Does the Full Moon Really Affect Fishing?
Myth, Science, and What I Learned Offshore
Introduction
If you've spent any time talking to anglers, you've probably heard someone say, "Don't bother fishing around the full moon." It's one of those bits of fishing wisdom that's been passed down for generations.
The theory is simple enough. A bright moon allows fish to feed throughout the night, so by the time the sun comes up they're already full and far less interested in your bait. Many anglers plan their trips around the lunar cycle, avoiding the days surrounding a full moon altogether.
I'll admit, I've been guilty of thinking exactly the same thing.
But over the years I've also learnt that fishing has a habit of proving you wrong just when you think you've got it all figured out.
That was certainly the case on a recent offshore trip.
Why Does the Moon Affect Fishing?
Before writing the moon off as an old wives' tale, it's worth understanding why so many anglers pay attention to it.
The moon influences several things that can affect fish behaviour, although not always in the way people expect.
Tides
The moon's gravitational pull is the biggest driver of our tides. Around the full and new moons we experience spring tides, where the tidal range is at its greatest. Water moves harder and currents become stronger.
Stronger current can be a blessing or a curse. It often stimulates bait movement and fish activity, but it can also make it much harder to hold bottom in deeper water or present a bait naturally.
Moonlight
A full moon provides significantly more light overnight than a new moon. Many baitfish and predators take advantage of that extra visibility to feed after dark.
If fish have spent most of the night chasing bait, they may be less aggressive by first light. But that's only one piece of a much bigger puzzle.
Feeding Windows
Many anglers also follow "major" and "minor" bite times based on the moon's position overhead and underfoot. Sometimes these line up beautifully with periods of increased fish activity. Other days they seem to make no difference at all.
After many years offshore, I've learnt to treat these bite windows as interesting guides rather than guarantees.
Heading Offshore During a Full Moon
Going into this trip, I honestly wasn't expecting fireworks.
The forecast looked reasonable, the sea conditions were good, but the full moon sat in the back of my mind. Like plenty of anglers, I wondered whether the fish might have already fed through the night.
Rather than stay home, I decided to find out for myself.
That's one of the things I love about fishing. Sometimes the only way to answer a question is to launch the ski, head offshore and see what happens.
What Actually Happened
The forecast was almost ideal, with light winds all day and just a 1-metre swell. We crossed the Noosa Bar at first light and headed to a nearby reef to gather live bait. It took a bit of searching, but eventually we found a small patch of reef holding plenty of yakkas and quickly filled the live bait tank.
Our next stop was "The Secret Reef"—a not-so-secret little spot that many believe is the remains of an old wreck. It's surprisingly small, only about 10 square metres in size, rising roughly a metre off the seabed in around 65 metres of water. Despite its size, it regularly holds bait and attracts some impressive predators.
High tide was due around mid-morning. In the past, I've generally found this spot fishes better on the outgoing tide, so I wasn't overly confident. On top of that, I'd never fished it on the actual day of a full moon, so I wasn't sure what to expect.
Whenever I target mulloway (also known as jewfish) here, I keep my rig very simple. I use a single-hook paternoster rig with a 6 oz teardrop sinker on the bottom and a Jetcast Live Keeper Live Bait Hook positioned about a metre above it.
The reason I like this hook is that it keeps the bait alive much longer and greatly reduces the chance of the bait hooking itself. Because the hook placement is less intrusive, the bait swims far more naturally, which I believe makes it more appealing to predators. Most large fish attack a live bait head-first, so a single hook positioned through the head is usually all that's needed.
When I arrived over the reef, the Garmin sounder immediately looked promising. It was absolutely lit up with bait schools, and mixed in amongst them were several large fish marks sitting close to the structure. It certainly looked like there were fish home.
To my surprise, I hooked up within minutes. The first fish wasn't the target species, but a solid 90 cm Cobia—a great way to start the day.
After that, things slowed considerably. It was almost an hour before the next bite, which coincided with the turn of the tide. This time it was exactly what I'd come for—a beautiful 75 cm Mulloway.
With the action slowing, we decided to spend a couple of hours at the nearest Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) in search of Mahi Mahi. Unfortunately, despite perfect-looking conditions, there wasn't a single sign of them.
Rather than keep searching, we returned to the Secret Reef about two hours before low tide. It turned out to be the right decision. Not long after setting the baits again, I landed another Mulloway—this one stretching to 90 cm and a fitting way to finish the session.
Looking back over the day, it certainly wasn't the disaster many anglers would expect from fishing on a full moon. In fact, despite fishing outside what I would normally consider the "best" tide, the reef still produced quality fish. It was another reminder that while moon phases can influence fishing, they're only one piece of a much bigger puzzle.
The Biggest Lesson
One thing this trip reminded me is just how many variables influence fishing.
The moon certainly plays a role, but so do:
- water temperature
- current speed
- bait schools
- wind direction
- water clarity
- barometric pressure
- where the fish are actually holding on the day
It's easy to blame a poor session on the moon because it's something we can see. In reality, there are often half a dozen other factors having a greater influence.
My Thoughts After Years Offshore
If someone asked me today whether moon phases matter, my answer would be:
Yes... but probably not as much as many people think.
I've had fantastic sessions around the full moon.
I've also had terrible trips during what the fishing calendars describe as "perfect" moon phases.
Fishing is rarely controlled by one variable.
Experience has taught me that I'd rather fish on a full moon with good weather than stay at home waiting for the "perfect" moon phase that never arrives.
Sometimes the best fishing trip is simply the one you decided to go on.
Practical Tips
If you're planning an offshore trip around the moon, here's what I'd suggest:
- Don't automatically cancel a trip because of a full moon.
- Pay more attention to weather and sea conditions than lunar calendars.
- Learn how different locations respond to tidal movement.
- Trust what your sounder is telling you more than what a moon chart predicts.
- Keep records of your own trips. Over time you'll start to notice patterns that are unique to your local area.
Final Thoughts
One of the things I enjoy most about fishing is that there are very few absolute rules.
The moon can influence fish behaviour, but it's only one part of a constantly changing puzzle. Every trip teaches you something new if you're willing to pay attention.
This full moon trip certainly challenged some of my own assumptions.
Perhaps the biggest lesson wasn't about the moon at all—it was another reminder that experience comes from getting out there, adapting to the conditions, and never assuming you've got fishing completely figured out.
Check out all of the action from this day. Here is the video: