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FISHING: Lunar Cycle Ends Late Night Feeding

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Dave Douglass

Published: December 30, 2007

The last quarter moon occurs tomorrow at 7:51 a.m. and this means that dominate late night feeding migration comes to an end — or at least reduces half in duration and intensity — and the beginning of a midday bite feeding migration.

The best time to be on the water for the next three days is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. However, if you have been "on fish" already during the early morning, there is a chance that you might hook into a larger bass between 6-7 a.m., but the chances lessen each day for this to happen.

The moon cycles this month reverse the trend of the past fall-pattern-months, with the new moon occurring on Jan. 8 at 11:37 a.m. and the full moon on Jan. 22 at 1:35 p.m. This is welcomed news for the daytime fishermen and anglers who have been virtually shutdown by the lunar events happening near midnight over the last four months. This will swing the larger daily feeding migration cycle 180 degrees and trigger the spawning season, which has been held back by unseasonable weather patterns.

Today, the barometric pressure is forecasted to drop steadily, and if this happens to be the case, look for the projected 9 a.m. start time to change in accordance with it. The larger bass always seem to start feeding an hour or so after the barometric pressure starts to decline and depending on how long the pressure drops, will determine how long the larger bass feed as well as the total number of bass to participate in the natural environmental event.

Fishing Facts

It is a fact that the lake's food chain operates in an orderly manner meaning, environmental changes trigger the smallest of the food chain first, followed by the next smallest, and so on until the larger fish move in to feed on the smaller fish who are feeding or have finished feeding. So if you see gators lying in plain view, there is a very good chance the feeding migration session has ended or is near the end.

Tournament News

The Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public and will be held on Wednesday on Lake Josephine from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp entry fee is $30 per boat and one person may fish alone if you do not have a partner. For information, contact Paul Tardiff at (863) 385-8007 or (863) 446-1310, e-mail at bassbutchie60@aol.com or call Dwight Ameling at (863) 471-3305.

American Bass Anglers Istokpoga South District 28 will be holding their first tournament of the new season on Lake Istokpoga on Saturday. This is a member's only tournament and if you are interested in becoming a member or would like more information contact Ted Moore at (863) 946-0036 or visit the Web site at americanbassanglers.com. Weigh-in time is 3 p.m. however it's a good idea to get there early at the Route 98 Istokpoga Park ramp in Lorida. You may join at the ramp — cash only — prior to safelight launch.

Extreme Bass Istokpoga Division will be holding their first event of the new season on Jan. 6 at the Route 98 Istokpoga Park ramp in Lorida. This is a member's only tournament and to find out more information, contact John Woods at (863) 412-9095. You may join at the ramp — cash only — prior to safelight launch. Weigh-in time is at 3 p.m. at the Route 98 boat ramp.

Dave Douglass is a Bass fishing guide and teacher, bass tournament angler and also an officer of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes, Inc. You can reach him at (863) 381-8474, email davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org or visit the Web sites reds-bass-fishing-guides.com and sos-floridalakes.org.

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