Are you looking for a new challenge in your fishing adventures? If so, then catching saugeye might be just the thing for you. Saugeye are hybrid fish that are a cross between a walleye and a sauger, making them strong and feisty fighters.

How to catch Saugeye, a hybrid fish resulting from the crossbreeding of a walleye and a sauger, can be an exciting and rewarding experience for anglers. Known for their elusive nature and fighting spirit, saugeye requires skill, patience, and the proper techniques to successfully reel in.

These fish are typically found in lakes, reservoirs, and rivers, where they prefer calmer waters with ample cover, such as submerged structures or rocky areas. Understanding their behavior, preferred habitats and feeding patterns is crucial for increasing your chances of success.

This guide will provide key tips and strategies to help you effectively target and catch saugeye.

What Are the Benefits of Catching Saugeye?

Before diving into the techniques and strategies for catching saugeye, it’s essential to understand why this fish is a sought-after catch. Here are some benefits of targeting saugeye:

• Thrilling Fighting Ability: Due to their hybrid nature, saugeye have inherited the strength and fighting spirit from walleye and sauger. This makes them a fun and challenging catch for anglers.
• Delicious Flavor: Saugeye is known for its mild, delicate flavor similar to walleye’s. They make tasty meals when cooked fresh or frozen for later consumption.
• Year-round Availability: Unlike other game fish only available during certain seasons, saugeye can be targeted year-round. This makes them a great option for anglers who want to fish throughout the year.
• Opportunity for Bigger Catches: Saugeye have been known to grow larger and faster than their parent species, making them an excellent target for trophy hunters.

These are just a few of the benefits that come with catching saugeye. Now, let’s dive into some tips and techniques for how to successfully catch this elusive hybrid fish.

What Will You Need?

Before heading out to catch saugeye, ensure you have the right gear and equipment. Here’s a checklist of what you’ll need:

• Fishing Rod and Reel: Choose a medium to medium-heavy rod that is around 6-7 feet long with a fast or extra-fast action. A spinning reel is recommended for longer casts and better control over your line.
• Fishing Line: Opt for 8-10lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Due to their sharp teeth, a braided line is not recommended when targeting saugeye.
• Hooks: Use size 2 or 4 hooks with a single barb, as saugeye have smaller mouths than their parent species.
• Lures: Saugeye are opportunistic feeders and can be caught using a variety of bait such as crankbaits, jigs, spinners, and soft plastics. Choose natural colors that mimic their prey, such as shad or minnow patterns.
• Tools: Bring pliers and hook removers for easy hook removal and any necessary adjustments to your gear.

8 Easy Steps on How to Catch Saugeye

Step 1. Find the Right Location:

Saugeye are typically found in reservoirs, lakes, and rivers with clear to slightly stained water. They prefer areas with a mix of rocky and sandy bottoms and structures like drop-offs, points, or submerged brush.

During the day, saugeye often retreat to deeper, cooler waters or hide near cover, making these locations ideal for targeting them. Early morning and late evening are the best times to fish, as saugeye become more active and move closer to the shorelines to feed. Use a depth finder or fish finder to locate underwater structures where saugeye are likely to be hiding. Additionally, consult local fishing reports or maps to identify high-activity spots.

Step 2. Choose the Right Gear: 

Selecting appropriate gear is crucial for successfully catching saugeye. Use a medium to medium-light spinning or baitcasting rod with a reliable reel. Spool your reel with 6-10 lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon line, as these provide the sensitivity and strength needed when fishing for saugeye.

A good selection of jigs, crankbaits, spinners, and live bait rigs, such as nightcrawlers or minnows, will ensure you are prepared for different conditions and saugeye preferences. Always ensure your gear is in good working condition before heading out to avoid unnecessary complications on the water.

Step 3. Master Your Presentation: 

The way you present your bait or lure can significantly influence your success in catching saugeye. Use a slow and steady retrieve to mimic the natural movement of prey, as saugeye are often attracted to subtle, lifelike actions. If you’re jigging, vary your technique by incorporating small hops or pauses to entice strikes. When using live bait rigs, ensure the bait is fresh and properly hooked to maintain its natural movement.

