Fishing for Round Goby
The invasive species round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has gradually taken over the rocky and constructed coastal waters around Helsinki.
Basics of Fishing for Round Goby
Round goby tends to thrive in shallow waters from a meter deep and downwards. For beginners, it's not difficult to catch once you know the basics.
The coastal waters of Helsinki are full of spots worth trying for fishing round goby. For instance, you can successfully catch this species in the inner bays of Suomenlinna. However, the best fishing spots are practically the shores of central Helsinki. The largest populations have been observed by species hunters at Katajanokka, Ruoholahti canal, and the Market Square.
For researchers, all observations of this species' spread are very important. It's only a matter of time before reports come from rocky areas like Vuosaari harbor.
Fishing Techniques
There are many techniques for catching round goby. With traditional rod fishing, it's good to set the depth so that the float lies flat, meaning the weight is on the bottom. Gobies are not picky about bait size, so it's worth picking a good worm and letting it rest on the bottom. The bite might not be immediately noticeable with this technique, but by regularly lifting the rod and slightly changing spots, you can soon have a round goby on the hook.
When using a spinning rod, "dragging bottom fishing" works well. In this technique, you attach a weight to the main line with hooks and bait on leaders above it. You can drag this setup along the bottom while walking along the shore. Alternatively, you can keep the line tight and wait for a bite. The downside of this technique is the higher number of bites from other fish species.
You can also use a slip sinker rig with a spinning rod, a technique used in spring fishing for whitefish. Here, you see the bite by the rod tip's twitching, and you can equip the tip with a small bell.
With ice fishing equipment, you can drag the bait along the bottom or let it rest on the bottom waiting for a bite. Traditional "jigging" works too, but be prepared for perch strikes. Many other fish species inhabit traditional round goby areas. It's not uncommon to catch a several-kilogram bream at Katajanokka canal or a large perch in Ruoholahti.
Jukka Halonen prefers the first technique, where you leave the rod on the shore and check regularly if anything has bitten. A bait lying on the bottom reduces bites from other fish, allowing you to focus on your target species.
Don't be startled by the bite; the fish might pull the bait into a crevice and stay there for a while before coming out. The fish can also put up a surprisingly strong fight, so it's good to have a thick enough line, as round goby is quite powerful.
With these location and technique tips, you can get started with catching this species. Anglers' rumors say that despite its appearance, round goby is a very tasty fish!
Text: Jukka Halonen
Photos: Jukka Halonen, Juha Salonen
