5 replies to this topic

[nviole]

This morning a went on a short fishing trip to a local creek that I have never explored before, Red Bank Creek in Red Bank, SC (Congaree River Basin). The creek was perfect for wading and I brought both conventional and micro fishing gear. 

 

With the conventional gear I was able to catch three beautiful species of sunfish, including my biggest ever dollar sunfish:

 

Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus)

 

Dollar Sunfish (Lepomis marginatus)

 

Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

 

 

With the micro gear, I was initially going to try to target Darters, but the water was a little too deep, current too fast, and too much cloud cover so I wasn't able to see any. However, I did come across a single pocket with a few small "minnows." I could only get one to take the hook before they quicky became hook-shy. I was thrilled to see a new species for me, the Lowland Shiner (Pteronotropis stonei)! I also managed a multitude of dollar sunfish and Eastern Mosquitofish from other spots along the creek. 

 

Lowland Shiner:

 

 

Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki):

 

[elting44]

Fantastic,

 

I went to a lake on Sunday, but there was still ice on 20% of the lake and the fish were not quite active.  I did manage to catch about a 7" sub-adult channel catfish.

 

We don't have rebreasts and dollars in my neck of the woods, so thank you for sharing. 

 

What kind of setup were you using for the micros?  Tenkara or Ultralight spinning or another setup?  

[mattknepley]

Nice! Those Lowlands sure are pretty, especially fresh out of the water and with the sun hitting 'em. Only been hook and lining a couple times this year, need to get out more. Haven't ever done much fishy-type stuff in the Congaree basin, thanks for posting. It's neat to see stuff close to home that is still "unexplored" to you, isn't it?

Tyler, I think that Channel Cat is a pretty nice catch given the conditions. I've fished on the ice, and traditional ice-free, not sure I ever felt like dealing with partly-icy conditions. My nephew (Wichita) and niece (greater Hope-Herrington metropolitan area) can surely sympathize with your cabin fever, but as I'd tell them; spring and summer equal bugs and nonstop allergies and waiting for football. For me, fall and winter ain't that bad...

[elting44]

Tyler, I think that Channel Cat is a pretty nice catch given the conditions. I've fished on the ice, and traditional ice-free, not sure I ever felt like dealing with partly-icy conditions. My nephew (Wichita) and niece (greater Hope-Herrington metropolitan area) can surely sympathize with your cabin fever, but as I'd tell them; spring and summer equal bugs and nonstop allergies and waiting for football. For me, fall and winter ain't that bad...

 

The fishing is what makes the bugs and the wait for football bearable!

[taldridge0321]

Nice work Nick, way to work a creek.

[nviole]

Thanks guys! I usually get an email when a new comment is added, so I apologize for not checking in to see if there were comments. 

 

Tyler, thank you for the kind words. It felt like it was going to take forever for things to warm up here, so I can only imagine your frustration. In cold weather any catch is an accomplishment. I was using a 10 ft tenkara rod with gamakatsu ultimate tanago hooks. 

 

Matt, thanks man! These are definitely my favorite shiner I have hooked to date. Definitely an awesome experience catching such a cool fish in a creek 10 minutes from my house that countless people drive over every day, but don't even realize is there! Let me know if you're ever up in the area of the Edisto watershed, would love to explore that one more. I would love to make it down near you and target Bartram's Bass.