I just happen to be fishing a couple ponds that have decent populations of Goldfish, that I really hadn't spent any time on before. They were in a neighboring town, but now I'm living right next to them temporarily. That will end next week when we are moving to St. Louis. Because of their mouth size and way I think they feed, I'm fishing the way I normally would for small sunfish. I'm using a 1/100th oz or 1/80th oz microjig, suspended beneath a strike indicator. These microjigs have about a #10 size hook on them. They allow me to fish at precise depths very slowly, or even paused. There may be be better flies or techniques for them...like maybe slowly retrieving a softhackle fly? But this is working for me, so I'm sticking with it. The key is that there is a population of LARGE goldfish here. The smallest here so far measured 10", many are around 12", with the biggest two over 13". It isn't sight fishing, since the water is stained. That would be much easier if I actually knew where the darn things were! Its blind fishing, and I just get lucky on occasion. :) Its low percentage...if I catch one Goldfish, that is a good day. Occasionally I catch 2!
Great posts! Are you targeting the goldfish, or are they just showing up more? If targeted, how do you differentiate strategy, or is it sight fishing?
ReplyDeleteI just happen to be fishing a couple ponds that have decent populations of Goldfish, that I really hadn't spent any time on before. They were in a neighboring town, but now I'm living right next to them temporarily. That will end next week when we are moving to St. Louis. Because of their mouth size and way I think they feed, I'm fishing the way I normally would for small sunfish. I'm using a 1/100th oz or 1/80th oz microjig, suspended beneath a strike indicator. These microjigs have about a #10 size hook on them. They allow me to fish at precise depths very slowly, or even paused. There may be be better flies or techniques for them...like maybe slowly retrieving a softhackle fly? But this is working for me, so I'm sticking with it. The key is that there is a population of LARGE goldfish here. The smallest here so far measured 10", many are around 12", with the biggest two over 13". It isn't sight fishing, since the water is stained. That would be much easier if I actually knew where the darn things were! Its blind fishing, and I just get lucky on occasion. :) Its low percentage...if I catch one Goldfish, that is a good day. Occasionally I catch 2!
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