Tides, moon phases etc etc... Very confusing, please help!!!?

[Oelof]

Hi everyone,

I'm sure this topic has been discussed many times before, but it's  such a difficult thing to work out some times. Especially for someone that does  not know exactly what it all means...

Certain moon phases, combined with certain tides, combined with  other things I don't even understand = BEST FISHING CONDITIONS AT CERTAIN DATES  AND TIMES OF THE MONTH!!!

For me, the information is way to complicated to compile all into  one piece of information trying to figure out when the best fishing days and  times will be.

I searched on the web and came across this website...   

http://www.tides4fishing.com/

It' seams they compile all the information needed to determine  best fishing dates and times. They have not taken wind and weather into  account, but that is not to difficult to figure out yourself.

Just wondering if someone has made use of this website before, and  how accurate the information is?? Or is this there a better, more local website  for this?

Does it all even matter???



 

[SAfish]

I have used the website before but I think there are too many factors that play a role to be able to predict when the fishing is going to be good. Some people swear by it but I have not been able to use it with much success. My philosophy is that if you have a bait in the water and the fish is hungry you will catch it. I have blanked in near perfect conditions and have caught good fish in poor conditions. Although tides are important, other factors like barometer readings and water temperature also play a big role. My 2c.

Tides explained here: http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=8556.0

[Oelof]

Thanks SAfish,


Do you then know of a website where I can check the barometer readings and water temrature?

[SAfish]

I have a Samsung S5 phone and use the Accuweather app and it gives me the Baro reading.

[SAfish]

Try Foreca. http://www.foreca.com/South_Africa/Knysna

[chrisquinton]

The moon phases (solunar calendars) and website predictions are far less important than the weather itself on the day concerned. They might be valuable if our weather was always constant. But it isnt, and the weather has the greatest impact on fish activity.

I use wind guru for forecasting this.
in order of importance - watch the barometer forecast, then the tides, the swell, and the winds..

[isivuba]

Going to give this link a bash this Dec.... thanks for sharing Oelof.

[Lofty]

Try Foreca. http://www.foreca.com/South_Africa/Knysna

thanks for the link SAFish...looks good.Yes,I agree,the most important part is getting the weather right,usually better on a rising barometer(after a storm)or the first part of a dropping barometer(approaching storm),if water clarity,water temperature,time of day and tides for your target species are taken into account and is favourable then your chances increase...don't only be a fair weather fisherman like many are,if you feel that everything alligns weatherwise then give it a go...even if it's sometimes...a fish on the line warms one up very fast...

[Ziggy]

Thanks SAfish,


Do you then know of a website where I can check the barometer readings and water temrature?

For pressure predictions - see windguru.com - set your location and you will get the screen in the first pic below - and you will see pressure prediction  at the bottom (circled in red). You can also click on the little squiggly icon (small red circle) and a new screen will open - see the second pic - this is a basically a graphic display of the first page - the arrow shows the pressure


you can also register on http://www.fishingreminder.com/ - and set your location, and ask it to send reminders of the best fishing days (using the solunar calender) - it does all the sun and moon thing for you


there is also http://www.wtides.com/ where you register and get access to the tides in your location - The tide graph can be overlaid with a solunar chart to give an interesting version of the Maori Fishing Calendar (solunar again) See the third pic - red circle is best time


However - bear in mind what SAfish says "if you have a bait in the water and the fish is hungry you will catch it. I have blanked in near perfect conditions and have caught good fish in poor conditions. "


After checking all the above - and your favourite weather site, you can try and predict all sorts of things if it makes you feel better - but, when everything is technically  "aligned" using,  all the above tools and you don't catch fish dont be dissapointed- you can always find a reason why you don't catch fish!


Just go fishing when you can.....and forget the fancy predictions!

[isivuba]

Ziggy, I did not know that windguru can do that.     

[Ziggy]

Ziggy, I did not know that windguru can do that.     

Some ballies are sharp!

[isivuba]

Ziggy, I did not know that windguru can do that.     

Some ballies are sharp!

 

[Oelof]

The moon phases (solunar calendars) and website predictions are far less important than the weather itself on the day concerned. They might be valuable if our weather was always constant. But it isnt, and the weather has the greatest impact on fish activity.

I use wind guru for forecasting this.
in order of importance - watch the barometer forecast, then the tides, the swell, and the winds..

