Catching wild fish

[Kris P Bacon]

Was walking down the sidewalk the other day and noticed a ditch with a small amount of water. It was loaded with sailfin mollies, saw the males blue tails flashing in the sun. Well, I have experience attempting to run them down with a dip net...

So I went and got my cast net and returned. The ditch is so small only about half the 6 ft net hit the water. It was loaded with mollies, both mature males and females. Also a beautiful African jewel cichlid, about 4 inches and very red with many turquoise spots. I got the fish I wanted and tossed the rest back in. It is amazing what can live in a small ditch.

And yes I know, wild fish possible diseases.

 

[MrsE88]

Lucky. I’d love to live in an area where I could catch fish like that.

 

[Kris P Bacon]

Lucky. I’d love to live in an area where I could catch fish like that.

I live in Sw Florida, as you head further south, there are far more exotics and invasives. The jewel cichlids and plecos and tilapia are well established in the peace river, near my house.

Most assume the jewel cichlids are a panfish type. I did until I researched and IDed them.

 

[Kris P Bacon]

My three methods of capture, dip net, inverted funnel trap (home made) and cast net. Cast net is my last resort, rough on the fish, especially if gilled. Pic of my funnel trap...