I haven't been able to kayak the past month because of a wrist issue. It's been a while since I caught a new species, so I did a mini road trip up to Big Bear and Lake Gregory to catch some easy ones. Added prickly sculpin and tule perch to my lifelist.
Prickly sculpin (+1) and green sunfish from Big Bear.
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Tule perch (+1) from Gregory.
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And then a bonus LMB from the Santa Ana River. Was hoping to see some arroyo chubs since I haven't caught any in a few years, but all I saw were bass.
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Since I'm already writing this post, last weekend I checked out a ditch off the Sweetwater River because I heard there were sailfin mollies living down there. Sure enough I saw loads of them, but I couldn't get one to bite. I took some underwater photos so at least I have proof they're there.
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Bycatch were California killifish, topsmelt, and chameleon goby. There were tons of round rays too, but I avoided them.
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The fact that someone who has intel on sailfin mollies even exists blows my mind.
Damn Ben! I can't believe all of the small exotic fish are making me jealous right now!
That Chameleon Goby is bad ass and I'm right with Len. I heard of the Sailfin Mollies being around, but that is so cool that you got pictures of them! Bravo sir!
Oh, and the Tule perch! If I get my shoulder surgically fixed, I'll have to resort to some light line species hunting I guess.
As always............great pictures. I hope your wrist gets better soon, missing your kayak reports.
That tule perch looks sick, as does the chameleon goby. Nice job on the new species. You're giving me ideas for some day trips.
Whoa whoa whoa, I read your blog. Tule perch are a freshwater surfperch???? That's a weird way to say it, but I was tripping on how different individuals have similar shape to calico surfperch or kelp perch.