Emily S.
Emily is a data scientist and lifelong angler who loves exploring the intersection of technology and outdoor sports.
You see "Solunar Periods" in every ReelTime forecast, but what does that term actually mean? The Solunar Theory, first proposed by John Alden Knight in 1926, suggests that the gravitational pull of the moon and sun influences animal and fish behavior, much in the same way it influences the ocean's tides.
Major vs. Minor Periods Explained
The theory is built around two distinct types of feeding periods throughout a 24-hour cycle:
- Major Periods: These are considered the strongest periods of activity, lasting for about two hours. They are centered on the time when the moon is directly overhead (known as moonrise or moon transit) and when it is directly underfoot on the opposite side of the earth. During these times, the gravitational pull is at its strongest.
- Minor Periods: These are shorter bursts of activity, typically lasting for about an hour. They coincide with the times when the moon is rising or setting on the horizon.
Is There Truth to the Theory?
While the theory certainly has its skeptics, generations of anglers and hunters have sworn by it for nearly a century. The underlying logic is sound: if the moon's gravity can move entire oceans, it's highly plausible that it has a more subtle effect on all living things within those ecosystems. Many experienced fishermen find that their best and most active days on the water happen when a Major or Minor period coincides with other favorable conditions, like a moving tide or the low-light hours of sunrise and sunset.
How Solunar Data is Integrated
This app's AI doesn't treat the solunar calendar as an absolute truth. Instead, it uses it as another critical variable in a complex equation. It cross-references the Major and Minor periods with all the other real-time data points like weather, tide, and wind conditions to identify the most probable "Best Times to Fish." When a strong solunar period aligns with a strong outgoing tide and the sun is low on the horizon, the AI gives that specific time window a very high score for potential fish activity. It's one more powerful piece of the puzzle to help you fish smarter, not just harder.