NANFA-- The Monster Florida Fling (way long)

Rose Lawn Museum (roselawn_at_mindspring.com)
Fri, 07 Feb 2003 12:12:50 -0500

Site #3: Olustee Creek at FL 18, NE of High Springs

Species collected/observed

Redbreast sunfish (L. auritus)
Spotted sunfish (L. punctatus)
Bass [possibly the Suwanee bass (Micropterus notius)]
Blackbanded darter (Percina nigrofasciata)
Bluespotted sunfish (E. gloriosus)
Yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis)

Moving further south, the guys returned to the main body of the Santa Fe.

Site #4: Santa Fe River at US 441/US 41/FL 25, NW of High Springs

Pugnose minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae)
Coastal shiner (Notropis petersoni)
Least killifish (H. formosa)
E. mosquitofish (G. holbrooki)
Bluefin killifish (L. goodei)
Redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus)
Bluegill (L. macrochirus)
Redbreast sunfish (L. auritus)
Spotted sunfish (L. punctatus)
Tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus)
Hogchoker (Trinectes maculatus)
Banded pygmy sunfish (Elassoma zonatum)
Okefenokee pygmy sunfish (E. okefenokee)
Swamp darter (Etheostoma fusiforme)
Golden shiner (N. crysoleucas)

By the time the group reached the next spot, they made phone contact with
Steven Ellis (Kennesaw, GA) racing in from Georgia. With a few good
directions, they guided him in safely. From that point, two-radios were
used to keep the caravan together, but not without a few inevitable
separations.

Site #5: Santa Fe River at US 27/FL 20, NW of High Springs

Working under a bridge, Harvey found the action and barrel of an 8mm Mauser
and one spent shell casing in the chamber. (Somebody must have had a bad
day hunting!) Using a variety of collecting methods (including the
electro-shocker), the gang observed/collected

Banded pygmy sunfish (E. zonatum)
Bluegill (L. macrochirus)
Redbreast sunfish (L. auritus)
Spotted sunfish (L. punctatus)
Redear sunfish (L. microlophus)
Tadpole madtom (N. gyrinus)
Hogchoker (T. maculatus)
Brown darter (Etheostoma edwini) - the only one caught on the trip
Swamp darter (E. fusiforme)
Bluefin killifish (L. goodei)
Least killifish (H. formosa)
E. mosquitofish (G. holbrooki)
Sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna)
Lake chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta)

At that point, they decided they were ready to see something a little
different. So, they headed toward Gainesville to a location that Charles
and Harvey had scoped out the day before. It was a boat ramp/staging area
for Newnans Lake.

Site #6: Boat ramp on east side of Newnans Lake just off FL 234, N of
Rochelle.

The place was a real Kodak moment. The concrete ramp, flanked by a narrow
wooden dock, terminated in a blackwater channel leading out to the lake.
Nearby cypress trees had long beards of Spanish moss hanging over a wide
grassy area that provided easy access to the water. Species
collected/observed included

Flag fish (Jordanella floridae)
Least killifish (H. formosa)
E. mosquitofish (G. holbrooki)
Sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna)
Golden topminnow (F. chrysotus) - many of these were melanistic
Bluegill (L. macrochirus)
Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) - dead one

They tried to find an access onto Lake Weir to look for the Lake Eustis
pupfish, to no avail. After searching for awhile, they decided it was time
to head to Tampa for the night, lodging at the Shoney's Inn near the
University of South Florida. They were greeted by Allen Boatman (Lutz, FL).

After unloading and showering, the group re-assembled for the evening meal,
carpooling to a seafood joint called Shell's. Allen gave interesting (not
to say geographically accurate) directions to the restaurant. Those in
Steven's car actually found the place through a combination of methods,
like cosmic vibrations and a chance sighting of Charles' truck.

For a brief time, it looked as though seating a party of nine on a Friday
night might take awhile. However, the man in charge (who looked more like a
bouncer) convinced them to split into two smaller bunches, and got them to
tables in almost no time. The fare was good and the company was even better.

