Species: Dollar Sunfish (Lepomis marginatus)
Location: Lake Fran Urban Wetlands, Orlando, FL
Date: July 7, 2018
You don’t need to go to McDonald’s to find the Dollar Menu because Dollar Sunfish are on the menu for damn near every fish in the Southeastern United States.
In Florida, this means bass and gar and Bowfin, as well as the myriad exotics that prowl the reclaimed waters and swamps of the Sunshine State are looking for ways to make a Dollar disappear faster than Disneyworld.
Fortunately for me, a friend told me where to find Dollar Sunfish, and his directions were right on the money.
If you’d like to catch a Dollar Sunfish of your own, look no further. The buck stops here.
These pretty little fish were somewhat rare in open water, but I found Dollars to be especially common in one type of habitat: close to the bank. Go figure.
The heavily vegetated shoreline in a host of waters seemed to fill a unique niche for Dollar Sunfish. Scientists have yet to write a whole lot about this behavior, but that’s likely because more has been written about the Dollar by economists than by icthyologists.
Mysterious behavior aside, most of us are just happy getting our money’s worth, so the Dollar retains its aura.
Considering they top out around six inches, they’re not seriously targeted by anglers, but they are popular with other fishes. It’s no wonder these little fish hide in the shadows; they’re so perfectly snackable that most predators eat off the Dollar Menu in Florida.
***
I didn’t see any in the water, but I knew they were there.
At first, I tried micro gear and managed to catch a few. It felt like a scene out of Little Rascals or a GEICO commercial, me sitting there with a Dollar on the end of a hook, flopping around in the wind.
Nobody came to try and steal the Dollar, though, so the comedic potential of the situation was wasted.
There were a lot of other species nearby that I had yet to catch, so I stopped chasing the almighty Dollar after palming half a dozen.
It was insanely hot and muggy but I had no plans to take off anything more than my shirt in pursuit of a single Dollar, so I turned on a dime and decided to chase something else.
After all, time is money.
***
The trip wore on.
Though one Dollar by itself didn’t seem very valuable, I invested a few Dollars in other liquid assets in pursuit of larger fish. I learned the true value of a Dollar when I managed to catch my first Bowfin using a single Dollar. Haha, single.
Wallet may be okay to spend a few Dollars here and there, as I did in pursuit of Bowfin, I found it beneficial to save every Dollar I could. Un-American though it was, I saved almost every Dollar that came into possession rather than turning it into blood money.
Everyone knows it’s a bad idea to bet your bottom Dollar and letting most fish go keeps the population healthy.
Nonetheless, after a long day of saving one Dollar after another, it was I who was spent. So I cashed out and headed to a restaurant to grab some much needed food.
***
The moral of this story is that a Dollar can go a long way. I hope this tale of Dollars made sense, but don’t call me a writer. When I hand out knowledge about the Dollar, I like to be called a teller.
I’m not a rude person, so let me leave with a five-Dollar tip, or rather, five tips about Dollars. If you follow these, I promise you won’t wind up a day late and a Dollar short:
1) Dollar Sunfish are small, and one Dollar doesn’t go very far, but a bunch of Dollars, working together, help to feed a lot of hungry fish. They’re an incredibly important part of the ecosystem, and each Dollar plays its part.
2) For just one Dollar per day, you can probably feed yourself in Florida. Bowfin, bass, and gar will all happily eat one, and then you can play the next part in the food chain.
3) This is about the only Dollar you won’t see at church. They simply don’t get large enough to make a good a fish fry.
4) If you didn’t like this column, I apologize, but I have to churn out stories and sometimes I get complacent and just look at work like it’s another day, another Dollar.
5) If you like fish puns, check out my blog, www.caughtovgard.com. It has a ton of other, typically shorter stories about fish that are pretty interesting even if they don’t fetch top Dollar.
#SpeciesQuest // #CaughtOvgard
Read the next entry in #SpeciesQuest here: Species #137 — Seminole Killifish.
I¦ll right away take hold of your rss as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me realize in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Hi caughtovgard.com webmaster, Your posts are always informative and well-explained.
o1mse9
9fi5dh
30q0yk
d50e2a
r8jiv9
smik6k
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
on01n8
zt2duj
tnjh20
nzfxz3
Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
Hi caughtovgard.com admin, Good job!
tcvx8b
40h2sf
gum0ps
b15bbj
Well I really liked reading it. This article procured by you is very constructive for good planning.
