Bay of Islands Fishing Bite Times

Bite times are the parts of the day when fish are expected to feed more actively. They are worked out from the position of the moon (solunar theory): fish tend to be more active when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot, and around moonrise and moonset.

Major bite times are the two hours centred on the moon passing overhead or underfoot, and are usually the stronger periods. Minor bite times are the hour around moonrise and moonset. They are shorter, but still worth timing a session around.

The rating follows the moon phase. The days either side of a new or full moon bring the biggest tides and stronger tidal flow, and anglers have long found fish bite better then. Days near the quarter moons are rated average, but you can still catch plenty.

Both matter. The best sessions are often when a major bite time lines up with dawn or dusk and a moving tide. If you can only pick one, most anglers favour a moving tide in low light over a bite time in the middle of a bright, slack day.

Moon and sun times are calculated for each location and are accurate to within about five minutes. Tide times come from LINZ official predictions for the nearest standard port, and local tides can differ by a few minutes. Always check the marine forecast before heading out. This page is not for navigation.