What do freshwater anglers,
such as largemouth bass
anglers, use to determine
the best times to catch fish?

Saltwater anglers know that the best times often depend on the tides.

But there are no tides in freshwater.

So what do freshwater anglers use?

The moon.

Many freshwater anglers believe that
the position of the moon influences their quarry either to be active or to rest.

They believe the fish become most active and feed, or become most willing to bite, when the moon is either directly overhead or directly on the other side of the earth from their location.

Both times are when the moon exerts the most gravitational pull on the given location.

The Moon Clock, from ESPN’s Doug Hannon, known as The Bass Professor, shows the periods when fish are most likely
to be active or inactive each day, depending on the moon.

The excellent periods for fishing occur twice a day for about 2 hours apiece, when the moon is directly above and directly on the other side of the earth.

Fish reportedly become most active or most willing to bite during the excellent periods.

But exactly halfway between the two excellent periods, when the moon’s gravitational pull is weakest, is considered a good period for fishing.

If fish are going to bite during times other than the excellent periods, they’re reportedly most likely to bite during the good periods, lasting about 1 ½ hours, twice a day.

The Moon Clock shows all of these periods for each day when the clock’s wheel is turned to align the month and date.

The clock also shows reportedly excellent days to fish, or days surrounding the dark moon, and good days to fish, or days
surrounding the full moon.

For more info, or to order, visit the Doug Hannon Moon Clock Web page.