So, without having to do extensive research, I was wondering what the best way to sample darters would be. I've caught a few Johnny Darters in a dipnet here and there, but I'm looking more at mountain streams with minimal water, making a dipnet more or less useless. As far as buying equipment goes, I tend to be very impulsive, so I just wanted some input before I put money into something.
Darter equipment
Started by
Guest_NCNativeFish_*
, Nov 14 2010 09:51 AM
24 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_Uland_*
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Posted 14 November 2010 - 10:33 AM
The best way? I'd say that's a matter of opinion and depends on the specific situation. From my standpoint, I'd say a seine is the best general sampling device but then again, I don't have permits for electrical equipment.
The width and depth you choose depends largely on if you have a partner, the size of water to intend to sample and don't forget state regulations might also limit you.
While I don't have mountains in Illinois, I've been lucky to have had the chance to sample in elevated areas in the south-east on a few occasions. A 6' wide X 4' deep seine served me well.
The width and depth you choose depends largely on if you have a partner, the size of water to intend to sample and don't forget state regulations might also limit you.
While I don't have mountains in Illinois, I've been lucky to have had the chance to sample in elevated areas in the south-east on a few occasions. A 6' wide X 4' deep seine served me well.
#3
Guest_PeterE_*
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Posted 14 November 2010 - 12:08 PM
I agree with Uland. If they are legal, the water is about knee deep, and isn't really fast, seines are the way to go. Electrical equipment will probably catch you more fish, but the difference in cost between the two is huge.
#4
Guest_jblaylock_*
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Posted 14 November 2010 - 02:33 PM
I like dipnetting if I'm by myself. Seining is good with multiple people. I haven't had any problems getting my net in good positions and I've sampled many mountain streams.
Position your net at the lower end of a riffle and kick up rocks upstream of your net and move toward the net, works good for me.
Position your net at the lower end of a riffle and kick up rocks upstream of your net and move toward the net, works good for me.
#7
Guest_schambers_*
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Posted 15 November 2010 - 02:33 PM
I'll try! To catch darters, I find a spot in some rocky riffles. Then I position the seine, sometimes I do it carefully and sometimes I just sort of flip the bottom away from me. Put the bottom of the seine in where the current is strongest, don't stretch it out tight, but leave some "bag" in it, the fish will go into the bag. The bigger the bag is, the less likely the fish are to swim back out. If it is legal and you are able to use a 4' x 6' or 4' x 8' seine, you may get more fish. I don't have the arm reach or strength to use a bigger one effectively.
After the seine is in place, I go upstream while holding the seine's brails, keeping in mind the brails should be leaning away from you. Then I start sweeping my feet back and forth across the rocks, kicking them around and stirring up sediment. Darters like to be in the rocks in the current, so this disturbs them and they go downstream into the seine. Kick your way toward the seine, and lift it up. Hopefully it's full of darters!
After the seine is in place, I go upstream while holding the seine's brails, keeping in mind the brails should be leaning away from you. Then I start sweeping my feet back and forth across the rocks, kicking them around and stirring up sediment. Darters like to be in the rocks in the current, so this disturbs them and they go downstream into the seine. Kick your way toward the seine, and lift it up. Hopefully it's full of darters!
#8
Guest_gerald_*
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Posted 15 November 2010 - 03:23 PM
Check the NC-WRC list of trout streams online. It's illegal to seine in designated trout waters, unless you have a scientific collecting permit. But there are many small mountain streams (some with trout) that are not designated trout streams.
#9
Guest_nativeplanter_*
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Posted 16 November 2010 - 01:03 PM
...I'm looking more at mountain streams with minimal water, making a dipnet more or less useless...
Don't give up on your dipnet just yet. If you are alone, it can be the best way even in small mountain streams. The key is for the net to have a flat side, and to put it down against the streambed, then kick the rocks above it so darters are flushed into the net.
I think this method has been described a couple times on the forum. If you search around you can probably find a better description than I just gave.
Good luck!
#10
Guest_DarkMousy_*
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Posted 17 November 2010 - 06:32 AM
Mountain streams with minimal water - how small are we talking here, like less than a foot wide or a few feet across, etc? For super tiny tributaries that are about a foot in width, I find those cheap wire framed aquarium dipnets work best simply because you can bend them to the shape of the streambed and to fit into crevices you otherwise wouldn't be able to cover.
#11
Guest_FishheadDave_*
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Posted 17 November 2010 - 09:34 AM
Mountain streams with minimal water - how small are we talking here, like less than a foot wide or a few feet across, etc? For super tiny tributaries that are about a foot in width, I find those cheap wire framed aquarium dipnets work best simply because you can bend them to the shape of the streambed and to fit into crevices you otherwise wouldn't be able to cover.
I've even used little aquarium dip nets for electrofishing those types of habitats. Under the right conditions, they are far more effective than a full-size dip net, and at around $3, whats not to like?
#12
Guest_NCNativeFish_*
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Posted 17 November 2010 - 03:47 PM
Mountain streams with minimal water - how small are we talking here, like less than a foot wide or a few feet across, etc? For super tiny tributaries that are about a foot in width, I find those cheap wire framed aquarium dipnets work best simply because you can bend them to the shape of the streambed and to fit into crevices you otherwise wouldn't be able to cover.
The places I'm looking at are riffles no more than 3 feet across (probably an average of 1-1 1/2 feet) and MAYBE 6" deep at its deepest with deeper pools in between.
#14
Guest_NCNativeFish_*
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Posted 17 November 2010 - 04:34 PM
Umm, what are you looking for because that's NOT where most of the cool diversity is...
unless you really, really, really like fantail darters.
I mean I'm just looking to see whats out there, but feel free to direct me.
#16
Guest_gerald_*
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Posted 18 November 2010 - 12:40 PM
Dave is right; Northwest NC doesn't have any darters that specialize in headwater springs like AL and some othet states do. Headwater creeks less than 10 ft wide often just have fantail and tesselated darters. Look for creeks about 20 ft or wider to find more species: greenfin, greenside, gilt, swannanoa, banded, kanawha, redline, seagreen, appalachia,... Although sometimes you can find these in tiny creeks close to where they join a bigger creek or river.
I mean I'm just looking to see whats out there, but feel free to direct me.
#17
Guest_itsme_*
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Posted 18 November 2010 - 06:13 PM
Shameless Self Promotion:
For a very small stream like that, my Perfect Dipnet works great. A seine can be difficult to use well in small water. Not that I haven't used them in the like. The Perfect Dipnet has a strong, half inch aluminum bow that protects the netting and is sturdy enough to be jammed into the substrate, preventing fishes from slipping underneath in shallow water. It's ideal for one-person use. Place the net on the stream bottom, back yourself upstream holding the handle with one hand. Then "kick", sliding your feet side-to-side, through the substrate down to where the net is positioned. Lift and sort your catch. Please dipnet responsibly
For a very small stream like that, my Perfect Dipnet works great. A seine can be difficult to use well in small water. Not that I haven't used them in the like. The Perfect Dipnet has a strong, half inch aluminum bow that protects the netting and is sturdy enough to be jammed into the substrate, preventing fishes from slipping underneath in shallow water. It's ideal for one-person use. Place the net on the stream bottom, back yourself upstream holding the handle with one hand. Then "kick", sliding your feet side-to-side, through the substrate down to where the net is positioned. Lift and sort your catch. Please dipnet responsibly
Edited by itsme, 18 November 2010 - 06:15 PM.
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