Surfcasting tactics based on the moon phase

Before the striped bass season begins, most surfcasting junkies have already printed out a moon phase calendar and highlighted the days with the most potential based on the moon cycle. As the moon phases change, so will the gravitational pull, creating stronger or weaker currents and lower or higher tides. With this, the surf caster will need to change tactics to match the conditions, targeting different locations that will have the best chance of holding fish.

A new moon and cloud cover result in some of the darkest conditions for a surfcaster, sometimes resulting in the largest fish of the season

Moon phase is an extremely important aspect in considering when to target striped bass from the surf, what presentation to throw, and where to target them. Below you will find a rundown of how I like to fish during each phase of the moon cycle; new, first quarter, full, last quarter.

Full Moon: Stronger current and extreme tide cycles (extremely high tides and low tides)

New Moon: Only thing changing here will be the colors I will be throwing. With darker conditions, I will focus on throwing blurple, black, black/red combos.

I find the full and new moon result in striped bass being found in very specific locations. With stronger tides, striped bass will hunker down in “holes” which allow for a break in the current. This often results in an easy meal. Furthermore, with brighter conditions overhead, I will opt for colors that coincide with this.

For example White, Chartreuse, and Yellow

A 25 lb striper that fell for a Chartreuse Darter during an early-season full moon

I generally like to target boulder fields at the flood tide as there is going to be a lot of structure submerged, allowing striped bass to move in close to shore. Secondly, I like to fish sandbars on the dropping tide as I find striped bass will become “pinned” in shallow water guzzles/flats.

My go-to lures are going to be Darters and needles

I find these presentations work best in stronger current in the surf and allow me to focus on these specific spots that striped bass will be found. For example, I am fishing a sandbar with a current running left to right. A rip is set up at 1 o'clock and I notice that’s where the fish are stacked. I will cast at about 11/12 o’clock and work the lure as it drifts to 1 o'clock.

I am able to remain in the strike zone throughout a majority of my retrieve and throw presentations which will entice a reaction strike (vibrant colors).

Whatever the light is overhead, you want to try to match those conditions!

First Quarter/Last Quarter: Weaker current and variation in tide cycles.

I find fish to be actively foraging for food during these times. They are cruising up and down the beach looking for pockets of bait, and using less energy since the current is not a strong as it tends to be during the full/new moon.

My go-to lures are going to be a 12-inch pre-rigged Sluggo in eel skin or black, needlefish, and mag darters.

These are my presentations which I am able to cover a lot of ground with, helping me find the schools of fish pretty quickly. I will tend to not take more than 5 to 10 casts with one lure before I find myself switching to a different presentation. Once you find that school of fish, you’re dialed in and should be in a solid bite for some time.

A 41 lb monster that fell for a 12-inch pre-rigged Sluggo during the middle of July during the last quarter

I tend to catch my largest fish during the full/new moon, however, I find more fish to be present during the first/last quarter. As I said before, schools of bass are more apt to be roaming around since they are not fighting the strong currents. Remember, if the current is strong, bait is getting “sucked away” very quickly, hence why the fish will hunker down. During these weaker tides, baitfish and therefore their predators are all moving out and about, often resulting in high numbers of fish.

Remember, generally speaking, I am not talking about the canal here. I am talking about the boulder fields and sandy beaches the litter the Massachusetts Coast and how I find fish during the various moon phases each month.

Moon phases are just one of several variables to consider when planning your fishing excursions and trying to get the odds in your favor. You also have to consider the wind, water temp, surf conditions, and bait present to name a few. Stay tuned for more blog posts as I will dive deeper into these aspects and how everything eventually ties together.

Tight Lines

Striped Survival “Conserving the Species, Seven Stripes at a Time”