Goggle-eye in Missouri
How to catch them
Anglers love goggle-eye for the fight they provide on light tackle. You can catch them on a variety of live bait (minnows, shiners, worms, crickets, etc.) and lures (small crankbaits, beetle spins, plastic grubs/worms, etc.). Typically, the same methods and baits used for smallmouth bass also work well for goggle-eye, although in general the baits should be somewhat smaller.
The secretive goggle-eye spends most of the daylight hours lying in the shadows around boulders or submerged logs. Fishing in rocky places with moderate current and plenty of cover are likely to produce the best catches. Goggle-eye can be caught year ‘round. However, when fishing in the winter (as with most fish), it’s best to slow the retrieve of your favorite lures or use live bait in slower currents.
How to Measure a Fish
It is important to know the length of the fish you harvest. Legal fish length limits vary from one area to another.
Follow these steps to determine length:
- Lay the fish flat.
- Push or hold the mouth shut.
- Press the tail lobes together.
- Measure the fish from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail.