Returning to the motel, the expedition gained another member as Doug Dame
(Interlachen, FL) arrived. Bedtime came early for most of the travelers,
some of who were operating on as little as two hours sleep from the
previous night.

Saturday morning dawned chilly with an overcast sky, perhaps hinting at the
ominous national news that came a little later in the day. As many took
advantage of the continental breakfast supplied by the motel, the parking
lot began to fill up with fishheads.

The original members of the fish chase were joined by the FL delegation
(many from the Suncoast Killifish Society) including Allen Boatman, Ben
Klein & his dad Sig (Tampa, FL), Tim Clark (Bradenton, FL), Jim Cormier
(St. Petersburg, FL), Mike Jacobs (St. Petersburg, FL), Michael Lobello
(Valrico, FL), NANFA FL Rep. Charlie Nunziata (Seminole, FL), Bill Shields
& his son Andrew (Tampa, FL), and Brian Skidmore (Tampa, FL). Mike was an
instant hit with Super Bowl numerals (in honor of those amazing Bucs!)
shaved into his hairdo. Eleven vehicles lined up and resumed the quest.

Site #7: Cypress Creek just off of FL 54, N of Tampa

Cypress Creek was deep blackwater, making for some steep drop-offs along
the banks. Nevertheless, fish were captured relatively easily. Although
temperatures were in the low 70s most of the weekend, it wasn't even close
at that time, causing the collectors (18 strong, by then) to bundle up a
bit. Species observed/collected included

Least killifish (H. Formosa)
E. mosquitofish (G. holbrooki)
Golden topminnow (F. chrysotus)
Pygmy sunfish (Elassoma sp. aff. okefenokee) possibly a different species
Everglades pygmy sunfish (E. evergladei)
Banded pygmy sunfish (E. zonatum)
Dollar sunfish (L. marginatus)
Warmouth (L. gulosus)
Bluespotted sunfish (E. gloriosus)
Bluefin killifish (L. goodei) - lots of red in the unpaired fins

Sig Klein, who was not collecting, listened to his portable radio in a
fold-up chair near the stream. As the others returned to their vehicles, he
gave them the first sad news about the disappearance of the Space Shuttle
Columbia. More than a few floated up silent prayers for the crew.

Site #8: Turtle Lakes off of FL 54, N of Tampa

Allen Boatman led the way to this site, a pair of neighborhood lakes
connected by a narrow drainage ditch. Although it was private property, a
gentleman who lived there generously granted us access. His neighbors, many
doing chores in their yards, walked over to observe all these strange
visitors. They seemed quite interested in the cool little fishes being
collected, and warned of a particular weedy area at the shoreline that a
large gator was known to haunt. The gator remained hidden from view,
probably a good thing for all concerned, although a photo would have been
nice. Sig took advantage of a grassy area where he whacked a few golf
balls. Species observed/collected included

Flag fish (J. floridae)
Golden topminnow (F. chrysotus)
Least killifish (H. formosa)
E. mosquitofish (G. holbrooki)
Sailfin molly (P. latipinna)
Pygmy sunfish female (probably E. evergladei)
Warmouth (L. gulosus)

Site #9: Wilderness Park, Hillsborough River at FL 579, NE of Tampa

Wilderness Park was a wonderful nature area with boardwalk trails along and
over the blackwater, which formed wide marshes off a narrow, winding
waterway. Many plecos were found either dead or dying near the shore, along
with the live ones collected. Several visitors were heard to say, "Where
are the gators? There are always gators here." Once again, no gators were
seen.

