We have had success catching goldfish on the fly and on spinning rods. Our most productive colors have been yellow and basic shad pattern. Whether you are presenting a fly or a lure, here are our 2 MOST IMPORTANT tips when it comes to catching goldfish.
1. Make sure the lure/fly is small enough to fit in their mouth. While these fish may look like carp or koi, their mouth is only about the size of a dime. We missed A LOT of hooksets trying to figure out these fish. They would hit the tail and the fly would pull right out of their mouths on the hookset. Since these fish are so easy to see under the water, we have only been sight fishing for them. Set the hook as soon as they inhale it.
2. Most important tip for lure/fly presentation – All fish have been caught while letting the fly/lure drop. Stripping or jigging it in front of their face will get them interested, but as soon as you pause and let the fly sink is when they will hit. It is important to not use a lure that is too heavy because if it drops too fast, they will give up pursuing it.
