Sonar tables, voodoo, or good science?

[Jiggy]

Does anyone watch the sonar tables before you go out. I've never given them much mind. I went out this weekend and pounded the clack like crazy. After I got done I downloaded an app for my phone,,, this was supposed to be a bad weekend. Last weekend I got one,,, it was a pretty good weekend. I'm not going to stay home if its supposed to stink, but it's making me wonder if there's not something to it. I think rain and water levels/temp are a big factor, but it's been right twice so far in my case. Any thoughts?

 

[plumb2fish]

I think you mean solunar tables...

 

[Tacomasteelheader]

its been right for me three times for steelies....now that you mention it i checked my tag

 

[madasahab]

Hogwash...

 

[alm21]

I think you mean lunar tables...

...torpedoes away!


I pay attention to it sometimes, depends on what I'm fishing for. I may let it influence some of my decisions but I don't let it dictate when I fish. There are a number of other contributing factors. However, I have found correlations at times.

 

[JeannaJigs]

I think more than anything it really only has much of an impact on tidal waters, as the different lunar phases dictate the tidal changes, which dictates salmon behavior. I don't really pay much attention to it otherwise.

 

[DYJ]

I kinda pay attention to em, mostly after we catch fish, I look to see if it was correct. It's not consistent enough to have any faith in.

The best Steelheadin advice I've ever heard was from here on OFF, "fish when you can and fish even when you can't"

 

[troutdude]

I've used DOT'S Tide Tables guide, for decades now...and with great accuracy. The information is based upon not only tide changes; but also on Solunar Tables (a combination of moon phases, moon rise/set, and sunrise/set).

 

[Jiggy]

Great feedback. Yup, my bad on the title. Some of my friends think that they are the bomb for trout fishing lakes. So no tidal influence there. But I totally agree that it would be more important on tidal water. But,, that would include the willamette up to the falls, and therefore the lower clack as well right? So if your fishing cross park( right above the tidally influenced water) then it might be good to know when not to pack it I at least. I'm new to steelies, but I'm trying to go about finding a correlation between environmental conditions and good fishing. But that doesn't mean it's going to stop me from getting out every chance I get.

 

[alm21]

If I'm fishing the Willamette below the falls then I'm fishing based on the tides. But when it come to the tributaries, I believe there are other more important condition factors to consider such as water level/flow, rising or dropping?, clarity/visibility, air & water temps, freezing levels, current weather, etc. But DYJ quotes it best "fish when you can and fish even when you can't"

 

[troutdude]

But DYJ quotes it best "fish when you can and fish even when you can't"

Can't go wrong there! :lol:

And I COMPLETELY agree, that ALL conditions impact fishing. It's important to consider all of above.

Don't simply dismiss the fact that tidal changes, moon phases, etc. impact inland fish. Such things affect ALL life forms. If they didn't--then why would people hassle with Solunar Tables???

 

[madasahab]

You'd have better luck with fortune cookies and horoscopes...

If one waits for the perfect time to fish, he may not fish at all...fish as much as you can...LOL sounds like a fortune cookie! I'm done...go catch fish! cheers!