The temperature rapidly improved allowing most of the group to shed layers
of extra clothing as the sun broke through and blue sky returned to view.
About half of the FL guys departed after that location, one that yielded at
least 21 species including

Pickerel, juvenile (Esox sp.)
Seminole killifish (Fundulus seminolis)
Marsh killifish (F. confluentus)
Golden topminnow (F. chrysotus)
Bluefin killifish (L. goodei)
Sailfin molly (P. latipinna)
Least killifish (H. formosa)
E. mosquitofish (G. holbrooki)
Taillight shiner (N. maculatus)
Coastal shiner (N. petersoni)
Ironcolor shiner (N. chalybaeus)
Shiner (sp. aff. N. crysoleucas)
Brook silverside (Labidesthes sicculus)
Okefenokee pygmy sunfish (E. okefenokee)
Warmouth (L. gulosus)
Bluegill (L. macrochirus)
Spotted sunfish (L. punctatus)
Swamp darter (E. fusiforme)
Bluespotted sunfish (E. gloriosus)
Dollar sunfish (L. marginatus)
Pleco (Hypostomus sp.)

Dustin and a number of others were interested in a couple of creeks that
flowed past tropical fish farms, reported to contain exotics. So, a
scaled-down caravan took off to find them.

Site #10: Little Bullfrog Creek at US 301/Fl 43, S of Tampa

It was a tiny little stream with noticeably warmer water and areas of
extremely treacherous footing. Downstream of the bridge the sandy bottom
approached quicksand conditions, plunging Mike and several others up to
their hips in a flash. After taking turns helping each other back to solid
ground, most of the group worked under and upstream of the bridge. Exotics
were indeed found there in a list that contained

Gizzard shad (Dorossoma cepedianum)
Brook silverside (L. sicculus)
Coastal shiner (N. petersoni)
Golden shiner (N. crysoleucas)
Bluegill (L. macrochirus)
Warmouth (L. gulosus)
Hogchoker (T. maculatus)
Weather loach (Misgurnus sp.)
Jewel cichlid (Hemichromis sp.)

Site #11: Bullfrog Creek at US 301/FL 43, S of Tampa

Less than a mile away, thick swamp conditions prevailed. The gang had to
park the vehicles at the entrance to a trailer park and walk down to the
bridge. Unless one chose to cut a trail (nobody did), that was the only way
down to the water. The stream was much wider and deeper than the last one.
Nothing about it was easy but the extra effort turned up new creatures not
previously seen on the trip. Species collected/observed included

Everglades pygmy sunfish (E. evergladei)
Least killifish (H. formosa)
E. mosquitofish (G. holbrooki)
Sailfin molly (P. latipinna)
Spotted sunfish (L. punctatus)
Chain pickerel (E. niger )
Bluespotted sunfish (E. gloriosus)
Warmouth (L. gulosus)
Bluefin killifish (L. goodei)
Golden topminnow (F. chrysotus)
1 siren sp.
1 turtle sp.
1 banded water snake

With sunset and hunger closing in, the party fragmented as everyone made a
dash back to the motel. Chip nearly got his new truck stuck in the soft
ground, but the extra cash he spent for the 4x4 apparently paid off for him!

Back at the motel, a few hearty souls in the group still wanted more and
stopped at the Hillsborough River less than a block away.

Site #12: Hillsborough River at FL 582, E. of Tampa

In just a few minutes work, the guys turned up one of the best catches of
the day including

Threadfin shad (Dorossoma petenense)
Bluefin killifish (L. goodei)
Seminole killifish (F. seminolis)
Coastal shiner (N. petersoni)
Brook silverside (L. sicculus)
E. mosquitofish (G. holbrooki)
Least killifish (H. formosa)
Tadpole madtom (N. gyrinus)
Golden topminnow (F. chrysotus)
Pirate perch (A. sayanus)
Bluegill (L. macrochirus)
Warmouth (L. gulosus)
Pleco (Hypostomus sp.)
Pacu (Colossoma sp.) - dead one

After a welcome round of showers, eight remaining fishheads accepted
Allen's kind invitation to visit his home. His foyer featured a superb
planted aquarium that could easily be the feature shot of a fish hobbyist
magazine. Pizzas and wings were ordered and consumed at a rapid pace as the
bunch settled in to watch Fritz's videos.

Fritz, working with NOAA, spent part of the past several summers off the
Atlantic Coast doing deep-water studies from submersibles. The video
footage they shot was excellent. His narration was also entertaining and
informative. Steven did get caught nodding off, but it was not a commentary
on the presentation.

