About Fisho Bite Times
Fisho's Bite Times show the four solunar feeding periods for your location today — the Major and Minor
periods when fish are statistically most active based on the moon's position. The current activity
rating for Kaipara Harbour reflects moon phase and solunar alignment, updated daily.
Calculations are performed server-side using sun/moon ephemeris data for your exact latitude and longitude —
no third-party API, no rounding. Major periods occur when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot and last
approximately 2 hours. Minor periods occur at moonrise and moonset and last approximately 1 hour.
The highest-rated days occur around new and full moon phases when gravitational forces are strongest.
For best results, combine a Major period with an incoming tide and stable barometric pressure.
The monthly calendar lets you plan sessions weeks ahead — solunar calculations are deterministic,
so future ratings are as reliable as today's.
Learn how Fisho calculates bite times →
Frequently Asked Questions
A solunar period is a time window when gravitational forces from the moon and sun align to trigger
peak fish feeding activity. There are two Major periods and two Minor periods each day. Major periods
last approximately 2 hours; Minor periods last approximately 1 hour. Fisho calculates these for your
exact location using solunar theory developed by John Alden Knight.
Major periods occur when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot — these are the strongest feeding
windows, lasting approximately 2 hours, and are when fish are most likely to feed aggressively.
Minor periods occur at moonrise and moonset, last approximately 1 hour, and produce moderate feeding
activity. On high-rating days (new or full moon), both Major and Minor periods are worth fishing.
Fisho's bite times are calculated from precise astronomical data — the moon's position is known
exactly, so the solunar period times are deterministic and accurate. What they predict is statistical
feeding likelihood based on lunar and solar positioning. On-the-water conditions (tides, wind,
barometric pressure, water temperature) also influence fish behaviour, so solunar data works best
when combined with a rising tide and stable conditions.
An Excellent rating (5 out of 5) indicates that moon phase, solunar alignment, and tidal factors are
combining for peak fish feeding activity. Excellent days occur approximately four times per month,
typically around new and full moon phases. These are the best days to plan a fishing session.
New and full moon phases produce the strongest gravitational pull, creating the most pronounced
solunar periods and the highest activity ratings. These phases also produce larger tidal ranges,
which increase bait fish movement and feeding opportunity. In New Zealand, experienced anglers
plan their best sessions around these windows.
The Fisho monthly calendar shows the activity rating for every day in the current month. You can
navigate forward to plan sessions weeks in advance. Solunar calculations are deterministic — the
moon's position is known precisely, so future ratings are as accurate as today's.