New to Full Moon: Decoding Redfish Activity by Moon Phase
Moon phases play a role in redfish activity and will directly impact your fishing success. They might feed differently or be in different spots based on the moon.
Different moon phases influence redfish activity, with brighter nights (like full moons) typically increasing their feeding due to enhanced visibility. In contrast, darker phases (such as new moons) can result in more cautious and localized feeding patterns.
The moon goes through different phases each month, from full to new moon and everything in between. These changes in the moon can make redfish act differently. For example, redfish might be more active and easier to catch during certain moon phases.
Other times, they might be a bit more tricky. It’s because redfish, like many fish, are sensitive to the moon’s light and the tides it causes.
How Moon Phases Affect Redfish Behavior
New Moon
The moon isn’t visible in the sky during a new moon, making nights very dark. This darkness causes redfish to be more active and hungry during daylight hours. The best times to fish for them on new moon days are early morning and late afternoon.
These are moments when the tides change and redfish come to shallow areas to search for food. Ideal places to catch them include grassy flats, around oyster beds, and close to marshy inlets.
First Quarter
During the first quarter moon, we see half of the moon’s face lit up in the sky. This means redfish have some light at night but not too much. This makes them a little more cautious but still active during the day. The best times to fish are in the late morning and early evening when tides shift.
Redfish gather near sandbars, marsh edges, and channels during this phase. Because of the faint moonlight, redfish move to deeper waters at night but can still be caught near lit docks or boat lights.
Full Moon
The whole moon shines brightly in the sky with a full moon. This bright light can make redfish feel safe to hunt at night. Because they’re active at night, they might be sleepy or less hungry during the day.
Still, early morning or just before sunset can be good times to fish, especially as the tides change. In the daytime, redfish may hang out near deeper channels or shaded areas. But at night, they come to shallower waters, like grassy flats or near docks with lights.
Last Quarter
Only half of the moon’s face lights up during the last quarter moon, but this time it’s the other half. With less moonlight at night, redfish become more active during the day, especially in the hours leading up to dawn and after sunset. They’ll likely be looking for food in areas that have a mix of light and shade.
During the day, spots like muddy bottoms, inlets, and near underwater structures are good places to fish because they offer food and protection for redfish. They might venture to mid-depth areas at night but won’t be as active as during a full moon.
My Experience with Redfish & Different Moon Phases
Experiment: Evaluating Redfish Activity During Various Moon Phases at Night.
Procedure:
- Select a consistent redfish fishing spot that’s known for regular activity. I picked a seagrass flat in Buzzard Bay in Matlacha Pass. This spot has served me very well before.
- Over a month, fish for three hours after sunset on four significant nights: New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter.
- Maintain consistency by using the same bait, rod, reel, and tackle setup. I used a combo of shrimp (medium-sized, around 3 inches; hooked through the tail, allowing for natural movement) and finger mullet, approximately 4 inches in length; hooked through the lips to allow it to swim naturally)
- Document the number of redfish caught during each moon phase.
| Moon Phase | Redfish Caught |
| New Moon | 3 |
| First Quarter | 6 |
| Full Moon | 10 |
| Last Quarter | 5 |
Analysis: From the experiment’s results, it’s evident that the brightest nights during the full moon proved most favorable for redfish activity with 10 catches. The increased light likely makes baitfish more visible, prompting redfish to feed actively.
During the first quarter, catches were moderate, indicating some influence of increasing moonlight on their behavior. The last quarter saw a decline but was still relatively productive.
The new moon nights, being the darkest, yielded the fewest catches. This reduced activity can be attributed to lesser visibility, making redfish more reliant on their other senses and possibly a bit more cautious.
Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of redfish fishing at night in Florida. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of redfish reactions to tides in Florida. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best nighttime baits for redfish.
Best Baits for Each Moon Phase
New Moon
Day
- Live Shrimp: 3-4 inches. A favorite for redfish, mimicking their natural prey.
- Soft Plastic Lures: 4-5 inches in natural colors, resembling baitfish or shrimp.
