CyberAngler

I realize that catching goggle eyes, rightly so, is a well guarded secret know mostly to the professional bait fisherman. That being said is there anyone who would be able to tell me why they only bite at certain times of the night and when the best bite times are? I understand they don't bite on a bright moon. Does it have anything to do with the tides? I already know where to go to catch them and I have been able to do so with much success. The only problem is that I am missing that one piece of the puzzle of determining when and why they will feed. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. If it is possible to narrow it down to certain time span to fish for them then it would allow me to waste a lot less of my time and get more sleep. Also has anyone ever tried to use a hydroglow light to help attract them and if so was it successful? Thanks in advance for you help

Cowfighter..I would be interested in hearing about some of your techniques. Would like to find some "fairly" dependable ways and places to catch them...Thanks

go out past the reef to about 350 - 400 ft. after dark drift into about 150ft. jigging no. 15 sabiki's at about 100 ft. if unsuccessful on first drift go back out and make another drift. I have not found the reason why they bite or when so sometimes it is just a waiting game. Also look for them on the depth finder and target that depth if you find them.

Ill tell you what, when I want gogs ill go to about 400 feet. Ill start chumming all weed lines heavily. Ill wait to get to 150 feet before i start all over again. For me i get them in the day time. If you find weeds, your saved

iI like to soak the sabiki's in menhaden oil for 20 mins or so ... works for me

I find the early morning best around 0400. That way I can go right to the reef at sunrise. Try the D119E sabiki rig. It is very long but works very well. Make sure you use a heavy lead (1lb works well) on the rig. If you know what inlet the bait is in, try drifting from 120' to about 25' before exploring the deeper water. Good luck!

Round-eye scad hold on weeds in deep water? I ve seen them holding on a 60ft reef during the DAY time during a certain time of year.

For me, what works quite well is to drop anchor off the Hillsbouro inlet bouy about 1 hr before daybreak. I chum with a few cans of Kozy Kitten catfood, with several can opener holes punched in them. I rig with light spinning tackle and jig about 3 ft off the bottom with Mr Fishie rigs and a bottom weight. Best goggle bite comes just before daybreak, and lasts only about an hour. After daybreak comes the runners and other baits.

I don't regularly target goggle eyes, but I have run into a bunch of them a couple of hours after sunset in 40-60 feet on the reef off Key Biscayne. All that I could catch or wanted.

I caught a half dozen gogs at night out @ Keybiscayne in 60ft of water over a Reef. Could have caught more too.

when you use the sabiki put a "bug" on the end or even just rig up a pole with a bug on it (a bug is a weighted hook that has an eye on the weight and is usually painted yellow or white or whatever other color you might want) ...they are killer for goggle eyes