Mooneye/Goldeye fishing tips

[badfish]

I was wondering what tactics everyone has tried and had success with when fishing these 2 species. Do they have the same behavior where one technique will work for the other or should I approach them differently. Do they feed looking up? I heard slip bobber and crawler were the way to go but I will be fishing in heavy current and that might not work out too well. Any other techniques? thanks

[hanso612]

I caught all the mooneye I ever needed for bait by tipping a gaberdeen hook with a piece of crawler Under a bobber. I like to fish mooneyes just under the surface to a foot down.

Cast as far upstream as possible-foam bobbers with built in weight cast the best-and let the bait dift with the current. Then repeat after a full drift.

On the Croix, the warm water outlet at the King plant is a sure thing. Just walk the levee in Stillwater with your bait drifting naturally and you can always pick up a few there too.

When fishing mooneys don't wear a good shirt, because they always splatter blood.

I also have had luck just leaveing an unweighted line with no bobber trailing off the back of my anchored boat. Hans

[DEADhead]

I've taken many of these fish at or near the surface. crawlers work great. If you you can fly fish, dry flies are a solid choice for these fish. They'll actively take flies during a hatch, just like a trout would.

Great point brought up about the blood. Both of these fish are real sensitive and it doesn't take a whole lot to get these fish to bleed. If you are planning on releasing these fish, just try to be gentle with them, as they don't handle well and have a high rate of mortality after being caught. Otherwise, they make great cutbait for kitties.

Good Luck!