The Push for 100 Species in 2021

[FishnDave]

2 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

I have big plans for briny fish. May be behind now but we'll see how things look come June😉

Behind? Shoot, you're still ahead of me, and I won't even be able to see your taillights by the end of the year!  

[Johnsfolly]

7 minutes ago, FishnDave said:

Behind? Shoot, you're still ahead of me, and I won't even be able to see your taillights by the end of the year!  

Referring to the colorful ones. Most of my fish are bland in comparison to those koi. 

[FishnDave]

42 minutes ago, Johnsfolly said:

Referring to the colorful ones. Most of my fish are bland in comparison to those koi. 

Yeah, I totally understand that, not much can compare...its what they were bred for I suppose.  Longears and Pumpkinseeds and Orangespots are colorful!  Spawning Redbreast.  There's some wrasse species that are full-on gorgeous.  Peacock Bass...Yellow Perch.  I've seen pictures of some pretty colorful snakeheads.

The trick is seeing how beautiful other fish are...like gar,  gizzard shad, buffalo, and bullheads.  Its more subtle...but its there.  🧐

[BilletHead]

3 hours ago, Ham said:

 

This is the last year I will set 100 Species as a Goal. 

   Seriously doubt that. Go for 101 next year! It's in your wheelhouse. Grind those gears. 

[Johnsfolly]

12 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

   Seriously doubt that. Go for 101 next year! It's in your wheelhouse. Grind those gears. 

I understand what @Ham is saying. It can become  such a grind to try and figure out what fish to go for and where to go to get it. Then you invest hours of driving, gas, and money, to get to a location and not catch that new fish. That was a big reason for me not to pursue a total species goal last year after hitting 82 species the year before. I just focused upon a few new lifer targets. I didn't have to think about what new fish could I catch right after Christmas because I still needed a couple more species to hit my goal. If I wasn't planning these Florida trips I would not be going for 100(+) species for this year.

Also you can just miss out on the fun of slamming a bunch of stupid fish on any given trip. 

[FishnDave]

@ Ham won't have to have that goal again....cuz he will reach it this year. 👍

He has already caught more species in 2.5 months this year than I did in my best year (last year, 33 species on fly).    What a great start!  More than 1/3 of the way to 100!  His dedication to the goal is seriously impressive.  Investments in time, gas, lodging, food, etc....is significant.

I've currently got 29 species in Missouri since moving here in mid-July.  Hopefully I can add some more species this year.  Amongst species I haven't caught are Stonerollers, Longnose Gar, Bowfin, Fliers, Redspotted Sunfish or Blue Cats (ever).  And haven't caught any Hybrid Striped Bass, Brown Trout, Rock Bass, or Warmouth in MO yet.  So....I've got those to look forward to. 😀

[Johnsfolly]

On 3/12/2021 at 10:09 AM, FishnDave said:

Yeah, I totally understand that, not much can compare...its what they were bred for I suppose.  Longears and Pumpkinseeds and Orangespots are colorful!  Spawning Redbreast.  There's some wrasse species that are full-on gorgeous.  Peacock Bass...Yellow Perch.  I've seen pictures of some pretty colorful snakeheads.

The trick is seeing how beautiful other fish are...like gar,  gizzard shad, buffalo, and bullheads.  Its more subtle...but its there.  🧐

I love them all even this guy 

 

[FishnDave]

1 hour ago, Johnsfolly said:

I love them all even this guy 

Check out the HORNS on that fella!  Looks like a finned version of:

[Johnsfolly]

1 minute ago, FishnDave said:

Check out the HORNS on that fella!  Looks like a finned version of:

They don't squirt blood from its eyes. However when I caught my first toadfish, I found out that they have teeth as well .

[FishnDave]

More of the Goldfish:

More of the Koi:

The one below was really dark....just looked black in the water.