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At Crappie U. recently Barry Morrow briefly mentioned that a new moon really brings the fish to the shallows to spawn. On the other hand I once had a great conversation with Todd Huckabee re: The Spawn vs. water temperature and moon phase and he seemed convinced that the full moon puts them in the mood like right now! I don't have enuf experience to have a strong opinion but I'm gonna start paying attention. I know some of you scientists keep records from past years- what do you think?
Yes....enuf said lol ......Ranger
The moon has an effect on near everything on this planet in one form or another,and to some degree or another. It makes the oceans move,that is a powerful force. But with that said....I have went fishing or hunting and done just the reverse of what should have happened based on moon phase. I think sometimes the movement of game and fish varies during the day some based on the position of the moon...the overhead...under foot thing. I go to the outdoors pretty much any chance I get regardless of what conditions are. I believe wildlife have an internal clock and calendar that is in large part based on the number of hours of daylight. Other factors like weather and moon play a role....but in large part they know when based on the changes in the number of daylight hours.
I reckon some like to do it with the lights on, and some with the lights off. If the moon was the factor for the spawn, why wouldn't they all spawn at the same time instead of the pattern moving North as the waters warm up. I think of this each time someone claims the Moon is the cause. It might be some sort of trigger, but I personally think the water temps make the biggest difference. Does the Male work that nest and holler, "Hey Baby, I have the bed made"! Then does the Female say, "Not tonight, I have a headache because the light is too bright".
I will say the night bite during the spawn is the way to go. Daytime will cause them to move deeper as the sun gets brighter and higher. I've heard the experts say the males stay on the beds to guard them after the female has had her time. I don't think they all stay.
Disclaimer....I did NOT attend Crappie U and am NOT a fishy biologist. I just know what I've seen for 48 years of Crappie fishing.
What cracks me up about the spawn are the do gooders that refuse to fish it in order to let the Crappie do their thing. They say it's just not right to take a fish when they are trying to procreate. Their logic is ignorant as anytime someone takes a fish, it inhibits their ability to procreate.
[QUOTE=Crappie Reaper
What cracks me up about the spawn are the do gooders that refuse to fish it in order to let the Crappie do their thing. They say it's just not right to take a fish when they are trying to procreate. Their logic is ignorant as anytime someone takes a fish, it inhibits their ability to procreate.[/QUOTE]
Great point Reaper! The editors at Outdoor Life miss you- give em a call.
Does the moon affect you, does it affect your dog, cat, goldfish or whatever animal you have? Does it affect crappie? Many swear to it but I don't plug in. If anything they say the 4 best times to fish a day are the sun rise, sun set, moon rise and moon set but this I'm still not plugging into this either. Also heard a full moon is better for night time fishing but I'm asleep by then. These are my thoughts so don't take them to the bank. I'm more of a believer of fronts and barometric pressure.
I worked nights most of the time and there seemed to be more activity when there was a big bright moon than nights when it was dark.