Even with the best fishing spots and high-quality gear, you may still catch nothing if you don’t fish at the right time.
Skilled anglers know how to combine various factors to have the most successful fishing trips. They must select good fishing locations, have the perfect rod, and use suitable hooks. Bait also needs to be flexible and change according to the type of fish.
Additionally, fishing at the right time is a very important factor. Anglers should know the best times of day to catch fish and when it’s likely to be less productive in order to plan their fishing trips effectively.
What is the best time of day to fish?
Fish are cold-blooded animals, which means their activity levels depend on the surrounding water temperature. They tend to be less active in colder weather. Conversely, in very hot weather, fish will dive down to deeper water to cool off. Since fish feed on insects or smaller fish that eat insects, they are most active when they see their prey moving vigorously. Hot weather and high mosquito activity are ideal for fishing. In summary, the choice of fishing time should be based on the behavior of the fish.
To ensure a successful fishing trip, anglers should know the best times of day to fish. (Photo: Rchiips).
According to Sohu, early morning (around 5 AM to 9 AM) is the best time of day to fish. After sunrise, the water temperature rises quickly from its lowest point, and the areas near the shore warm up significantly.
As underwater creatures consume oxygen, the deeper waters tend to have the lowest oxygen levels around sunrise, while shallow areas near the shore have higher oxygen content and abundant light. Most fish have not eaten all night and are hungry, making them eager to come to the surface in search of food, thus making it easier to catch them.
Additionally, the time from 5 PM to just before 8 PM is also a suitable time for fishing, although it may not be as favorable as the morning. During this time, the air and water temperatures drop, oxygen levels increase, and fish are ready to come to shore as night falls to “dine.”
Moreover, the water temperature in the evening is moderate, with the highest dissolved oxygen levels of the day, soft and gentle light, and light winds, resulting in calmer water conditions. At this time, most fish are also hungry, making it a good time to fish during the day.
In the evening, fish often leap to the surface to catch low-flying insects. Some species, like grass carp, even poke their heads above the water to eat grass along the shore. Common carp and crucian carp also come to shallow waters to search for food.
In general, species such as crucian carp, common carp, and grass carp typically forage between 5 AM to 9 AM and 6 PM to 8 PM.
The best times to fish are early morning and evening. (Photo: Headhunters Fly Shop).
However, the situation is a bit different in the summer. During this season, bright sunlight during the day and high water temperatures cause fish to migrate to deeper waters to avoid the heat. During this time, fish tend to eat less and move less. When night falls and the water temperature drops to a comfortable level, fish resurface and swim to the shore to feed. Many flying insects lay eggs on the water’s surface, sometimes falling in large numbers, creating better conditions for fish to hunt.
Therefore, in summer, nighttime fishing can sometimes be more effective than fishing during the day. However, from around 11 PM until early morning, it can be just as difficult to catch fish as it is during midday.
Overall, the best times of day to fish are generally early morning or evening when food is plentiful and fish are naturally feeding. The hour after sunrise and the hour after sunset are the times when fish are most likely to bite.
