out fishing right now but we keep getting snow, ice , and such here and I"m a a warm water fisherman .....

  Now I don't even understand what all the words are here or theory's for that matter ..I do know one thing ya can't catch bluegills or anything sitting on a couch like I do , actually in my recliner, ya gotta be on the water .....

 Me and Carl don't run around screaming cause we are too old and full bodied !!!!!!!!
  Leo reverse engineering ? You've been watching too many Roswell shows !!!!
This is like watching " DRIVING MISS DAISY" cept it's driving Tooty and Carl around !!!!

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