2023 Ten Most Wanted List

[FishnDave]

Nothing to see here.

 

[Harps]

Top 10 list for me with fly rod this year. I’ve caught some of these in the past, but not on a fly rod. A little ambitious….we’ll see…..

 

Wiper

Bowfin

Flathead

Chain Pickerel

Grass Pickerel

Musky

Tarpon

Snook

Pompano

Jack Crevalle

[FishnDave]

55 minutes ago, Harps said:

Top 10 list for me with fly rod this year. I’ve caught some of these in the past, but not on a fly rod. A little ambitious….we’ll see…..

 

Wiper

Bowfin

Flathead

Chain Pickerel

Grass Pickerel

Musky

Tarpon

Snook

Pompano

Jack Crevalle

I hope you reach all these goals!  I've caught all but 2 of those (tarpon and pompano)...but only 4 on fly.  I hope you can figure out those Flathead and share what you learn! 😍

[Ham]

I also have caught 8/10, but only 4 on fly. I’m so relived to have gotten a musky and to not have to ever worry about trying for another one.. 😆

[Johnsfolly]

3 hours ago, Ham said:

I also have caught 8/10, bug only 4 on fly. I’m so relived to have gotten a musky and to not have to ever worry about trying for another one.. 😆

I still would like one over 40 inches. My one and only musky was an inch shy. I lost one that was over 40 right at the boat. Hooked while doing a figure 8 with a bucktail.

[bfishn]

1 hour ago, Johnsfolly said:

I still would like one of 40 inches. My one and only musky was an inch shy. I lost one that was over 40 right at the boat. Hooked while doing a figure 8 with a bucktail.

I gotta ask... which did you personally enjoy more, losing that monster musky or cataloging a relatively rare, first-time micro? Just curious.

[Johnsfolly]

1 hour ago, bfishn said:

I gotta ask... which did you personally enjoy more, losing that monster musky or cataloging a relatively rare, first-time micro? Just curious.

I have a lot of lost fish that still haunt me☹️. I can still feel the hook on the bucktail just pop out off the lip of that musky. Heart was racing and didn't get another follow on that trip. 

Down in FL I has researched a spot that should of had redfin pickerel. That was a bucket list fish. The opposite end of the Esox species spectrum. They barely get longer than 10 inches. Sue did catch one. After that I was determined to catch one. Cast after cast and nothing. I finally made a cast beneath the branches of a tree upstream. I got a nice bite then lost it. Then another bite. The fish swam into a brush pile. I got it out and it jumped and threw the hook. I could see that it was a redfin😔. I tossed my rod to the ground in disgust. Of course my wife doesn't let me live that down.

Last year I chased after three of the four sculpin species in MD. I caught two species on the first trips for them. That third species haunted me. I fished three different creeks for a total of seven trips logging over 1000 miles. I lost several during those trips. The elation when I finally got that first one in my photo bag was incredible.

So the long answer is that I feel a similar joy and sorrow regardless of the target species. They all have a special memory.

[Ham]

10 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

I have a lot of lost fish that still haunt me☹️. I can still feel the hook on the bucktail just pop out off the lip of that musky. Heart was racing and didn't get another follow on that trip. 

Down in FL I has researched a spot that should of had redfin pickerel. That was a bucket list fish. The opposite end of the Esox species spectrum. They barely get longer than 10 inches. Sue did catch one. After that I was determined to catch one. Cast after cast and nothing. I finally made a cast beneath the branches of a tree upstream. I got a nice bite then lost it. Then another bite. The fish swam into a brush pile. I got it out and it jumped and threw the hook. I could see that it was a redfin😔. I tossed my rod to the ground in disgust. Of course my wife doesn't let me live that down.

Last year I chased after three of the four sculpin species in MD. I caught two species on the first trips for them. That third species haunted me. I fished three different creeks for a total of seven trips logging over 1000 miles. I lost several during those trips. The elation when I finally got that first one in my photo bag was incredible.

So the long answer is that I feel a similar joy and sorrow regardless of the target species. They all have a special memory.

I’m surprised that I didn’t get to hear about the Big mystery fish that straightened your hook in Texas or the sturgeon that you had the immaculate connection with, but I can feel your pain for sure. I’ve lost multiple big mystery fish and uncommon fish that I had hooked. I still haven’t caught a Silver Carp and I’ve hooked > 15.

I will wholeheartedly agree that finally catching the target that you have been chasing for years can be almost overwhelming. When I Finally got my Lifer Orange Spotted Sunfish, it really got my heart racing and my hands shaking. I was so completely Happy.

[Johnsfolly]

1 hour ago, Ham said:

I’m surprised that I didn’t get to hear about the Big mystery fish that straightened your hook in Texas or the sturgeon that you had the immaculate connection with, but I can feel your pain for sure.

I didn't want the post to be too long😉. When fishing, it does suck having a photographic memory at times. Of course don't ask me where I put the scissors or what my wife asked me to do this morning 😅!

[Ham]

Mooneye 

I was able to figure these guys out. Easy peasy once I figured them out.