Catching these guys was tricky. I tried snagging them outright at first, but their armor plating makes that tough. I switched gears and worked on my timing to snag it in the mouth. Then I repeated it.

Species: Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus)
Location: Lake Fran Urban Wetlands, Orlando, FL
Date: July 7, 2018

My first night in Florida amounted to me being terrified for my life as I tried night fishing for Florida Gar and Bowfin.

A gun went off within 50 yards of where I was standing, and I lost it. Read that terrifying/embarrassing story here.

I caught a single Spotted Sunfish and a Florida Bass by hand. This isn’t a legal fishing method in Florida, and every other species on my list hasn’t been counted unless it was caught by traditional fishing techniques. Plus, I’m pretty sure catching bass by hand isn’t legal in Florida, so I deferred it down the list until I caught one for real.

I did notice some massive plecostomus right up against the shoreline after awhile and opted to try for those. They wouldn’t touch bait, so I tried to snag them. It’s legal, and I normally count any legal methods.

I hooked one in the side after numerous failed attempts, but it was not a good hookup, and the surprisingly strong fish quickly popped free.

By then it was almost 1:30 a.m., and reverse jet-lag or not, I needed some sleep.

***

I returned the next day and decided to start with other fish, though I caught nothing new.

Eventually, I found myself looking at the loud designs of a Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish once again.

I tried and failed to snag it, so I changed gears.

“What about flossing?” I wondered aloud.

The technique anglers use to float a hook into the open mouth of a salmon with lockjaw far enough into its spawning journey that it’s not longer feeding. It’s ethically gray, but a common practice among many PNW salmon anglers I know.

For a widespread invasive species, though, I had absolutely no ethical qualms.

I put on a treble hook and positioned it ahead of the feeding exotic. It took about an hour, but eventually, I got it to swim right over the hook. Once it’s mouth was over the hook, I raised up.

Fish on!

It fought well, but I got it in without much issue. A few quick pictures, and I turned it loose.

I wasn’t kidding. The patience and timing required for this was one of my greatest accomplishments.

These fish are decent-sized, and I’ve heard rumors they taste like lobster, but I’d imagine cleaning one would be a nightmare. Further, Florida’s freshwater landscape is a disgusting near-cesspool of reclaimed water, so I wouldn’t eat anything out of there to begin with.

I repeated this a second time, snagging another one in the mouth, and then left the algae eaters alone and focused on other fish.

#SpeciesQuest // #CaughtOvgard

Read the next entry in #SpeciesQuest here: Species #133 — Eastern Mosquitofish.

Luke Ovgard Rough Fishing, SpeciesQuest , , ,

116 Replies

  12. Magnificent website. Plenty of helpful info here. I?¦m sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks on your sweat!

  14. Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?

  39. Hey would you mind letting me know which web host you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good hosting provider at a fair price? Cheers, I appreciate it!

  40. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really understand what you’re talking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also consult with my website =). We can have a hyperlink trade arrangement among us!

  42. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  45. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I’m inspired! Extremely useful info specifically the closing phase 🙂 I deal with such info a lot. I used to be seeking this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  47. Thanks for some other informative blog. The place else could I am getting that kind of information written in such a perfect method? I have a project that I am simply now working on, and I have been on the glance out for such information.

  48. Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely useful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was looking for this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  60. Pingback: buy cheap androxal uk online pharmacy
  61. Pingback: buy enclomiphene overnight cod
  62. Pingback: purchase rifaximin generic does it work
  63. Pingback: buying xifaxan lowest price
  64. Pingback: buying staxyn online mastercard accepted
  65. Pingback: purchase avodart uk meds
  66. Pingback: ordering dutasteride generic from canada
  67. Pingback: how to buy flexeril cyclobenzaprine canada on sale
  68. Pingback: gabapentin in canada
  69. Pingback: fildena no perscription worldwide
  70. Pingback: get itraconazole lowest price viagra
  71. Pingback: koupit kamagra z kanady
  72. Pingback: kamagra sans ordonnance expédition fedex usa

  73. Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such great info being shared freely out there.

  74. Thank you, I have just been searching for info approximately this topic for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve found out till now. But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you positive about the supply?

  75. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appearance. I must say you’ve done a superb job with this. Also, the blog loads super fast for me on Safari. Superb Blog!

  82. Create unlimited temporary email addresses for free with 0mail Pro. Enjoy fast, secure, and anonymous temp mail services – no registration required.

  86. I think this is among the most vital info for me. And i’m glad studying your article. But should statement on some common things, The website style is perfect, the articles is actually nice : D. Good job, cheers

  97. I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.

  113. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my permission. Do you know any methods to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d really appreciate it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Species #131 — Umpqua Pikeminnow
Species #133 — Eastern Mosquitofish