Best Fishing Times Explained

When is the best time to go fishing? Fish don’t bite at random. Their feeding times are influenced by the sun, moon, tides, and weather. That’s why FishingReminder shows you today’s bite times and sends free reminders so you never miss out.

How We Calculate the Best Fishing Times

• Major Times: Moon Up & Moon Down
• Minor Times: Moon Rise & Moon Set
• Extra Ratings: Bonus if these happen near Sunrise or Sunset
• Peak Days: Full Moon & New Moon = 4 stars
• Ultimate Times: Major/Minor + Sunrise/Sunset + Full/New Moon 🌕

Why the Sun and Moon Matter

The Solunar Theory explains how the Sun (Sol) and Moon (Lunar) influence animal behavior. Their gravitational pull affects tides, bait movement, spawning, and fish feeding. Hunters and anglers worldwide use these cycles to their advantage.

What About the Weather?

Weather can boost or kill a fishing trip. Keep an eye on:

• Barometric Pressure: Rising = better action, falling = slower bites
• Storm Fronts: Fish feed up before bad weather, then again as it clears
• Wind: Strength and direction affect where fish hold

Why Use FishingReminder?

FishingReminder makes it easy:

• Get automatic email reminders before peak fishing days
• See daily & monthly Solunar forecasts
• Location auto-detected, or pick your favorite spot on the map
• Includes nearby tide stations & live weather

Bonus: Māori Fishing Calendar

We also include time-tested ratings from the Māori Fishing Calendar, which assigns a value to each day of the moon cycle.

Before You Head Out

• Check FishingReminder before every trip
• Plan around today’s Major & Minor Times
• Watch weather & tide patterns
• Use the right bait and tactics for your species

More About the Solunar Theory

If you’ve ever wondered why some days the fish bite like crazy and on others it feels like the water is empty, you’re not alone. This mystery has fascinated anglers for centuries. In the 1920s, an outdoorsman named John Alden Knight set out to solve it. He combined years of fishing records, tide charts, and lunar data — and discovered a clear pattern. His research became known as the Solunar Theory, one of the most widely used tools in sportfishing today.

What Is the Solunar Theory?

The word Solunar is a mix of “Solar” (Sun) and “Lunar” (Moon). The theory explains that fish and other wildlife are more active at certain times of day based on the positions of the sun and moon. In other words: fish have feeding windows that are directly linked to natural cycles.

Why Does It Work?

The moon’s gravitational pull doesn’t just create tides — it influences all bodies of water, large and small. Fish respond to subtle changes in water pressure, light, and tidal flow. These changes trigger instinctive feeding behavior. When you align moon rise, moon set, moon overhead, and moon underfoot with sunrise or sunset, the conditions create peak bite periods. That’s why many trophy catches are landed during these exact windows.

Major and Minor Feeding Times

• Major Periods: Occur when the moon is directly overhead (Moon Up) or directly underfoot (Moon Down). These are usually the best fishing times of the day.
• Minor Periods: Happen at Moon Rise and Moon Set. They are shorter but can still provide excellent action, especially when close to dawn or dusk.

Full Moon, New Moon, and Peak Days

The strongest Solunar days occur during a Full Moon or New Moon. That’s when the sun, moon, and earth align, producing higher tidal forces and more intense feeding activity. Many experienced anglers plan their trips around these moon phases for the highest chance of success.

How Anglers Use Solunar Times

Solunar tables have been published in newspapers and magazines for decades, but now you can get them instantly with tools like FishingReminder. By selecting your exact location, you’ll see personalized bite times that take into account:

• Your geographic coordinates (latitude & longitude)
• Your time zone and daylight savings adjustments
• Nearby tide stations and weather patterns

When you combine Solunar Theory with knowledge of your target species, bait choice, and local fishing conditions, you’ll dramatically improve your catch rate and time on the water. It’s not magic — it’s simply fishing with nature’s rhythm instead of against it.