Night
- Cut Bait: Mullet or menhaden, 4-6 inches. The scent attracts redfish in the darker waters.
- Glow-in-the-dark Lures: 4-5 inches, which help in visibility during the darker nights.
First Quarter Moon
Day
- Crabs: Small to medium size, around 2-3 inches, especially if tailing redfish are spotted.
- Paddle Tail Swimbaits: 4-5 inches in natural baitfish colors.
Night
- Live Minnows or Pinfish: 3-4 inches. The movement attracts redfish.
- Jig Heads with Soft Plastic Trailers: 4-5 inches, in darker shades for silhouette against the moonlit water.
Full Moon
Day
- Cut Bait: Mullet or menhaden, 4-6 inches. Especially good if redfish seem less aggressive due to nighttime feeding.
- Soft Plastic Jerk Baits: 4-5 inches, imitating injured baitfish.
Night
- Live Shrimp: 3-4 inches. Their movement and sound can attract redfish in well-lit conditions.
- Topwater Lures: 4-6 inches, creating surface disturbance that redfish can hone in on.
Last Quarter Moon
Day
- Crabs: Small to medium, 2-3 inches, particularly when sight fishing.
- Soft Plastic Lures with Jig Heads: 4-5 inches, resembling shrimp or baitfish.
Night
- Cut Bait: Mullet or menhaden, 4-6 inches, as the scent can be a strong attractor in the diminished light.
- Subsurface Lures: 4-6 inches, imitating baitfish movement.
Tidal Impacts on Redfish
High Tide: When the tide is high, the moon has pulled lots of water into the bay or shoreline. Redfish use this to swim into shallow spots and feed on little creatures there. This is a great time to fish in grassy flats or near mangroves.
Low Tide: There’s less water at low tide because the moon’s pull has moved elsewhere. Redfish know they can’t stay too shallow, so they move to deeper spots. Anglers might find them in channels or deeper holes.
Incoming Tide: As the tide comes in, it’s like a buffet rolling in for the redfish. This is when the sea brings in tasty treats with the rising waters. Try fishing where the water flows in, like at creek mouths.
Outgoing Tide: When the tide goes out, it carries food. Redfish might chase after this, following the flow. Fishing near estuaries or places where water drains out can be successful now.
| Tide Type | Redfish Behavior | Best Fishing Spots |
| High Tide | Redfish move into shallow areas to hunt. | Grassy flats, mangrove edges, and marsh inlets. |
| Low Tide | Redfish retreat to deeper waters for safety and food. | Deeper channels, holes, and the outside edges of flats. |
| Outgoing Tide | Redfish follow the food being pulled out to the sea. | Estuaries, deep channels, and drainage points. |
| Incoming Tide | Redfish anticipate the food brought in with the rising waters. | Inlets, mouths of creeks, and near oyster beds. |
How Moons Impact Daytime Redfish
New Moon: The sky is dark at night, but tides are super strong during the day. Redfish love to hunt in shallow waters like grassy flats during these high tides. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times. Live shrimp or small fish work great as bait.
First Quarter Moon: Tides aren’t as strong, but there’s still some movement. Mid-morning can be a good time to fish, and spots near structures like oyster beds or mangroves might be where redfish hang out. Soft plastic lures can be a top choice for bait.
Full Moon: Like the new moon, daytime tides are strong because of the bright moon at night. Redfish might venture to deeper channels or inlets, especially in the mid-morning. Live bait is a winner here.
Last Quarter Moon: Mid-to-late-morning fishing near underwater structures can be fruitful with weaker tides. Cut bait, like mullet pieces or menhaden, can attract those hungry redfish.
Moonlight’s Effect on Night Fishing for Redfish
Moonlight can make a big difference in redfish fishing. When there’s a full moon, the night is super bright. This can make redfish feel like it’s almost daytime, and they might feed more actively. Fishing during a full moon’s night can be as exciting as during the day.
On the other hand, on darker nights (like around a new moon), there’s less light shining in the water. Redfish might be more cautious and stick to deeper waters or near structures. Finding them might be a bit trickier, but with the right bait and spot, having a great fishing night is still possible.
