Round Gobies - The "Other" Brown Fish Forage...

[Pup]

Tied a couple of round gobies tonight. Used 1/4-oz. offset ball heads with bronze #1 hooks. Tried using 5-minute epoxy with mixed results. These are the best of the eight heads I painted and prepared.



It pays to read the technical data sheets of epoxy products. Tonight, I could have used the tip to alleviate air bubbles in my coating. With 30-minute epoxy, I have no concern with air bubbles. Most disappear before the glue sets.

Here's a great article explaining the what for, how to, and where I'd like to go with these.

Link

Apparently, round gobies aren't just for smallmouth bass in Lake Michigan.

 

[Fish Candy Bait Company]

I have heard about the gobie problem and it looks like a good opportunity to use jigs tied as them. I am guessing the epoxy was for the eyes on the head? I wonder if a small feather shaped like that fin were placed by the collar would really seal the deal on the imitation. I may give it a shot but we have no gobies here as a food source to try it out so it would be for you all in the Great Lakes area.

 

[AtticaFish]

Got to have a goby style bait in your box if you are fishing smallmouth on Erie, that is the first i have heard of using them for brown trout. Colors you have look good and guessing that color craft fur will darken up some in the water which would be even better! Wonder if there is a way to get a more molted color of a goby on a hair/feather jig.....

Those gobies can be VERY frustrating when you are perch fishing!!!!! Little bait thieves. :dodgy:

 

[LedHed]

Excellent tyes - again - good pattern for SoCal

 

[Pup]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Tied a couple more tonight to finish off my "usable" jig heads. Heads are 1/4-oz. with 1/0 red hooks.





I found the In-Fisherman article to be very intriguing. Though, the suggested angling techniques might be difficult from a pier or breakwall full of shore anglers when other fish are running.