In response to a question from one of our members: BassBoy



Jason,

Lately there has been more of a focus on not only lunar, but also solar impact. The studies have produced calendars called "Astro Tables". These tables take into account both the sun and moon. So solar/lunar tables differ from lunar tables, because a lunar table is focused on the moon's position in relationship to Earth.

In general, the position of the sun and moon in relationship to Earth affects the creatures that live here.

From the smallest to the largest creatures, there is an impact that can be observed during various solar/lunar periods. Scientists have studied and documented the cause and effect that solar and lunar energies have on various species. They have created calendars to illustrate when these activity levels are rising, at peek and falling. As it pertains to bass, we can benefit from this information by choosing the best periods of time to be on the water fishing.

As MbBass said in the other post "Fish are more active and feed more during these phases"

These tables can really help if you are a "lunker hunter", or "record chaser". To over simplify, you chances are better of catching a trophy bass during the better sol-lunar phases.

Another factor that is impacted for bass is spawning. When the moon is full during spawning season, you will get the greatest amount of bass moving onto/making spawning beds. The next concentrated move would be the following new moon. The full moon always has more impact on spawning.

Another example would be in the fall, solar changes trigger the movement of bait fish (like shad) to migrate towards the backs of creeks. This happens when the sun begins to set sooner (visible sign), you would also notice that in deer hunting this coincides with "the rut".

I hope you find this helpful. I also put some third-party stuff below which might explain more.

Brendan


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EXAMPLE TABLE AND DESCRIPTION FROM B.A.S.S.:



About the tables

Astro Tables 2008 are far more effective than "moon tables" because they take into account critical solar energies as well as lunar. Some tips on their use:


The "Best Days" column is based on the ever-changing positions of the sun and the moon, rating each day on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the number, the more solar/lunar influence that day is experiencing (see "Value" column or corresponding black bars).


The "Lunar Periods" section lists the times the moon is overhead and underfoot each day. The length of a lunar period can range from one hour to three-and-one-half hours, depending on a number of important lunar cycles, such as how close the moon is to the earth that day and how high its orbit is. Also, the section uses solar symbols (see key at bottom of each month) to alert you when a lunar period is occurring at the same time as a solar period (eg, dawn, high-noon and dusk).


PrimeTime data are based on solar/lunar research at a leading college of astrophysics and our own research pond/wildlife area. Annual data is supplied by the U.S. Naval Observatory. All lunar times are adjusted to the center of your time zone and for Daylight Saving Time.


The table shown here is from the PrimeTimes Pocket Calendar. It is a scaled-down, quick-reference version of its parent publication, the PrimeTimes Wall Calendar, which is recommended for those wishing to find more complete data on the best days and times to go fishing and hunting for the entire year. Visit http://www.primetimes2.com for more information.

DATA SOURCE

If you can you should put one up at the beggining of every month . If it's not to much trouble . I see that little spike a few dayz ago when i caught all those big bass . I guess those things are accurate . Thanx

You have to purchase those calendars. The one I posted was only a sample. In Fishermen has a lunar chart online, but does not take into account the sun.

I will tell you one thing about these charts, they are pretty darn good to use.

Try this next time you are out on the water and start catching alot of fish or you see deer or other wildlife out in the middle of the day grazing, take note of the time (if your like me you will have to write it down or you will forget) then when you get home compare it to the charts! You will find that the times and the days that are best are going to be pretty close to what you observed.

better yet try writing all that information down for each fishing trip that you make and then look at it at the end of the year!(just a side note to those that don't do this, A log book is a fishermans best friend, but that is a whole article in its own)

You will be surprised.

Solunar Tables rule! Next time you see a big flock of birds feeding in your yard and a rabbit out in the middle of the day, check the chart for your time zone. Betcha you got a major period going on! Thats why I love to fish from 11AM til 1 PM on the full moon days. There always a major around noon and the toads will move up real shallow and be aggressive!

Conley,

Anytime you want to write that article... please feel free. Sounds like it would be a really big hit amongst the readers...

In a way, if you really think about it... these charts can tell you something the future... seriously, think about it...

or maybe I've been watching too many re-runs of the "X Files"...

I have checked the times and dates on the photos of the big bass i caught . And sure enuff it was during a peek time on the chart . That has convinced me to buy the astro table chart thing from bass resource . Maybe it will come in handy for hunting ? Has anyone used it for hunting yet ?

"Moon Up Moon Down"
By John Alden Knight

It's a must read for those interested in this theory. Knight was an outdoor writer who ended up lecturing about this at Columbia. He is a member of the Hunting and Fishing Hall of Fame. His son Richard , an outdoor icon himself has spent the last 30 years fine tuning his fathers work. He did a lot of work on Barometric pressure influencing the bite as well.

Just sayin

so anybody got one, they should post it,what it look 4 tommorrow the 24th

Man Bass fishing is more complicated then trying to figure out what to get my Ol for Valentines day.

Between Mars and Jupiter,The barometric pressure,Cold fronts,Lure,colors,presentation,sent,Its no wonder I get lucky if I catch a cold. I dont understand how you guys do it. It also frustrates me to go out day after day and not catch a thing.

I just dont know where to begin. To be honest this year I am seriously considering not bass fishing a single day after spawn.
I have a rough plan to bass fish all through spring the catfish all summer.

Course now dont get me wrong Im very happy just being out but I caught 1 bass last year after the post spawn was over. Meh I guess I gotta keep plugin away. This will be my 4th year Bass fishing Im hoping for good things...at least in the spring!

I'm telling you Bassboy, keep her off the computer! The chart is at the top of the page! If it got any bigger it would blot out the sun and put us into the next ice age!

OK, this chart is the one I use. I have posted it many times before. Just make sure you save the link:

http://www.in-fisherman.com/reference/solunar/calendars/




I also added the tables to the BASSIN' USA EVENTS CALENDAR listed on the first of the month through April 2009 (that's all they have at the moment).

Here's the March 2009 Lunar and Astro Tables from B.A.S.S

My garmin GPS has something like that on it, best days for fishing and or hunting. Is that what you guys/gals are talking about ?

Simply stated, YES.

Go back to the begining and read the first post and work your way back down...

I read the post Brendan, But you mention the Astro being more accurate than the lunar, I don't know if my devise is both or just Lunar. I guess best thing to do is read the booklet it came with.

I just got up a little while ago, Thinking about how fast we caught those fish yesterday. So I remembered the lunar and astro tables chart Brendan put up on the site. I searched and hit the link. Wow Sat/28/2009 best time to fish was 1:15pm - 4:35pm we where fishing between those time periods. They are effective.

They really do work well... I wouldn't post something like that unless I tried it for myself first...

I got a buddy that uses these tables regularly. He says they work everytime.

I have a hand held Garmin I use for hunting, The times where right on, give or take a half an hour. I'm impressed. I did not use that function last year but I will this year.