39 replies to this topic

[Thyroyalgeek]

Haha.

[Dustin]

You are always good to bring me back down a few notches Matt.  The high was short lived.

 

And don't worry, I drive around Marlboro County now so as not to stir up the locals...

[taldridge0321]

I know a trick that Dustin taught me, if you find Eastern Mudminnows around, Swampfish should be close by.

[gerald]

That's true i've always caught Mudminnows at sites yielding Swampfish, but NOT vice versa.  I've also noticed that Blackbanded sunfish occur only at sites with Lined killies (in NC), but not vice versa.

[taldridge0321]

That's true i've always caught Mudminnows at sites yielding Swampfish, but NOT vice versa.  I've also noticed that Blackbanded sunfish occur only at sites with Lined killies (in NC), but not vice versa.

I've found the same thing to be true where I've gone too Gerald. Bahama Swamp is a reliable place to get both Swampfish and Eastern Mudminnows,  if you are careful for Gators. Biggest Swampfish I've ever seen too, that was two December's ago, last time I went.

[mattknepley]

Thinking on it, that seems to be right,guys. Tim, just how far into Bahama Swamp were you? I found lots of mudminnows there (lots of other neat fish, too) but never a Swampfish. Then again, I never waded in as far as the couch!

[taldridge0321]

Thinking on it, that seems to be right,guys. Tim, just how far into Bahama Swamp were you? I found lots of mudminnows there (lots of other neat fish, too) but never a Swampfish. Then again, I never waded in as far as the couch!

Oh Casey and I didn't wade in deep at all. And right there near the bridge. The big Gator was too close for us the last time we were there. Got some really impressive Swampfish, the largest I've ever seen anywhere. They were dug in the vegetation right under the bank. We dug down a couple feet and brought a bunch up. If I get a chance I will look up the exact location on Google maps for you. Just moved to Waynesville, NC today, so have been kinda busy.

[Dustin]

Oh Casey and I didn't wade in deep at all. And right there near the bridge. The big Gator was too close for us the last time we were there. Got some really impressive Swampfish, the largest I've ever seen anywhere. They were dug in the vegetation right under the bank. We dug down a couple feet and brought a bunch up. If I get a chance I will look up the exact location on Google maps for you. Just moved to Waynesville, NC today, so have been kinda busy.

 

Tim, Matt knows the spot.  Swampfish are funny like pygmies kind of.  Sometimes, they will be abundant.  I took a guy from Virginia Tech who was doing cavefish work at the time and needed some swampfish out and we caught well over a hundred at a site.  I went back there 6 months later and didn't see a single one.  Same with Bahama Swamp.  I have seen them there in numbers and none at all other times.  Bahama Swamp also floods into the swamp forest around it.  In drought conditions like now they should be common.  In wet periods, they are spread out more so they are harder to find.

 

And, if you haven't been to the couch you haven't lived you wusses.  That's where the taillights are.  And the angry bowfin.  They hide under the gator like tiny remoras.

[taldridge0321]

 

Tim, Matt knows the spot.  Swampfish are funny like pygmies kind of.  Sometimes, they will be abundant.  I took a guy from Virginia Tech who was doing cavefish work at the time and needed some swampfish out and we caught well over a hundred at a site.  I went back there 6 months later and didn't see a single one.  Same with Bahama Swamp.  I have seen them there in numbers and none at all other times.  Bahama Swamp also floods into the swamp forest around it.  In drought conditions like now they should be common.  In wet periods, they are spread out more so they are harder to find.

 

And, if you haven't been to the couch you haven't lived you wusses.  That's where the taillights are.  And the angry bowfin.  They hide under the gator like tiny remoras.

I didn't know Tailights were present at Bahama Swamp. Still think the best chance to get one on hook would be May in Lake Waccamaw.

[Matt DeLaVega]

Bet they use the heck out of crayfish burrows during high water.

[Matt DeLaVega]

Does the geek want to collect them hook and line? That doesn't seem like an efficient way to stock a tank with them, although it it certainly seems like a worthy accomplishment for life lister's. Even bragging rights I would think.

[mattknepley]

"And, if you haven't been to the couch you haven't lived you wusses. That's where the taillights are. And the angry bowfin. They hide under the gator like tiny remoras."

Challenge accepted! Maybe... But come to think on it, the desire to continue living was exactly why I didn't stroll on out there!

[Matt DeLaVega]

I surmise this is a live and large resident gator?

[mattknepley]

Can't verify size of gator. Have not seen it. Have heard it doing it's grunting, etc. (Ain't no green frog or pig frog, either.) When I lived in FLA I had a couple revelations regarding the speed at which a large (~12') gator can move. Tain't scared, but am a looooong way from fearless. (OK, I'm a little scared...)

[Dustin]

The one we have seen in there over the years is 10-12 feet and monitors the area in the back behind the trestle.  He seems nice enough.  Answers to Charlie and gives kids free rides.

 

All kidding aside, I have only ventured into the abyss during the dead of winter where I was once promptly attacked by a sizable bowfin and nearly wet myself (or worse...).  There are indeed taillights back there so for the adventurous, but only sometimes.

[taldridge0321]

Does the geek want to collect them hook and line? That doesn't seem like an efficient way to stock a tank with them, although it it certainly seems like a worthy accomplishment for life lister's. Even bragging rights I would think.

Na Matt that's just me, I have only collected two Tailights with the dip net in Lake Waccamaw. Really want one on the hook. 

[gerald]

Bowfins attack in the dead of winter?  why?  Do they do this to other people or just Dustin?

[Dustin]

It was February and it was a very colored up male so I have to assume it was guarding fry.  We actually caught it and it was on display at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia for about 10 years afterwards.

[RiverkingQC]

I'm looking for a good netting spot for swampfish in Virginia, because I'm planning a trip there in August, does anyone have a specific spot for me? Thanks

[smbass]

I visited Bahama Swamp site one time in November a couple years ago and got a good variety of stuff but no Taillight Shiners or Swampfish. Didn't see a gator. I was relatively cautious though because I was there alone, didn't see this couch but water was up and in the surrounding forest. Maybe someday I'll return with help...