Pay attention to the water’s clarity and adjust your lure colors accordingly—brighter colors work well in murky water, while more natural tones are effective in clear conditions. Fine-tuning your presentation based on the environment and saugeye behavior will significantly improve your chances of a good catch.

Step 4. Understand Saugeye Behavior: 

To increase your chances of catching saugeye, it’s essential to understand their behavior and preferred habitats. Saugeye are most active during low-light conditions, such as early morning, late evening, or overcast days.

They typically favor areas with structures like submerged rocks, drop-offs, and points where they can ambush prey. During cooler months, they may be found in deeper waters, while in warmer seasons, they tend to move closer to shorelines, especially near currents or inflows where baitfish are abundant. By studying their seasonal patterns and adapting your fishing strategy accordingly, you can target saugeye with greater precision.

Step 5. Use the Right Equipment: 

Selecting the proper equipment is crucial for a successful saugeye fishing experience. Medium to medium-light spinning rods paired with a high-quality reel offer the sensitivity and durability needed for detecting bites and handling the fight of a hooked saugeye. Use a braided or fluorocarbon line in the 6-12 lb test range, as it provides both strength and low visibility.

Furthermore, ensure you have a variety of lures such as jigs, crankbaits, or spinnerbaits to match the fishing conditions and saugeye preferences. Don’t forget essential tools like a landing net, pliers, and a tackle box to keep your gear organized and functional. Choosing the right equipment will help you prepare for whatever challenges you encounter on the water. 

Step 6. Use the Right Bait: 

Saugeye can be caught on a wide range of bait, but live bait or soft plastics are most effective. Live bait like nightcrawlers, minnows, or leeches can be used with various rigs such as Carolina rig, slip bobber rig, or drop shot rig.

As for soft plastics, choose natural colors like shad or minnow patterns and use them on jigs or drop shot rigs. Experiment with different bait sizes and types to determine what works best in your fishing spot. When using live bait, ensure it is lively and properly hooked to attract saugeye’s attention.

Step 7. Practice Proper Hook Set Techniques: 

Setting the hook properly is crucial when targeting saugeye to ensure a successful catch. Once you feel a bite or notice a change in your line’s tension, acting quickly but not too forcefully is essential. Gently reel in the slack to ensure tension on the line, then perform a firm, upward hook set using your rod.

Avoid yanking excessively, as this may cause the hook to pull out of the fish’s mouth or break the line. A lighter hook set is usually sufficient if you’re using a treble hook, as these hooks tend to embed easily, given their multiple points. Practice timing and technique to hone this skill, as a poorly executed hook set can result in missed opportunities or lost fish. Remember, the key is to engage the hook without overwhelming force to maximize your chances of landing the saugeye efficiently and safely.

Step 8. Safely Handle and Release Saugeye: 

Once you’ve successfully landed a saugeye, handling it carefully is essential to ensure the fish’s well-being, especially if you plan to release it. Use wet hands or a damp cloth to minimize damage to the fish’s protective slime coating.

Avoid squeezing the fish too hard, as this can cause internal injuries. If you need to remove the hook, use a pair of needle-nose pliers or a hook remover tool, being cautious not to injure the fish further. When releasing the saugeye, gently place it back into the water and support it until it regains its strength and swims away. Proper handling practices contribute to the conservation of saugeye populations and help maintain a healthy ecosystem for future fishing experiences.

Following these eight essential steps can significantly increase your chances of catching saugeye and having a more enjoyable fishing experience.

Conclusion

How to catch saugeye requires a combination of preparation, technique, and respect for the environment.

You can improve your success rate by understanding the habits and habitats of saugeye, selecting the right gear and bait, and employing effective fishing strategies. Equally important is handling the fish responsibly to ensure their survival and the sustainability of their populations.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, applying these practices enhances your fishing experience and helps preserve the sport for generations to come.