Best Lures for Night Fishing Under Different Moon Phases

Night fishing offers a unique and rewarding challenge, but mastering it means paying attention to more than just the water. Understanding the night fishing moon phase connection—how the moon’s changing light and gravitational pull shape fish behavior—can make all the difference. Each phase of the moon, over its 29.5-day cycle, influences everything from tidal movement to how fish sense and strike in the dark.

Brief Astronomy Primer and General Effects on Fish

2026 Lunar Fishing Calendar

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The lunar cycle is divided into eight distinct phases, ranging from the total darkness of a new moon to the brilliant illumination of a full moon. This celestial dance has profound effects beneath the water’s surface:

• Gravitational Pull: The moon’s gravity directly influences tides and currents. During new and full moons, when the sun, moon, and Earth align, tidal forces are strongest, stirring up baitfish and often leading to increased feeding activity among predatory species.
• Light Levels: The amount of moonlight dictates which senses fish prioritize. In complete darkness, fish rely heavily on their lateral lines to detect vibrations and movement. As light increases, visual cues become more important, allowing fish to spot prey from a distance.
• Conflicting Views: While many anglers report peak activity during full and new moons due to feeding frenzies, some sources suggest that full moons can scatter fish in clear water or reduce bites due to increased caution or satiation.

Ultimately, night fishing amplifies these lunar effects. Full moons, with their ample light, can open up opportunities for topwater action, while new moons demand subsurface lures that create noise and vibration to attract fish in the darkness.

Best Lures and Baits by Moon Phase

This section dives into the specifics, detailing conditions, fish behavior, and recommended lures and baits for each moon phase. We’ll emphasize dark colors for strong silhouettes, vibration for attraction in low light, and the importance of experimentation, focusing primarily on bass with notes for other species.

2.1 Best Lures and Baits for a New Moon (No Visible Moon – Darkest Nights)

• Conditions: Minimal light, strongest tides. This is ideal for murky water where fish are aggressive but visibility is extremely low.
• Fish Behavior: Fish are entirely reliant on sound and vibration. Feeding can be intense but challenging for fish to spot prey visually. It’s generally best to avoid clear water night fishing during this phase, as fish activity tends to dip.
• Best Lures:
  • Spinnerbaits: Opt for black or other dark colors with large Colorado blades to maximize “thump” and flash.
  • Buzzbaits or Chatterbaits: Black and blue are excellent choices for creating significant vibration in low light.
  • Glow-in-the-dark lures or LED-enhanced soft plastics: These can be incredibly attractive in complete darkness.
• Best Baits:
  • Live minnows or leeches: Rigged on glow jigs, their natural scent and subtle glow can be irresistible.
  • Texas-rigged big worms: Black or natural colors, dragged slowly along the bottom, are highly effective.
• Tips: Use slower retrieves to allow fish to home in on the lure. Focus on shallow structures like weeds or docks.

Here’s an example of a glow-in-the-dark lure, perfect for these dark nights:

2.2 Best Lures and Baits for a Waxing Crescent (Slight Crescent – Low Light)

• Conditions: Increasing light but still mostly dark; moderate tides building toward the first quarter.
• Fish Behavior: Transitional phase. Fish begin to use some visual cues but still prioritize vibration. Activity generally ramps up from new moon lows.
• Best Lures:
  • Jigs with trailers: Black/blue combinations are effective for bottom bouncing.
  • Soft plastics like swimbaits: Longer sizes in natural tones can be very productive.
  • Crankbaits: Darker shades with rattles are excellent for added noise.
• Best Baits:
  • Nightcrawlers or leeches: Rigged on slip bobbers for a subtle presentation.
  • Scented baits: Always a good idea to compensate for limited visibility.
• Tips: Target edges of current seams. Experiment with glow elements if bites are slow.

2.3 Best Lures and Baits for a First Quarter (Half Moon – Moderate Light)

• Conditions: Balanced light; weaker neap tides but consistent fish movement.
• Fish Behavior: Good overall activity. Fish feed steadily without extremes, using a mix of senses.
• Best Lures:
  • Spinnerbaits: Chartreuse or bone can create good contrast in the emerging light.
  • Topwater poppers: If enough light allows for silhouette visibility, these can be exciting.
  • Jigging raps or rippin’ raps: Effective for vertical presentations.
• Best Baits:
  • Minnows on jigs; live bait with glow hooks.
• Tips: Fish during moonrise/moonset for peak activity. This is often a reliable phase for catching numbers of fish rather than trophies.

2.4 Best Lures and Baits for a Waxing Gibbous Moon (Mostly Full – Brightening Nights)

• Conditions: High light building to full; strong tides approaching.
• Fish Behavior: Increasing aggression. Fish may scatter but feed heavily, especially predators chasing baitfish.
• Best Lures:
  • Swimbaits: Full-sized options create bigger silhouettes for larger predators.
  • Buzzbaits: Black still excels for surface disturbance.
  • Crankbaits: Shad-style in darker colors.
• Best Baits:
  • Leeches or minnows: On lighted slip bobbers for added attraction.
• Tips: Use faster retrieves to match the potential feeding frenzy. Focus on shallow to mid-depths.

