| Friday, August 17, 2007 |
| Hitch Hiker Fishing Tackle Removes Unwanted Guests |
When most people first begin to drive they are advised not to pick up hitch hikers, but commercial boats and larger fish apparently miss out on that advice. As a result, unwanted fish often pick up a ride on unsuspecting vessels, which if dropped off in new territory can create problems with the natural order of things. Hitch hiker fishing tackle can be used to help remove any threat, but in some cases, the hitch hiking fish can also provide a benefit.
For example, Round Gobies, natives of Eurasia have hitched rides in the holds of ocean-going vessels and found themselves in water adjacent to the St. Lawrence seaway. The invasion of the gobies has had a negative impact on the population of such fish as the smallmouth bass and walleye in the Great Lakes. Hitch hiker fishing tackle that attracts the bottom-feeding species has been successful, and since they show a trend of feeding on the eggs and fry of lake trout, that type of bait is also proving successful.
Another Great Lakes fishing threat that arrived a little before the Gobies were Zebra Mussels, which are turning out to be used with hitch hiker fishing tackle. Gobies appear to love the mussels and on average can eat up to 75 a day, which while helpful will not eliminate the zebra mussel population.
Gobies Compete With Sculpins For Food
Anglers in Michigan and western Ohio are reporting increased competition for their baits when they are fishing for walleye with round gobies usually winning the race to the hook. Unfortunately, not all anglers can recognize the gobie, often mistaking them for sculpins and throwing them back in the water. While fishing for walleye is common on the Great Lakes and hitch hiker fishing tackle appearing to be similar, familiarizing themselves with the gobie could help eliminate this pest.
Looking at the bottom of the two fish, the sculpins have two separate pelvic dorsal fins while the round gobie has the two pelvic dorsal fins fused together. From the top and the side that share amazing similarities and hitch hiker fishing tackle will work for them both. The sculpins will commonly have a dark spot near the bottom of the dorsal fin, which is lacking on the gobie.
Many times fishing equipment as well as water sports equipment will harbor hitch hikers when you leave an area where they are present. Before leaving, check everything to make sure you are not carrying a stowaway to other areas that have not yet become infected by outsiders, and if you catch anything using hitch hiker fishing tackle, do not put it back into the water. Instead, report your findings to the nearest fish and game office. |
posted by Sharon @ 8:42 PM  |
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