prickly sculpin and tule perch

[BenCantrell]

I haven't been able to kayak the past month because of a wrist issue. It's been a while since I caught a new species, so I did a mini road trip up to Big Bear and Lake Gregory to catch some easy ones. Added prickly sculpin and tule perch to my lifelist.

Prickly sculpin (+1) and green sunfish from Big Bear.







Tule perch (+1) from Gregory.





And then a bonus LMB from the Santa Ana River. Was hoping to see some arroyo chubs since I haven't caught any in a few years, but all I saw were bass.





Since I'm already writing this post, last weekend I checked out a ditch off the Sweetwater River because I heard there were sailfin mollies living down there. Sure enough I saw loads of them, but I couldn't get one to bite. I took some underwater photos so at least I have proof they're there.



Bycatch were California killifish, topsmelt, and chameleon goby. There were tons of round rays too, but I avoided them.

[skrilla]

The fact that someone who has intel on sailfin mollies even exists blows my mind.

[Latimeria]

Damn Ben!  I can't believe all of the small exotic fish are making me jealous right now!

That Chameleon Goby is bad ass and I'm right with Len.  I heard of the Sailfin Mollies being around, but that is so cool that you got pictures of them!  Bravo sir!

[Latimeria]

Oh, and the Tule perch!  If I get my shoulder surgically fixed, I'll have to resort to some light line species hunting I guess.

[vdisney]

As always............great pictures.  I hope your wrist gets better soon, missing your kayak reports.

[jrodda]

That tule perch looks sick, as does the chameleon goby. Nice job on the new species. You're giving me ideas for some day trips.

Whoa whoa whoa, I read your blog. Tule perch are a freshwater surfperch? That's a weird way to say it, but I was tripping on how different individuals have similar shape to calico surfperch or kelp perch.