2.5 Best Lures and Baits for a Full Moon (Full Illumination – Brightest Nights)

• Conditions: Maximum light, strongest tides. Excellent for clear water but can scatter fish in some fisheries.
• Fish Behavior: Heightened visibility can lead to prolonged feeding into the night. Bass are often aggressive, and walleye/musky might be found on structures. However, some reports suggest reduced bites due to satiation or increased caution in bright conditions.
• Best Lures:
  • Topwater lures like Jitterbugs: Black is excellent for creating strong silhouettes against the moonlit surface.
  • Spinnerbaits: A 3/8 oz black spinnerbait with Colorado blades, slow-rolled, can be very effective.
  • Crankbaits: Darker or black options for contrast; troll at 2-2.5 mph for species like walleye.
  • Soft plastics or creature baits: Texas-rigged for bottom work.
• Best Baits:
  • Minnows on glow jigs; crabs for species like tarpon.
• Tips: Fish actively from 10 PM to midnight. Consider using LED lures for extra attraction. Target bluffs or steep banks where fish move shallow under the moonlight.

Here’s an image of the classic Jitterbug topwater lure:

2.6 Best Lures and Baits for a Waning Gibbous Moon (Decreasing Full – Still Bright)

• Conditions: Fading light but still ample illumination; tides easing.
• Fish Behavior: Similar to waxing gibbous. Sustained activity with potential for trophy catches post-full moon.
• Best Lures:
  • Chatterbaits: Black/blue or green pumpkin.
  • Big glidebaits or swimbaits: Black or bone colors.
  • Stick baits: For subtle action.
• Best Baits:
  • Live bait like minnows: Experiment with sizes.
• Tips: Employ zigzag retrieves to trigger strikes. This phase can be good for walleye trolling.

2.7 Best Lures and Baits for a Last Quarter Moon (Half Moon – Diminishing Light)

• Conditions: Moderate light; weaker tides similar to the first quarter.
• Fish Behavior: Steady feeding. Less intense than the full moon but reliable.
• Best Lures:
  • Jigs with trailers: Slow drag along the bottom.
  • Crankbaits: Rattle-equipped for added attraction.
  • Buzzbaits: For surface action if light permits.
• Best Baits:
  • Leeches on jigs.
• Tips: Focus on moon periods (moonrise/moonset) for boosts in activity.

2.8 Best Lures and Baits for a Waning Crescent Moon (Thin Crescent – Low Light)

• Conditions: Decreasing light towards darkness; tides building to the new moon.
• Fish Behavior: Shifting back to vibration reliance. Activity may slow but can be aggressive in murky waters.
• Best Lures:
  • Glow lures or rattle baits.
  • Soft plastics: Black with chartreuse tails for added visibility.
  • Spinnerbaits: Slow-rolled for maximum vibration.
• Best Baits:
  • Scented worms or minnows.
• Tips: Similar strategies to the waxing crescent; prepare for darker conditions and emphasize vibration.

A versatile black spinnerbait, effective across various moon phases:

General Tips for Night Fishing Moon Phase Success

Beyond the moon phase, several general tips can significantly improve your night fishing experience:

• Gear Essentials: Use non-stretch fluorocarbon line for better feel. A headlamp with a red light setting is crucial for preserving night vision. While polarized glasses are typically for daytime glare, some anglers find them useful for reducing moon glare on bright nights.
• Techniques: Employ slow and steady retrieves to give fish time to locate your lure. Cast to known daytime spots, as fish often remain in or near these areas at night. Utilize solunar forecast apps to pinpoint optimal feeding times.
• Safety: Always wear a life jacket. Bring bug spray to deter insects. Inform others of your plans and expected return time. Be vigilant for hazards like submerged structures that are harder to spot in the dark.
• Species Variations: For catfish, emphasize strong-scented baits like stink baits or cut bait. For trout in streams, smaller lures and subtle presentations are usually best.
• Environmental Factors: Combine lunar knowledge with other environmental factors. Warm, stable nights are generally more productive. Adjust your lure and retrieve based on water clarity.

Conclusion

Tailoring your lures and baits to the specific moon phase you’re fishing under can dramatically enhance your night fishing outcomes. Darker phases, like the new moon, demand noisy, vibrating, and scented options, while brighter phases, such as the full moon, open up opportunities for visual presentations and exciting topwater action.

We encourage you to track the lunar calendar, experiment with different techniques and lures, and share your experiences. Night fishing under the moon is a unique blend of science, strategy, and serenity, promising unforgettable angling adventures.

Night Fishing Moon Phase Tips

Best Lures and Baits by Moon Phase

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