Pogies

3189 Views 18 Replies 12 Participants Last post by WVangler, Jul 14, 2014

century1901

Discussion Starter · Jul 9, 2014

Wondering if anybody uses live pogies for trout. I have had a little luck in the past with them but never hear much talk about it. Throwing the net this morning it seemed like there were millions of them. Felt like you were dragging bricks in there were so many in the net.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Troutman

· #2 · Jul 9, 2014

My second biggest trout was caught on a live pogy. Night fishing in June behind the Biloxi Belle Casino. 7 lbs 1 oz.

When I used to fish with live bait more often, live pogies were my favorite from early summer into fall. Awesome bait, simple to get and FREE! A little more challenging to keep alive then shrimp or croakers but nothing too complicated.

I know growing up fishing with 22Skeeter & his dad alot, that's all we ever used when I was with them. His pops would get pretty excited when spotting a school in late fall (when they are more scarce vs. summer). Funny story about losing a brill net there...

ChickenOfTheSea

· #3 · Jul 9, 2014

Never had great success with them. They just die on the hook so easy. That's part of the reason I love bull minnows so much and croakers next. How do yall hook the pogies so they stay alive longer?

Marsh Rat

· #4 · Jul 9, 2014

Though I don't fish with live bait often anymore, I've had good success with pogies. They are hard to keep alive and do die on the hook pretty quickly, but when you are in the fish, the trout don't seem to mind. As with artificials, they are often hitting movement. Probably won't have as much success just letting it sit on the bottom, but whether free-lining or under a cork, giving some movement will yield plenty of strikes. Some hook them back near the tail, but I hook them through the "dot" on their back just forward of where a dorsal fin would be. Seems they stay on the hook better for me by hooking them there and I'm not too worried about their on-hook life span. And my favorite thing about pogies is, as mentioned, a couple throws of the cast net will give you a trip's worth of bait.

Troutman

· #5 · Jul 9, 2014 (Edited)

I've always hooked them through the tops of the eye sockets. in one, out the other. (or in one and out the top of the head if your barb is small) they do die a lot faster than some other baits but as soon as they start to fade, replace with a fresh one (nearly always easy to catch more if you run out).

It helps to start with lively pogies in the live well too! Couple of things I believe that helps... When you empty the cast net, put them in a bucket full of water for a few minutes prior to going inside the live well. This gives them a few minutes to regurgitate (a real mess and dirties the water pretty bad) plus other reasons the water will get "bad". after 2-3 minutes, place what you want in the live well. Growing up I only used a 48 qt cooler with a recirc bait pump. easy to keep about 4 or 5 dozen alive in there for several hours. The livewell water will get dirty too but the bucket routine helps a lot. A lot of people use a circular livewell (and I agree it is better vs. a retangular cooler for pogies).

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ChickenOfTheSea

· #6 · Jul 9, 2014

Thanks. I've heard of others doing well with them. I was just curious. I was told to hook the eye socket like you said

taproot

· #7 · Jul 9, 2014

Before I ever knew what a Pogie was, I was blind castnetting in that bayou on Beach Blvd. down by the Silver Slipper and on one throw, I caught what had to have bee 1000+. The incoming tide was rushing through there so fast, I dang near got pulled off the bridge and into the bayou. Thought I was hung up, 'til it pulled back! lol Had to drag 'em over to the side to get 'em out. [omg]

flounda

· #8 · Jul 9, 2014

Trout were hitting them last weekend. I hook them through the lips, just like a bull minnow. And yes they die, so just replace them. Dead ones don't seem to do much good.

Marsh Rat

· #9 · Jul 9, 2014

Hope to fish with some this afternoon and will try the eye socket method. Sounds pretty logical that they will live longer. Old habits..

Rocko

· #10 · Jul 9, 2014

I had a situation where I could catch them regularly of my dock so it was a great situation, plus I couldn't afford croakers every day. Don't overload the live well, hook them through the lips (or eyes) with a 3/0 Kahle hook, the trout love them. Fish'em on a carolina rig or under a cork and you should have success. I used them for 20+ years with great success. One tip, when you catch them, put them in another container for a few minutes before you put them in your well. They tend to "puke" as soon as you catch them so if you can avoid getting that mess in your well, they will live a lot longer.

Troutman

· #11 · Jul 9, 2014

great for flounder and reds too.

I know a local charter guide uses small pogies on white trout reefs at times. White trout love them and you have a better chance of catching any specs that might be hanging around at the same time (vs using dead bait for the whites)

@work

· #12 · Jul 10, 2014

I've personally witnessed two 6 lb. trout caught in the Mobile River on live pogies we netted earlier that morning in the river. Pogies are a summertime "go to" bait in the Mobile River.

Capt. Chief

· #13 · Jul 10, 2014

I'm all about the croaker. They stay alive in the baitwell and on the hook longer. Big Trout and Reds love 'em!

.......but that's just my preference.

wild bill

· #14 · Jul 10, 2014

shooterchief said:
I'm all about the croaker. They stay alive in the baitwell and on the hook longer. Big Trout and Reds love 'em!

.......but that's just my preference.

+1

oyster jigger

· #15 · Jul 10, 2014

flounders love the big ones

Troutman

· #16 · Jul 10, 2014

shooterchief said:
I'm all about the croaker. They stay alive in the baitwell and on the hook longer. Big Trout and Reds love 'em!

.......but that's just my preference.

Makes sense to me! Croaker would be my preference too if making longer runs and needing bait longer than just a couple hours. Pogies role seem to be a good option if fishing really short distances from where they can be easily caught.

Rocko

· #17 · Jul 10, 2014

Sure, croakers are the bait of choice but Pogies can easily be kept alive for two days if you do it right. I've done it hundreds of times.
Use a smooth round bait well or bait tank, no ridges or corners
Circulate only overboard water and drain from the bottom, if you can
Don't overload the tank
Let'em puke first before putting them in the tank, keep the tank covered and don't let the grandkids play in the tank.

Marsh Rat

· #18 · Jul 14, 2014

After suggestions on where to best hook the pogies, I did some experimentation. My old technique of "through the back" is out. Through the eye sockets is far superior. They stay alive lots longer and are able to "swim" better. As I went through the exercise, it reminded me to practice what I preach in my work world. Just because you've always done something one way doesn't mean that it's the best way! With fishing, don't rely on old habits.. minor changes in technique or presentation may just be superior and catch more fish.

WVangler

· #19 · Jul 14, 2014

I had a guy tell me to use 2 buckets to kerp them alive. You put them in the first bucket and spin the water with your hand. It gets the fish back to swimming after the shock of the net. Then after they settle down you will notice a pile of crap and scales in the middle of your bucket then transfer to the other bucket. They should live no problem with an airerator. I rarely have them die because they get used up so fast. Then again I only keep about 2 doz at the most if they are small 1 if they are big.

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