I posted a couple times already. I found this site while surfing around looking for microfishing info, since I'm trying to add some species to my life list and/or tanks that are 'hook and line' only possession in the states they are most common in.

I grew up with parents who were very into aquaria. We ran a shop in a tiny south Georgia town when walking catfish and piranha were still legal. I remember a guy coming through trying to sell my parents several walking cats just after they were put on the "illegal to posses" list in Georgia... it was pretty cool to see them wriggle around in the 'tub' he put them in....

Anyhow - I'm a kayaker, sometime photographer, casual birder and always interested in the natural world.

I live near the Flint River in Georgia, have relatively easy access to the Okeefenokee swamp and Florida spring-fed streams, plus the Gulf is a little over three hours away.

Will you be out around your local bluegill populations? I have an ongoing interest in them and would like to understand more about what makes them special.

Welcome! I'm sure Michael W. has already contacted you, but if not, he is our regional rep in Georgia and a great resource. I also assume you've made Ben C.'s acquaintance, along with some of our other microfishers. Great to have you aboard!

Yep. He has, and I've jumped in the forum a little.

Anyhow - I'm a kayaker, sometime photographer, casual birder and always interested in the natural world.

How about your skills at
snorkeling,
and
gator and snake protection?

The Flint is on my ToDo for March/April 2015
to do a snorkel /seine survey for
Pteronotropis welaka, Bluenose Shiner.

Mississippi is on my list too.

How about your skills at
snorkeling,
and
gator and snake protection?

We saw a gator in the flint and snorkeled the flint in the same day. We just stayed in the riffle and flow.

Nearctic, let me know when you want to do Mississippi - I'll try to arrange something.

Stick, I lived in Thomasville for about 5 years.

I was a certified diver, and actually like gators and snakes. Usually my presence keeps snakes away because they know I want them to experience alien abduction...

The Georgia records for 'gators were in the Flint - in Lake Blackshear, then in the headwaters -- until this past season, but other than losing a catfish or bass to some medium small ones, I haven't had anything other than reasonable/healthy interaction. i don't think they get fed intentionally around here -- they seem to have a healthy fear of people.

I have not snorkeled to any great amount in our part of the Flint; in the area we are visibility is pretty low. If you go north an hour or so to Sprewell Bluff, it's better, and if you go south of Albany, GA, it's clearer, probably because of the large magnitude springs that feed it. Every once in awhile, Lake Blackshear is clear enough, but I haven't tried it out in a really long time.

Any spring fed reaches in your area?

south of Albany, GA, it's clearer,

That is where I am thinking of going.

South of Albany on the Flint, and a couple of small springs on the Kinchafoonie that I know of. Probably some on the Muckalee, but I have only been on the Muckalee near bridges/roads, never paddled it any significant distance.

I am trying to stir up interest in the Bluegill from the Flint River drainage.  Anyone sampling there?  I need a dozen fry / fingerlings to rear up for photographs.  Permitting on this end is easy to deal with and I will provide justification if needed on the collection side.

I am trying to stir up interest in the Bluegill from the Flint River drainage.  Anyone sampling there?  I need a dozen fry / fingerlings to rear up for photographs.  Permitting on this end is easy to deal with and I will provide justification if needed on the collection side.

 

Why are the Bluegills there interesting?

 

Mark

Ohio

Hand paints.  Trying to get some without chewing up my travel budget.

 

Give them a look.  They are very distinctive in terms of looks and for me have some interesting behavior as well.

Hi, I am heading for a trip to Jonesboro, GA, Flint and Ocmulgee Basins I believe. I have researched a few locations to collect there but if you have any great spots please let me know since I will be in the area for a few days.

 

If you want to join me that would be great too, thanks.

 

Tim

Hand paints.  Trying to get some without chewing up my travel budget.

 

Give them a look.  They are very distinctive in terms of looks and for me have some interesting behavior as well.

 

I've seen photos.  Is it your understanding that they only have the dark blotches when breeding, or do they have unusual coloration also when not breeding?  Is it males only, or both sexes?

It is not a function of reproductive activity, rather fish size.  Most males have the blotches and some females develop blotches as well although not as much.

Hi, I am heading for a trip to Jonesboro, GA, Flint and Ocmulgee Basins I believe. I have researched a few locations to collect there but if you have any great spots please let me know since I will be in the area for a few days.

 

If you want to join me that would be great too, thanks.

 

Tim

Sites I found with what I consider to be proper Hand Pants where actually in Florida.  We did not pursue sites in Georgia because a past study had trouble differentiating those populations from other bluegill.   My experience with aquaculture suggest the upper populations where more people and managed water bodies are located have been contaminated with stocks from outside the basin,

It is not a function of reproductive activity, rather fish size.  Most males have the blotches and some females develop blotches as well although not as much.

 

Is there a way to differentiate juvenile Hand Paints from non-Hand Paint Bluegills?

I have raised pure of multiple types of Bluegill, including Hand Paints, side by side but did not look at them that close for differences.  That is part of interest in this.  When small they are most similar to Northern Bluegill.  Problem is distinguishing is you do not know who is introduced and weather hybrids involved.  For that reason I like to target remote areas (not near reservoirs) where large males have the blotches.