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All about the sea goby
Gobies are called several types of fish belonging to different families and genera. In the European part live, “real” gobies belonging to the Goby family (gobies – kolobni). Actually, gobies are called fish that originally lived or lived in salty or brackish waters. With all the huge variety of subspecies living in water with different salinity, there are populations that do not tolerate fresh water at all, but some have expanded their distribution area into river basins and lead a sedentary lifestyle there. Here it is worth clarifying that in many rivers of Russia, including Siberia and the Far East, outwardly similar, freshwater species live in the rivers, but belong to a different family, for example: the common sculpin (Cottusgobio) is a freshwater bottom fish belonging to family of slingshots (kerchakovs). Although for most anglers, they are also considered gobies. In gobies, the ventral fins are fused together, forming an organ in the likeness of a sucker, and in sculpins they are like in all fish. The sizes depend on the type and living conditions, sea gobies are much larger and are considered worthy prey for many anglers. There are more than 20 species of gobies in the Azov-Black Sea area. In the waters of the Pacific coast, there are also several species belonging to the Bychkov family, of which there are more than a dozen. They are not of great commercial importance, but they are interesting for amateur fishing.
Ways to catch a goby
Catching gobies in the river and the sea may differ. The fish leads a bottom lifestyle with a mixed diet, so it can be caught both on spinning lures and on bottom gear. In addition, gobies are perfectly caught on the simplest tackle in the form of a piece of fishing line on a finger with a sinker and a hook. Fishing with a float rod is relevant in any fishing conditions, both from the coastline and from boats if the nozzle is at the bottom.
Catching gobies on spinning
Catching gobies on a spinning rod is especially interesting near the coastline: beaches, piers, coastal cliffs. For this, ultra-light and light tackle is recommended. When choosing gear, it should be borne in mind that fishing is associated with salt water. For this, spinning rods with a weight test of up to 7-10 grams are suitable. Specialists in retail chains will recommend a large number of baits. The choice of line or monoline depends on the desires of the angler, but the line, due to its low stretch, will enhance the manual sensations from contact with biting fish. The choice of lines and cords, in the direction of a slight increase from “extra thin”, may be affected by the fact that hooks are possible, especially when fishing on rocky terrain. Reels should match, in weight and size, a light rod.
Catching gobies on bottom gear
Gobies are caught on bottom gear, both from the shore and from boats. Donkeys and “snacks” can be very simple, sometimes a simple piece of line with a sinker. More “advanced versions” are various “long-cast” rods, specialized or re-equipped “spinning” rods. For equipment, multi-hook designs are used using decoys or hooks for baits. The main recommendation is the maximum simplicity and reliability of equipment. You can fish on similar gear “on a pull”, stretching the nozzle along the bottom, which is akin to fishing in rivers, on the flow to the “running bottom”.
Catching gobies on a float rod
Gobies are successfully caught on the simplest float gear. To do this, use rods with blind equipment 5-6 m long. As in the case of donks, there is no need to use “delicate” equipment. The main bait are various animal baits.
Baits
For bottom and float gear, various nozzles are used, which are not always the natural food of gobies. The fish is very voracious, therefore, it reacts to pieces of any meat, offal, various worms, and so on. In addition, gobies are caught on pieces of mussel and shrimp meat. From artificial lures, for fishing with spinning gear, various silicone nozzles are used, mainly jig wiring. Gobies are ambush predators, they do not like to chase prey, so the wiring should be done in steps, with a small amplitude.
Places of fishing and habitat
It is believed that originally gobies are inhabitants of the Mediterranean. From there they spread to the Black, Azov, and also the Caspian Seas. Including they have adapted to life in the fresh waters of large tributaries of the seas. Gobies are residents of the coastal zone, lead a sedentary lifestyle. During the cooling period, they can move away from the coastline several hundred meters into the depths of the sea. It hides in the grass or behind obstacles in anticipation of prey, from where it makes short throws.
Spawning
Spawns in spring in March-April. The goby makes depressions in the form of nests in the sandy bottom, near the stones, and alternately lures several females there, which lay their eggs there. Until the larvae appear, the male guards the nest, aerating it with his fins.