After some plant and food swaps, the troops bid Allen goodnight, driving
back to the motel to get some badly needed sleep and prepare for the
continuation of the chase at Tampa Bay the following morning.

Site #13: Old Tampa Bay at FL 60, E side of bridge, W of Tampa

Sunday morning arrived with true vacation-like weather, blue skies and
bright sunshine. Charles and Harvey left for AL, intending to collect all
the way home. After wolfing down yet another motel breakfast, the remaining
stalwarts (Allen, Dan, David, Chip, Doug, Dustin, Fritz, & Steven)
assembled to watch the SC boys attempt to cram an unbelievable amount of
gear into Chip's overloaded truck. None of them could have imagined that
bungi-webs could stretch that far! Perhaps a trailer is in order. Bus?
Flatbed?

Following Allen through Tampa's freeway system, the group arrived beside
Tampa Bay where Sig & Ben Klein, as well as Rob (West Palm Beach, FL) once
again joined them. The tide was out, exposing a wide expanse of very
shallow water. Dan and Dustin made a beeline for the nearest water with
their seine, while the others opted for dipnets. The seagulls were very
pleased at each effort, swooping in to feed wherever the seine had rested.

Something about the sea air must have enhanced the already over-worked
collective humor of those sampling. Dan and Dustin had a brief mud 'n sea
matter fight. Rob modeled his new horseshoe crab hat, and Chip bombed
someone's dipnet with bright green mussel shells.

After an hour or so, the gang walked across the highway to sample a small
body of water on the other side. At first, nobody noticed the sign that
said, "NO FISHING - NO TRESSPASSING." Upon closer examination, the fine
print stated that the penalty was that offenders would be asked to leave.
Soon, they all left without being asked. Species observed/collected included

Sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus)
Goldspotted killifish (Floridichthys carpio)
Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis)
Rainwater killifish (Lucania parva)
Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)
Red drum (Scianeops occellata)
Pipefish (Sygnathus sp.)
Mojarra (Eucinostomus sp.)
Mullet (Mugil sp.)
Clown goby (Microgobius gulosus)
Goby (Gobiosoma sp. and/or Gobionellus sp.)
Puffer (Sphoeroides sp.)
Anchovy (Anchoa mitchelli)
Striped blenny (Chasmodes bosquianus)
Blenny (Hypsoblennius sp.)
Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta)
Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides)
Gulf flounder (Paralichthys albigutta)
Stone crab
Pistol shrimp

As they began to plot a course for the next location, Steven departed for
GA. Those who remained visited nearby Southern Apisto's, co-owned by Mike
Jacobs and Jim Cormier. Some purchased fish and enjoyed looking around the
place before hitting the road again. They also said goodbye to Allen at
that time.

Site #14: Tampa Bay at I-275, at the south fishing pier on the bay side, N
of Bradenton

Chip reported, "On the way to this site, while on I-275, just before
getting on the bridge, there was a sign that read, `LONG BRIDGE AHEAD.
CHECK GAS GAUGE.' Man, what were we getting ourselves into! After crossing
the bridge (and racing a ship!), we pulled off the road and into the
parking lot for the fishing pier and headed down to the shore. It was still
low tide and we saw many horseshoe crab shells. David and I tried
(unsuccessfully) to dig up a couple of tube anemones. This was a really
beautiful spot...I think you could have walked for miles in knee-deep water."

Species collected/observed included

Sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus)
Goldspotted killifish (Floridichthys carpio)
Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis)
Rainwater killifish (Lucania parva)
Red drum (Scianeops occellata)
Pipefish (Sygnathus sp.)
Mullet (Mugil sp.)
Clown goby (Microgobius gulosus)
Puffer (Sphoeroides sp.)
Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides)
Gulf flounder (Paralichthys albigutta)
Diamond killifish (Adinia xenica) - only juveniles
Longnose killifish (F. similis)
Silverside (Menidia menidia)