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Collecting in Florida


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#1 Guest_jblaylock_*

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Posted 11 July 2011 - 02:13 PM

I will possibly be vacationing in Destin Fl. in August. I took a trip to Destin back in May and noticed a that between I-65 and Destin I crossed several creeks/rivers. I believe this was in the Blackwater river drainage. Does anyone know any good locations near the Destin/Fort Walton area? I would like to get out for a few hours while I'm on vacation.

From the research I've done, it appears that 'bait' collection is legal. Bait fish being defined as any non-game fish under 8 inches. Any advice from seasoned collectors/florida residents would be great. I don't want to spend all day driving, so I would like to stay fairly close to the Destin area. Are there any fish that would go well with my stream tank (shiners/darters)? Thanks in advance for the help, and if anyone is local/close, I'd love to meet up for a few hours.

#2 Guest_Doug_Dame_*

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Posted 14 July 2011 - 11:29 PM

I will possibly be vacationing in Destin Fl. in August. I took a trip to Destin back in May and noticed a that between I-65 and Destin I crossed several creeks/rivers. I believe this was in the Blackwater river drainage. Does anyone know any good locations near the Destin/Fort Walton area? I would like to get out for a few hours while I'm on vacation.

From the research I've done, it appears that 'bait' collection is legal. Bait fish being defined as any non-game fish under 8 inches. Any advice from seasoned collectors/florida residents would be great. I don't want to spend all day driving, so I would like to stay fairly close to the Destin area. Are there any fish that would go well with my stream tank (shiners/darters)? Thanks in advance for the help, and if anyone is local/close, I'd love to meet up for a few hours.


I know some spots, I'll PM you.

The primo fish in the area for a shiner/darter fan are (IMO) Pteronotropis signipinnis and hypselopterus. The problem with Destin is that it's just south of Eglin Air Force Base, which is large and basically off limits for fish collecting. So you may have to go past it, or sideways.

That's part of the area that SKS (Suncoast Killifish Society, aka the defacto only NANFA chapter around) checks out almost every year on the "Spring Swing."

Other fish we usually target in the area are Leptolucania ommata (pygmy killie), and Fundulus cingulatus and escambiae. Compared to your home area, the darter diversity is mediocre, and pretty bland. P. negrofasciatus (black-banded) is pretty common, in moving water. Possibly could find some Eth. chlorosoum (coastal) and swaini (gulf).

Edited by Doug_Dame, 14 July 2011 - 11:44 PM.


#3 Guest_EricaWieser_*

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Posted 15 July 2011 - 12:41 PM

Compared to your home area, the darter diversity is mediocre, and pretty bland.

The darter diversity may be bland, but that region and thereabouts are the only places you can find my favorite species of native fish, Elassoma gilberti and Elassoma okefenokee.
They're beautiful fish. Picture:

Elassoma Gilberti male in breeding colors resize.jpg
http://gallery.nanfa...resize.jpg.html

#4 Guest_Doug_Dame_*

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Posted 17 July 2011 - 11:40 AM

The darter diversity may be bland, but that region and thereabouts are the only places you can find my favorite species of native fish, Elassoma gilberti and Elassoma okefenokee.
They're beautiful fish. Picture:

Very true. And well worth seeking out just to see ... as Erica's (7x real!!!) size photo illustrates so well ... even if Josh's expressed interest was "fish that would go well with my stream tank (shiners/darters)."

El. gilberti is such a recently described species that I only know of a couple of "for sure" locations, none of which are near Destin where Josh is going to be. But from the range map in the new Petersons, it appears that any historic okefenokee from anywhere in the Florida panhandle now should be re-categorized as gilberti, so they should be pretty easy to find.

#5 Guest_EricaWieser_*

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Posted 17 July 2011 - 01:47 PM

El. gilberti is such a recently described species that I only know of a couple of "for sure" locations, none of which are near Destin where Josh is going to be. But from the range map in the new Petersons, it appears that any historic okefenokee from anywhere in the Florida panhandle now should be re-categorized as gilberti, so they should be pretty easy to find.

page 131 (13 of 28) of this pdf: http://biology.unm.e...et al. 2009.pdf

Edited by EricaWieser, 17 July 2011 - 01:48 PM.


#6 Guest_jblaylock_*

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Posted 21 July 2011 - 08:24 AM

I was SUPER excited about the Flagfin/Sailfin...but it appears we have now decided to go to Cape Cod MA.....I'm not excited about collecting in that area, and may not take my gear.

#7 Guest_fundulus_*

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Posted 21 July 2011 - 08:52 AM

You can find banded killifish on the Cape in the freshwater ponds behind many of the beaches. And definitely check out the fishing for blues and stripers.

#8 Guest_Doug_Dame_*

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Posted 21 July 2011 - 07:02 PM

I was SUPER excited about the Flagfin/Sailfin...but it appears we have now decided to go to Cape Cod MA.....I'm not excited about collecting in that area, and may not take my gear.

I also have relatives who think that it possible .... even desireable .... to plan family vacations with little or no regard for the fish viewing and collecting opportunities near the vacation destination.

SHOCKING !!!!

But there it is.

Maybe you can sneak down for a 3 or 4 day jet-speed trip in the fall.



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