Best Fishing Times — How to Find When Fish Are Actually Feeding
Solunar periods, barometric pressure, tides, and moon phase — calculated for your exact location to find the best fishing times every day.
Why the Best Fishing Times Aren't Just Dawn and Dusk
Dawn and dusk are productive fishing times — but they're not the whole picture. The best fishing times are calculated from multiple overlapping variables: solunar periods driven by sun and moon positions (which create peak feeding windows throughout the day, not just at the edges), barometric pressure trends (which determine whether fish are comfortable and actively feeding or sitting inactive), water temperature (which governs fish metabolism and appetite), and tidal state for sea and estuarine fishing. When these variables align — a major solunar period coinciding with stable pressure and the right temperature — you get exceptional fishing. Fish On! calculates exactly when these windows occur at your location.
Solunar Tables — The Science of Best Fishing Times
Solunar theory was documented by John Alden Knight in 1936 after analysing decades of fishing and hunting records. The core finding: fish activity peaks predictably in relation to the positions of the sun and moon. Major solunar periods occur twice daily when the moon is overhead or directly underfoot — these last 1-2 hours and represent the strongest feeding windows. Minor periods at moonrise and moonset produce moderate feeding activity. The theory has been tested, challenged, and consistently upheld by anglers' experience over 90 years. Fish On! calculates solunar periods to the minute for your exact GPS coordinates, presented as an hourly bite probability chart so you can plan your session around the best feeding windows.
Barometric Pressure and the Best Fishing Times
Experienced anglers treat barometric pressure as the most important pre-session indicator — more than temperature, more than moon phase. Fish have swim bladders filled with gas that adjust to maintain neutral buoyancy at different depths. When atmospheric pressure changes rapidly, this process becomes uncomfortable, and fish stop feeding until they adjust. A stable pressure (whether high or low) produces the best fishing — fish are in equilibrium and willing to feed. A slowly falling pressure is often the best condition of all. A rapid rise following a cold front commonly switches fish off for 12-24 hours. Fish On! shows current pressure, the 6-hour trend, and a 24-hour forecast trend — so you always know whether conditions favour feeding fish.
How to Use Best Fishing Times in Practice
Open Fish On!'s forecast for your intended venue before booking a session. Check the 5-day composite score — identify the highest-rated day in your window. On that day, look at the hourly bite probability chart to find the major solunar period and cross-reference with the pressure trend. If you have flexibility, plan to be on the bank for the 2-hour window either side of the major period. If conditions look poor (rapid pressure rise, extreme temperatures), consider rescheduling rather than wasting a session. Over time, correlating your catch log data with the forecast will reveal which conditions are most significant at your specific venues — personalising the forecast to your own fishing.
Synchronising Tide Cycles with Solunar Peaks
For anglers targeting estuaries, tidal rivers, or the coast, the interaction between moon phases and tidal movement is as critical as any solunar peak. The highest activity levels frequently occur when a solunar major period overlaps with the turn of the tide. As water movement peaks, oxygen levels increase and baitfish are pushed out of hiding, creating a feeding frenzy for predatory species. You should track the specific timings of your local high and low waters alongside your solunar forecast to identify these 'golden hours'. When a solunar table suggests a peak, look for the 'slack water' window just before the tide starts to move again. This is when shy-biting fish often gain the confidence to feed heavily. By logging the exact start and end of these tidal shifts within your FishHook diary alongside the observed activity, you can start to see patterns for your specific local mark. This level of precision moves you beyond guesswork, allowing you to time your arrival and setup to coincide with these precise, high-percentage windows, regardless of the time of day.
Tracking Water Temperature and Weather Trends for Long-Term Forecasting
While daily solunar data provides a snapshot of potential activity, your long-term success relies on understanding how localised weather trends influence fish behaviour over several days. A sudden drop in air pressure or a cold front can negate even the most promising solunar forecast, causing fish to retreat into deeper water or become lethargic. By consistently recording water temperature, wind direction, and air pressure shifts in your personal fishing record, you build a historical database that serves as your own predictive model. Start noting how many days of stable pressure are required for the fish at your local day ticket venue to hit peak feeding levels. If you notice that bream or carp become active on the third day of a south-westerly wind after a temperature rise, you can use your logged data to predict future windows of opportunity. Integrating this retrospective analysis with live environmental data allows you to distinguish between 'lucky' sessions and predictable behaviour, eventually leading to more informed decisions about when to stay home and when to commit to a long session on the bank.