Florida Christmas 2015

[MuskieBait]

Well, another year, another Christmas spent in Florida.

I had not plan for this trip. Elijah emailed me in the fall to inform me he was going to Florida for Christmas and he need fishing info. Soon, I jumped on when Michael could take time off work to join me. George was snowbirding in Florida so he planned to join us for a few days in the Keys, and we roped in my friend Bartek as well for his first real Florida fishing experience.

I had high hopes to add a number of new species, but both weather and our group wish had me scratched out a number of new species opportunities. Still, I managed to catch 8 new species from Florida. It was no small feat since I had already caught 103 new species previous from Florida, plus another 50+ saltwater species from the Western Atlantic Ocean from different states and countries.

Although the new species additions were low by my standard, the quality made up for it. The species I managed to add were very, very cool!

Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri) - Species #477



Spotted Trunkfish (Lactophrys bicaudalis) - Species #478



Grey Angelfish (Pomacanthus arcuatus) - Species #479!!!



Hardhead Silverside (Atherinomorus stipes) - Species #480



Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) - Species #481!



Ocean Surgeonfish (Acanthurus bahianus) - Species #482



Irish Mojarra (Diapterus auratus) - Species #483



Atlantic Stingray (Dasyatis sabina) - Species #484



I also caught a personal best Red Grouper. It was most likely an inch longer than the legal keeper minimum length of 20", but we didn't have a ruler on board and we didn't want to risk keeping a barely legal fish, so we sent it back to the reef.



Aside for the new species, I caught another 40+ species. I only photograph a fish if I needed better pictures for my life list, or if I happened to catch something rare or cool. The usual Grunts, Jacks, Snappers and such are not that cool anymore. Here are some addition "cool" species that were on my camera.

Sheepshead



Puddingwife Wrasse



Blue Parrotfish



Graysby



Sand Perch



Grass Porgy



Blackear Wrasse



Grey Triggerfish



Oyster Toadfish



Overall, it was a great trip to Florida that I got to spend with great friends and family. Elijah and I are already talking about Florida Christmas 2016! :lol:

And for your reading pleasure...

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/...day-1.html

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/...day-2.html

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/...day-3.html

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/...day-4.html

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/...day-5.html

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/...day-6.html

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/...day-8.html

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/...day-9.html

[Eli]

Looks like another great lifer trip for ya!
Happy new year and hopefully we'll cross paths in 2016.

[MuskieBait]

Thanks Eli! I also hope we'll cross path in 2016. Still looking for the River Redhorse!!!

[OldTimer]

Hey MB - another awesome trip for you! (in spite of the weather)

Congratulations on the lifer Pompano(s). They are my favorite fish to eat. They are fantastic BBQ grilled too! I find the firm texture and sweetness is unlike most other fish.

Very nice Lookdown as well. You don't see many of those.

But for colours I still find the Stop Light Parrotfish the most striking.

Thanks again for sharing your adventures.

Cheers,

OldTimer

[Fossil Fish]

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one. Sounds like a great trip. Still blown away by the colors of the wrasses.

[MuskieBait]

(01-04-2016 02:40 PM)OldTimer Wrote:  Hey MB - another awesome trip for you! (in spite of the weather)

Congratulations on the lifer Pompano(s). They are my favorite fish to eat. They are fantastic BBQ grilled too! I find the firm texture and sweetness is unlike most other fish.

Very nice Lookdown as well. You don't see many of those.

But for colours I still find the Stop Light Parrotfish the most striking.

Thanks again for sharing your adventures.

Cheers,

OldTimer

OT, I think you read the wrong series of reports. The Pompano, Lookdown and Stoplight Parrotfish were caught in April.

I did not land a single Pompano, Lookdown or Stoplight Parrotfish on this trip.

[OldTimer]

(01-04-2016 10:51 PM)MuskieBait Wrote:  

(01-04-2016 02:40 PM)OldTimer Wrote:  Hey MB - another awesome trip for you! (in spite of the weather)

Congratulations on the lifer Pompano(s). They are my favorite fish to eat. They are fantastic BBQ grilled too! I find the firm texture and sweetness is unlike most other fish.

Very nice Lookdown as well. You don't see many of those.

But for colours I still find the Stop Light Parrotfish the most striking.

Thanks again for sharing your adventures.

Cheers,

OldTimer

OT, I think you read the wrong series of reports. The Pompano, Lookdown and Stoplight Parrotfish were caught in April.

I did not land a single Pompano, Lookdown or Stoplight Parrotfish on this trip.

That's too bad......... maybe you'll get some next time....... smile

[MuskieBait]

(01-05-2016 07:34 AM)OldTimer Wrote:  That's too bad......... maybe you'll get some next time....... smile

As much as they were fun and tasty (I've eaten Lookdown before...and other Parrotfish species), I hope I'll find other new species next time.

I would hate to be chasing a Striped Parrotfish when a Stoplight Parrotfish pushed in a steal the bait from the Striped fella...

Or if I was trying to sabiki for Atlantic Moonfish and can only catch Atlantic Lookdown...

Or the Florida Pompano just can't keep off my sand flea when I'm trying to catch a Palometa...

Many people don't understand this mentality...but let me put it this way...

If you're trying to catch a 4lb or larger bass, and that is your target to achieve, and all you can catch are 1-2lb bass...you would get a little grumpy too.

Fishing is fun always...but when there is a goal that you wish to achieve...things that get in your way can become annoying...