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the info...

Can you maybe give me an idea of what barometer pressure, tide's, size of swell & wind speeds are best for fishing?

[Lofty]

Try Foreca. http://www.foreca.com/South_Africa/Knysna

thanks for the link SAFish...looks good.Yes,I agree,the most important part is getting the weather right,usually better on a rising barometer(after a storm)or the first part of a dropping barometer(approaching storm),if water clarity,water temperature,time of day and tides for your target species are taken into account and is favourable then your chances increase...don't only be a fair weather fisherman like many are,if you feel that everything alligns weatherwise then give it a go...even if it's sometimes...a fish on the line warms one up very fast...

besides this,generally 2 hrs before high till 2 hrs after is better depending on spot,size of swell-there usually has to be some white working water,wind direction-different winds have different effects on the water and temperature,here in Mosselbay the Southerly wind is to be avoided at all cost.Some wind directions can be bad for certain areas of a bay but good for the opposite side of the bay/peninsula..if that makes sense,hope that helped,there are no secret formula to work out best days,tide,wind,barometer,water temperature and moon-phase,these should all be looked at and taken into account to decide for yourself when and where to go wet a line or not...

[RobinF]

I have used the website before but I think there are too many factors that play a role to be able to predict when the fishing is going to be good. Some people swear by it but I have not been able to use it with much success. My philosophy is that if you have a bait in the water and the fish is hungry you will catch it. I have blanked in near perfect conditions and have caught good fish in poor conditions. Although tides are important, other factors like barometer readings and water temperature also play a big role. My 2c.

Tides explained here: http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=8556.0

  SAFish, good advice.

[REEFMAN]

In my opinion, those Solunar charts are a lot of baloney... been using them for the last 3 or 4 years and they mean diddly squat if the wind is blowing and the sea is on it's head.
You need to have:
1. a fishable strength wind and wind direction
2. a moderate sea
THEN you can cast a line.
If you have 1 and 2 above consistently, then you can start looking at co-inciding your fishing times with Solunar charts - high tides with sunset and sundown, moonrise and moonset, barometer rising or falling etc etc.
Unfortunately, this is not a luxury that us GP anglers have when we go on a fishing trip... we fish when we see the sea... come hell or high water... sometimes you get lucky with the conditions...

Most important factor for me is the wind and the sea conditions, without which, you're wasting your time.

[Ziggy]

In my opinion, those Solunar charts are a lot of baloney... been using them for the last 3 or 4 years and they mean diddly squat if the wind is blowing and the sea is on it's head.
You need to have:
1. a fishable strength wind and wind direction
2. a moderate sea
THEN you can cast a line.
If you have 1 and 2 above consistently, then you can start looking at co-inciding your fishing times with Solunar charts - high tides with sunset and sundown, moonrise and moonset, barometer rising or falling etc etc.
Unfortunately, this is not a luxury that us GP anglers have when we go on a fishing trip... we fish when we see the sea... come hell or high water... sometimes you get lucky with the conditions...

Most important factor for me is the wind and the sea conditions, without which, you're wasting your time.

100%!! about the conditions being the prime factor. I just like to look at the solunar stuff to make me feel that I might be luckier!


I go fish when conditions feel right - wind, tides and pressure - sometimes I just go and fish .......

[Oelof]

Thanks for all the advise everyone!!

I agree with Reefman, us Vaalies dont have the luxury of deciding when is the best time to fish and when not. When I get down there Im going to clap it, no matter what the conditions. Its not so much about catching a big fish for me, its about being free to do what you love. The feeling that I get from being alone on a beach with a rod and reel in my hand already makes it woth it!!!

Have a good evening guys!!!

[Lofty]

do you only do spinning and dropshot fishing..?Any bait fishing or not...?

[Oelof]

do you only do spinning and dropshot fishing..?Any bait fishing or not...?

Hi Lofty,

I have mainly done bait fishing in the past, but I'm looking for a new challange. I absolutely love bass fishing so naturally I thought I would try spinning etc. i bought a new setup a few weeks ago. A Shimano Vengeance 10ft rod with a Penn Sargus 5000 spinning reel.
I also bought some spoons, poppers, plugs, buctail jigs as well as paddle tail jigs for dropshot. So I cant wait to give it a go...