6ppl7k
Hiya! I just wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the good data you will have here on this post. I can be coming back to your weblog for extra soon.
Dear caughtovgard.com owner, Thanks for the well-structured and well-presented post!
nc2035
Hi caughtovgard.com owner, You always provide great examples and real-world applications.
Hello caughtovgard.com owner, Your posts are always well written.
Precisely what I was looking for, regards for putting up.
You have noted very interesting points! ps nice website . “I hate music, especially when it’s played.” by Jimmy Durante.
Keep working ,impressive job!
I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!
I like this web blog very much so much excellent information.
I am extremely inspired together with your writing skills as well as with the format in your weblog. Is this a paid topic or did you modify it your self? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s uncommon to look a great blog like this one these days..
I?¦ve read a few excellent stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot attempt you place to make this kind of magnificent informative web site.
What Is Puravive? Puravive is an herbal weight loss supplement that supports healthy weight loss in individuals.
Great – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task.
This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
I am no longer sure where you’re getting your info, however good topic. I must spend some time studying much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful info I used to be looking for this information for my mission.
You made some good points there. I looked on the internet for the subject matter and found most persons will consent with your website.
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome website!
Keep working ,splendid job!
Good post. I learn one thing more challenging on different blogs everyday. It should all the time be stimulating to read content material from different writers and observe a bit one thing from their store. I’d want to make use of some with the content on my blog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a hyperlink on your internet blog. Thanks for sharing.
Very interesting topic, regards for posting.
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.
To the caughtovgard.com admin, Thanks for the educational content!
To the caughtovgard.com admin, You always provide great resources and references.
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem. You’re amazing! Thanks!
This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
Hi caughtovgard.com administrator, Your posts are always well structured and easy to follow.
Good info and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is truly the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where to hire some professional writers? Thanks 🙂
What i do not understood is in reality how you’re not actually much more smartly-preferred than you may be right now. You are very intelligent. You understand thus considerably in terms of this topic, made me individually consider it from so many numerous angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated except it’s one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!
I like this weblog its a master peace ! Glad I discovered this on google .
There are some fascinating cut-off dates in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There’s some validity however I will take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish more! Added to FeedBurner as effectively
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
Only a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design and style. “Reading well is one of the great pleasures that solitude can afford you.” by Harold Bloom.
Sweet website , super layout, really clean and utilize genial.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
Merely a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style.
I am not really great with English but I find this rattling easygoing to read .
Normally I do not read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice article.
I am glad that I discovered this web blog, exactly the right information that I was looking for! .
I discovered your blog website on google and examine a couple of of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I simply further up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. In search of ahead to studying more from you in a while!…
Very interesting subject, regards for putting up.
It is really a great and useful piece of information. I am happy that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
I?¦m now not positive where you are getting your information, but good topic. I must spend some time finding out more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was in search of this information for my mission.
What are Ageless Knees? Ageless Knees is a knee pain relieving program. Chris Ohocinski, a State-Licensed and Nationally Certified Athletic Trainer, came up with this program.
I’m impressed, I have to say. Really not often do I encounter a blog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you could have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is excellent; the issue is one thing that not enough people are talking intelligently about. I’m very completely satisfied that I stumbled across this in my seek for one thing referring to this.
Tonic Greens: An Overview Introducing Tonic Greens, an innovative immune support supplement meticulously crafted with potent antioxidants, essential minerals, and vital vitamins.
ProNerve 6 nerve relief formula stands out due to its advanced formula combining natural ingredients that have been specifically put together for the exceptional health advantages it offers.
You made a few good points there. I did a search on the subject and found the majority of people will go along with with your blog.
Thank you for another informative site. Where else may just I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I have a venture that I am simply now working on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.
You actually make it appear so easy together with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I feel I might never understand. It kind of feels too complicated and very huge for me. I am taking a look forward for your next submit, I¦ll try to get the grasp of it!
F*ckin’ awesome things here. I’m very glad to see your article. Thanks a lot and i am looking forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?
F*ckin’ tremendous things here. I am very glad to look your post. Thanks so much and i am having a look forward to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
You made some clear points there. I did a search on the subject and found most guys will go along with with your website.
I was reading some of your blog posts on this site and I think this site is really informative! Retain posting.
Some really interesting information, well written and generally user genial.
Outstanding post, you have pointed out some fantastic points, I as well think this s a very fantastic website.
Wow, marvelous blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, let alone the content!