Have you seen a shiner like this?

[Johnsfolly]

I got into microfishing a couple of years ago just because I found a spot close to my home that has darters. So I figured out how to catch them. It was a blast and since I like to "collect" I got into trying to catch a variety of species every time I go out fishing. To help with this addiction is the Fishes of Missouri guide book. I have read that book back and forth. During those reading I would look for species that are distinctly colored or have obvious features to make identification easier. Based upon that I work out a wish list and begin researching areas that I can target certain species. The Sunday before Father's day was one of those days that I wanted to really go and try for a new species, but because I was getting ready to travel for business wanted to stay close to home (typically means within 90 minutes of the house).. So I was reading about the Plains killifish. This is a species that tolerates high alkalinity (very hard water) and even saline water and one of the spots that they are located in MO is Boone's Lick salt spring and Salt creek. Figuring that this would be a relatively easy trip, packed my gear and headed to the historic site. I was somewhat disappointed that there was no water flowing from the spring, but with the dry conditions before then it was too surprising. The salt creek is a really small creek and the fish were really skittish. Lots of the small fish (<1" in length) looked like killifish, but would be too small for even my #26 hooks. I found some larger and even more skittish minnows in the pools that held some deeper water. I caught several nondescript minnows like these. Any thoughts on what they might be would be appreciated. I did hook one deeply and it's in alcohol waiting for me to id it.

It was fun catching these guys, but I just never saw a larger plains killifish in any of the short section of the creek on public land. I did see a few little fish that were reminiscent of a small sunfish. I have wanted to catch an orange spotted sunfish and these might be them. I cast towards a couple and got a great shock when I reeled in (yes sometimes you do reel in minnows). this red shiner. This has been a species that I have chased after in my local streams and now I have a male in his breeding colors. Except for the possible turtle bite on his tail, he was a great looking fish! It's catches like this one that keep me wading sloughs, drainage ditches and creeks all over the state (and now in other states as well). So have you ever seen a shiner like this one? If not go look in your local creeks!

[MoCarp]

it can be interesting micro fishing... larger ripple habitats are really good places to do that, Ozark streams have diverse minnow species "well the heathy ones do"

[moguy1973]

Johnsfolly, have you ever fished Labarque Creek off the Meramec?  It supposedly supports 36 species of which are 5 native darters.

[Johnsfolly]

I have not, but am now intrigued. I will have to look it up and find access points. To micro fish for darters effectively I need clear water. Hopefully I can get in a good spot and catch a new fish or two.

[fishinwrench]

What size hooks are y'all using to catch them minners ?

[MoCarp]

I used fly hooks 12-18, but its what I had...on 1x test tippet, for bait good old chewed up white bread, my brother and I got into it as kids catching bait when we lived on Shoal Creak crush up some crackers chum them up, as we caught shiners for the bait bucket we would catch something weird, toss it back....then we would try to catch those odd ball fish, even get an ID book to figure out what we caught, we tried different baits, homemade dough bait peanut butter and flour, worked better than bread for chubs prob because in sank deeper IDK sometimes a stray rainbow would show up, a few hang out in Shoal Creek down stream from Grand Falls, there are Topeka shiners about... if you catch one report it..not many of those around anymore

 

[Johnsfolly]

7 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

What size hooks are y'all using to catch them minners ?

Wrench

I use 12, 14, 20, and 26 size hooks. The #20 are long shank fly hooks that I get from BPS. The #26 are a half moon style that have a slight curve to them. I buy them from Tenkarabum.

[moguy1973]

10 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

I have not, but am now intrigued. I will have to look it up and find access points. To micro fish for darters effectively I need clear water. Hopefully I can get in a good spot and catch a new fish or two.

Labarque runs through Young and Labarque Creek Conservation areas.  Lots of access.  Has really clear water when it's settled down also.

[Gavin]

The TMC 518 is available in size 32...bigger than the old gold plated Mustad 32's though.

 

[Krazo]

16 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

Wrench

I use 12, 14, 20, and 26 size hooks. The #20 are long shank fly hooks that I get from BPS. The #26 are a half moon style that have a slight curve to them. I buy them from Tenkarabum.

what do you use for bait on those hooks?  any weight?  you fish with a tenkara rod?  what size line?  im intrigued with the micro fishing & tackle/setup.