Solunar Theory - Fact or Fiction?
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Soft Bait Fishing
Forum Description: Anything to do with this latest and greatest way of catching our favourite species
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29146
Printed Date: 05 Nov 2026 at 7:09am
Topic: Solunar Theory - Fact or Fiction?
Posted By: _macca__
Subject: Solunar Theory - Fact or Fiction?
Date Posted: 06 May 2008 at 10:47pm
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Hi I have been reading about the solunar theory which states (basically) that the best time for fishing each day is when the moon is directly over head or underneath the exact spot you are. When the moon is in "transition". Link to article here www.solunar.com Any support or not for this idea? And any application soft baits or is it more applicable to bait fishing? |
Replies:
Posted By: TwoSpoons
Date Posted: 07 May 2008 at 11:12am
| It ties in with the consenus that the Manukau fishes best on the outgoing tide, and it worked for me yesterday. For the Manukau the moon is at zenith around 2.5 to 3 hours after hightide. |
Posted By: Amateur
Date Posted: 07 May 2008 at 1:47pm
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Ken Ring does a "fishing by the moon" column in NZ Fishing World magazine. He states much the same, moon directly over north or underfoot for best fishing. He also states that the Manakau fishes best 1 hour after high tide, 2nd best 1 hour after low tide, Waitemata is best 4 hours after high tide, 2nd best 4 hours after low tide.
I have only been a fishing nut for a year so my input is probably of little relivance but I have found there is only 1 guarantee in fishing, if you don't have a hook in the water you won't catch fish!  ------------- No half measures! |
Posted By: roddholder
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 4:59pm
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this theory wont stand up. been disproved too many times. fish get hungry, fish see/ smell bait, fish eat. end of story ------------- she was only a fishermans daughter, but she reeled at the sight of my rod!. |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 9:14pm
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Thiers a much better way to tell when bite time is .....ring Damo
------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: burwood
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 9:20pm
| that is true actually-the man has gills |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 9:22pm
And very easy to bribe .......lion reds where its at  ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
burwood wrote:Posted By: Reel Magic
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 10:08pm
| Nah, easier than that, just watch OF2FSH, if he is eating a pie, the fish must be hungry too. |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 10:21pm
in the boat i take the bbq and cook up culinary delights like ...cheese sizzlers in bread,venison sasages in bread,beef sasages in bread and some times pork snarlers on bread....sauce is definately on the menu as is corona.....pies my friend are for work only as an hard working bloke i need brain food ...big ben pies are "brain food"...im pushing for them to be introduced into primary schools instead of sandwiches and milk  ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 10:59pm
"...big ben pies are "brain food"...im pushing for them to be introduced into primary schools instead of sandwiches and milk "
 I had my first big ben in 1969 ( greazy spoon outfit in Taupo) & developed a likeing for the buggars on the spot.
My body shape ratio of 2x1 reflects the years of indulgence but sadly the brain power isn't in the same league.
Maybe I chose the wrong flavour?
 What would you recommend of2fsh?
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Posted By: NZTurtle
Date Posted: 09 May 2008 at 6:14am
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OH2FSH,
Being one focussed on culinary excellence, do you partake in the pie sandwich? Two pieces of bread, and ocean of sauce and one Big Ben's finest as filling?
Used to be the favourite at school!
T
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Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 09 May 2008 at 8:33am
Ahh the ol' pie sandwich.. been to long. I wonder what I'll have for breakfast today.... 
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Posted By: Elpescador
Date Posted: 09 May 2008 at 9:59am
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Wanye get yourself over to cods place i spied a frezzer full of pies and he was even trying to give them away!!!! I was tempted to grab a couple myself but went for the jigs instead!! |
Posted By: roddholder
Date Posted: 09 May 2008 at 3:28pm
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you guys have not tried MAKETU PIES. the worlds best...no other comes close. the steak is my fav. or you could try a snapper sandwich. a fresh fried snapper fillet in butter, in between two slices of very fresh buttered bread, a lettuce leaf, beetroot, heaps of mayo. and dont forget to roll your sleeves up as the melting butter and mayo drips down your arms. this is best when just back from a hard days fishing and really hungry, a cold stubby to wash it down..........yumyum!!!
------------- she was only a fishermans daughter, but she reeled at the sight of my rod!. |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 09 May 2008 at 3:39pm
Maketu pies are good,big bens are good but for the best pie in the nth island go to callums bakery in papakura....they are the best  ...cods pies are frozen Al.....no good once they have been frozen.If kids ate pies they would soon be overweight and too lazy to get into trouble...problem solved
------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: Barbary B
Date Posted: 09 May 2008 at 3:56pm
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Big Ben pie, coke, tomato sauce and nurofen extra - all the major food groups covered for a healthy nutritious breakfast.
------------- "Look ahead, look astern, look to weather, look to lea Look down along the coast of High Barbary..." |
Posted By: strx7
Date Posted: 10 May 2008 at 11:17am
| Somewhere I read a theory which says, take note of what the sheep/cows are doing on your way to the ramp, if they are sitting/standing around doing nothing, the fish are doing the same. If they are heads down munching for all its worth, hurry up and get your baits in the water. |
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 10 May 2008 at 11:40am
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Very true strx7.
Also, people with fish tanks at home will notice that the fish get more active at certain times.
Mostly, this would equate with the solunar tides.
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Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 10 May 2008 at 12:23pm
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I'll bite,,... is that fish tank thing true Uncle?
All I know is you wont catch a single fish while sitting in your lounge watching tv (or in my case surfin around this site) while your off work sick because you didn't stay warm enough the last time you went out kayak fishing in torrential rain and wicked southerly winds. 
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Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 10 May 2008 at 12:40pm
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Is true Badfish.
Get better soon---ok!
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Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 10 May 2008 at 2:59pm
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Well might have to nick me a couple fish next time I'm at the chinese takeaway...
Cheers Uncle I'm tryin. Drink some stuff thats not fit for human consumption judging by the flavor, so it must be good for me.
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Posted By: Amateur
Date Posted: 11 May 2008 at 8:12am
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I need to know what stage the moon should be in for maximum Big Ben pie enjoyment of2fsh? ------------- No half measures! |
Posted By: ramprage
Date Posted: 11 May 2008 at 9:39am
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Maketu pies are good,big bens are good but for the best pie in the nth
island go to callums bakery in papakura....they are the best
...cods pies are frozen Al.....no good once they have been frozen.If
kids ate pies they would soon be overweight and too lazy to get into
trouble...problem solved Tryed them all, but the best is the Deli at Mangawhai. Bread pie's with chicken cayen, or spanish beef, $5.00 a pie ------------- When the going gets tough...the tough keep going |
Posted By: A C
Date Posted: 11 May 2008 at 10:26am
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The bakery at Matakana has some seriously good pies.
However, culinary fare isn't what I came to talk about - I find that the moon does indeed have a very big effect on bite times, it's either directly overhead or underfoot is one bite time but I find consistantly the best time is when the moon has just risen. ------------- Aye-Aye cloth eyes. |
Posted By: Phishpula
Date Posted: 11 May 2008 at 10:43am
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If the fish aren't biting cos of the moon, thats when the skilled art of foul hooking fish comes into play.
------------- Turtle free since 2012 |