Using the Solunar Tables to Catch More Fish!
Professional anglers will use everything possible to improve their results in a fishing competition. Sometimes a scientific knowledge used by top professionals that has been around for many years simply gets overlooked by the average angler because it is just hard to believe that something this accurate at predicting actice feeding periods can be so readily available. All living creatures are more active and feeding during certain specific periods of the day. Research collected for nearly a century spurred John Alden Knight to publish his theories and predictions in 1926 that he appropriately named Solunar Tables. Although the original research included over 30 different contributing factors, Knight's published Solunar Table findings are mainly based on the relationship between the movements of the sun, moon along with the tides they create.
John Alden Knight (1890-1966) Angler's Hall of Fame, banker, syndicated writer, fly-tier, hunter, naturalist, casting expert, angling filmmaker and developer of the Solunar Tables. “Jack” Knight as he was known by his friends, helped popularize a simple yellow and red bucktail streamer (a.k.a. “The Assassin”) which he redubbed the “Mickey Finn” because of its ability to knock-out brookies and rainbow trout. His love for hunting and the natural world held him to be an early proponent of catch and release: “one nice thing about fishing – you can always put ’em back.” His greatest legacy was methodically codifying the rhythmic effects of the sun and moon phases on fish (and game) into peaks and troughs by longitude and latitude in his Solunar Tables developed in 1926 and published in 1936 to immediate acclaim (and some scoffing too). In addition to several noted hunting books, he is also remembered for his books The Theory and Technique of Fresh Water Angling, The Complete Book of Fly Casting and Modern Fly Casting.... c/o Wikipedia.
Tidal Movements
Hey, wait just a minute! Here in Ontario we fish in lakes and reservoirs so what does tidal movements have to do with our fishing?
Believe it or not, all water is affected by the tides which have been influenced by both the sun and the moon. In the case of lakes or ponds, this tidal movement is so minimal it is not measurable but research has proven that any raising or lowering of water levels, however infinitesimal, affects fish behavior. The overall impact of the tide will also vary by species. For example, some species (like bass or pike) tend to be ambush feeders, so their internal perception of rising water can trigger an instinct to move shallower and get into a position for attack. Another species like walleye or lake trout may not move nearly as shallow but they will move from very deep home waters to some known basic underwater formations where they are more likely to encounter prey all triggered by tidal affects.
The rising or lowering of water level in a lake might be imperceptible to humans but it is felt by fish simply because it is built into their DNA. Anyone who has tried to catch fish in a reservoir while the dam was being opened to release the runoff water knows it does affect fishing as it moves the baitfish shallower. On the opposite side, during the early spring runoff, bass will flock to those recently flooded areas and be feeding in areas that aren't normally even underwater. Couple the natural tidal movements with other manmade occurrences that will affect fish activity and we anglers should start to see why understanding these Solunar Tables needs to become very important in our planning process.
Researching the Human Animal in us all
Yes, we human animals are also being researched continually in relationship to the Solunar Tables. Statistics have shown that more violent crimes are committed during major active Solunar Periods as well as more police arrests being recorded. More babies are born and more retail sales are being made. In industrial factories, more piece work is getting done and overall the workers are generally a lot more productive during major active Solunar Periods. In the forests, more animals are harvested and on the water more fish are being caught. These research statistics have shown scientists that something was happening. John Alden Knight used his theory and research numbers to develop specific tables to prove that the actual specific times of these active periods are very predictable.
Are Solunar Tables Perfect?
When it comes to fishing, Solunar Tables are never going to become the perfect predictor of when you will catch fish. There are just too many other factors involved like weather fronts and barometric pressure. These predicted solunar periods are just one single part of our very complicated planet's systems. If you don't consider all the additional elements that are involved in the overall situation, you will probably give up on these Solunar Tables fairly quickly, especially if you aren't immediately getting the miraculous results you were expecting. For example. the Solunar Tables might say that you have a major feeding period between 7am to 9am on your favorite lake. You head to the lake ready for some great fishing results. But you arrive to find the water is extremely muddy from a heavy rain the day before. The Solunar Period is correct but another unexpected element has already ruined it for you.
One of the most illustrative examples of how the Solunar Tables can mislead anglers is in the case of walleye. It is well established that walleye are particularly active at night, with their feeding behavior intensifying during a full moon when their vision surpasses that of their prey. Additionally, the moonlight creates favorable silhouettes for the prey. Consider a scenario where there is a significant Solunar Period indicating heavy feeding on a bright moon night. Based on my experience, if you plan to fish for walleye the following day, regardless of what the Solunar Tables indicate, you are likely to encounter a challenging day of fishing. This difficulty is compounded if the sun is shining brightly. The reason for this is that the walleye have already indulged in a substantial feeding period under optimal conditions the night before. In this case the solunar periods worked against you.
By contrast, if there was little or no moon that same night before the trip, the feeding walleye no longer had a major sight advantage over their prey. Usually you can expect the walleye feeding activity to be more normal or even possibly better than normal that next day. Knowing when to expect the best feeding activity and where you will want to be fishing that day can save an angler a lot of wasted time.
Developing a Solunar Tables Fishing Strategy
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Once you recognize the benefits of the Solunar Tables, it is essential to formulate a strategy for utilizing them effectively. Personally, I find great enthusiasm for fishing during the primary two-hour windows from 7 AM to 9 AM, regardless of the species I aim to catch, as these low-light conditions tend to stimulate active feeding among many fish. However, it is common for fish activity to diminish around 9 AM. Following this, there may be a gap of 4 to 5 hours until the next minor feeding period resumes. At this juncture, I face a decision: continue fishing for any lingering fish or enter a search mode until the next minor period arrives. During these search phases, I have often discovered promising fishing locations and successfully caught several sizable roaming fish.
If mapping is not for you, at the very least, utilize your fishfinder to explore various areas for features or structures. There are certain times of the year when you might unexpectedly encounter large schools of fish in locations you would not typically associate with them. Additionally, you may come across intriguing underwater formations, such as islands or rock piles, which are likely to attract fish during the subsequent active feeding periods. Mark these spots with a waypoint and return during a feeding window. The key takeaway is to develop a strategy that makes productive use of any fishing down periods, thereby increasing your chances of locating and catching fish.
In order to get the most accurate tables I always purchase the annual booklet from the original author ($9). Once you purchase the Solunar Tables you will need to add or subtract minutes depending on your location. This simple calculation will all be explained fully in the booklet. For Garden Island's geographic location add 20 minutes to each time listed. Order your own copy of John Alden Knight's Original Solunar Tables now.