Full Moon Rising
October 11, 1998
I've heard about the full moon and how it effects fishing. These last few days have been heart wrenching...I've tried hard to get some solid tuna reports. Three days before and three days after, that's the story I've always heard, and now I wonder about, because of the scenarios I've experienced lately. You cannot control mother nature.
Forget about it, I was out in the Hudson Canyon on the Gambler out of New Jersey. The boat's captain, Bob, was great and well experienced. A few days before the full moon the fish were cooperating well...infact the yellow fin were on the surface circling bait and very active. Most of the boats had a good turn of tuna.
There are supposed to be strong currents during the full moon. Well, the other day, there was no current at all...I repeat, absolutely no current what so ever at the Hudson Canyon. All I had on my line was a butter fish with no weight and my bait sunk like a rock. Let's talk bait fish action...there was none...I mean none in mass and not active. The fish I did get to hit were not aggressive. They were gumming the bait. Like freshwater bass, in a high pressure system, under blue skies. The moon affects all living creatures just come to New York City on a full moon and check out the activity! It stimulates some and gives others lock jaw. (Unfortunately it doesn't work on relatives!)
Or is it all just one big hoax passed down throught the years.
Personally I think that it's the albatross migrating early this year! What's your opinion? I would really like to know.
I'm going to hang tough with this tuna season...the fat lady has not sung just yet! And remember it's called fishing and there's always a banger day right around the corner. I hope you are on that boat when you just slam those puppies good. And the guy next to you says, "Hey this is so easy. I don't understand what 's so hard about tuna fishing." Remember choke gently and quietly while throwing that guy overboard!
What we needed was a heavy east wind to push the warm water onto the banks of the canyon walls...and the last few days of rain have given us just that...so God willing this Tuesday, I will try again and have better luck...with the blessings of St. Peter behind me!
Sincerely, Tuna Dave.
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