Anyone Here Microfish?

[ArthurLK11]

So the most widely accepted definition of microfishing is targeting and catching fish that don't get more than 4 inches long as adults. I see a lot of people post pictures of bluegills and small bass and call that microfishing. I'm still pretty new to the hobby, but trying to get better at it. Anyone else on here microfish?

Anyway, during this trip I wasn't planning on exclusively microfishing, but sometimes you have to take what the water gives you. I headed over to the Elizabeth River in New Jersey for the first time to see what was actually in the river. I caught one tiny pumpkinseed sunfish to start the day which was a surprise. After that it was nothing but mummichug killifish for the next 3-4 hours. 

 

 

[TnRiver46]

Yes I enjoy microfishing small tributaries 

[ArthurLK11]

8 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Yes I enjoy microfishing small tributaries 

Awesome. I've been dabbling with it, but want to do it more. Just got some tenago hooks last week. I'm looking for a photo tank and having some trouble. Do you happen to use one of these and could recommend one?

[roadwarrior]

I would rather take a nap.

 

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

I call this catching bait.?

[TnRiver46]

1 minute ago, Hewhospeaksmuchbull said:

I call this catching bait.?

Works pretty well for that 

12 minutes ago, ArthurLK11 said:

Awesome. I've been dabbling with it, but want to do it more. Just got some tenago hooks last week. I'm looking for a photo tank and having some trouble. Do you happen to use one of these and could recommend one?

Not exactly sure what a photo tank is 

[ArthurLK11]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Works pretty well for that 

Not exactly sure what a photo tank is 

Basically a mini tank that you can use in the field to take pictures of fish without keeping them out of the water too long. Here's a picture of one. I looked on Amazon and my local pet shop, but haven't really found anything like it. Thought you mightve had one you would recommend. Thanks anyway. 

[TnRiver46]

54 minutes ago, ArthurLK11 said:

Basically a mini tank that you can use in the field to take pictures of fish without keeping them out of the water too long. Here's a picture of one. I looked on Amazon and my local pet shop, but haven't really found anything like it. Thought you mightve had one you would recommend. Thanks anyway. 

Ah ! I saw a guy use one of those on YouTube . That fish in the picture is the only native trout in my area, quite the resilient fish 

[RoLo]

 

I grew up in Hillside, NJ, but you're the first person I know who fished the Elizabeth River.    Kudos ?

 

When I lived Hillside, it was largely rural (Lyons Farm). Though trappers were numerous, no one fished the river. 

You're catching killifish, so I'm guessing you're fishing closer to the Turnpike (brackish water).

 

Roger

[DitchPanda]

I don't microfish...on purpose. I do catch fish the would qualify some times.

[ArthurLK11]

2 hours ago, RoLo said:

 

I grew up in Hillside, NJ, but you're the first person I know who fished the Elizabeth River.    Kudos ?

 

When I lived Hillside, it was largely rural (Lyons Farm). Though trappers were numerous, no one fished the river. 

You're catching killifish, so I'm guessing you're fishing closer to the Turnpike (brackish water).

 

Roger

I'd say this was all fresh. I actually entered the river from Kean University's campus. Went there for undergrad and even though I walked by the river everyday, this was my first time fishing it. I had a hard time researching the river as it seems no one fishes it like you said. Based on my experience I can see why. 

[Nelson Delaney]

I fish a 0 weight fly rod for wild brookies in Mass & Maine.  Usually fishing in tiny feeder streams you can step over.  Never heard the term “micro fishing” before tho. 

[RoLo]

50 minutes ago, ArthurLK11 said:

I'd say this was all fresh. I actually entered the river from Kean University's campus. Went there for undergrad and even though I walked by the river everyday, this was my first time fishing it. I had a hard time researching the river as it seems no one fishes it like you said. Based on my experience I can see why. 

 

The woods where I hunted & trapped was perched between Salem Rd and North Ave. 

That was before the Conant Estates and Kean's College (which then was Mrs. Kean's Estate).

The river wasn't fished because there used to be a Schering chemical plant that discharged into the river.

The woods behind what is now college campus, was chock-full of rabbits, pheasant, wood ducks ~ ~

 

Roger

[MN Fisher]

38 minutes ago, Nelson Delaney said:

Usually fishing in tiny feeder streams you can step over.

Sounds like the stream I grew up fishing for brookies in. Small stream running through Kirk's Woods in Greendale/Worcester that fed into Indian lake. Even as a 8-9 year old I could easily jump across it.

[Nelson Delaney]

18 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Sounds like the stream I grew up fishing for brookies in. Small stream running through Kirk's Woods in Greendale/Worcester that fed into Indian lake. Even as a 8-9 year old I could easily jump across it.

It’s the most satisfying fishing I do.  Long walks thru the woods to the source of cold water.  People think I’m crazy to be excited over a 3-4” fish

[mrpao]

Fishing is fishing. It's all fun.

No matter what you catch.

[Fallser]

I think the only time I microfish is whenI go up to my sister's place in VT and work the small creeks for finger size brook trout.  I mainly fly fish so I do catch some small fish, mainly minnows.  I seldom take pictures of small fish, but this one was worth it.  I caught it in a lake in central VT.  This is probably an average size adult fish.  

[WVU-SCPA]

On 8/14/2020 at 5:01 PM, ArthurLK11 said:

I'm looking for a photo tank and having some trouble. Do you happen to use one of these and could recommend one?

Look up breeder tanks in the aquarium world.  Will serve the same purpose.

[ArthurLK11]

2 hours ago, Fallser said:

I think the only time I microfish is whenI go up to my sister's place in VT and work the small creeks for finger size brook trout.  I mainly fly fish so I do catch some small fish, mainly minnows.  I seldom take pictures of small fish, but this one was worth it.  I caught it in a lake in central VT.  This is probably an average size adult fish.  

 

Fishing small creeks is probably my favorite kind of fishing. No big fish, but the environment and biodiversity is so diverse it is really fun and exciting. 

1 hour ago, WVU-SCPA said:

Look up breeder tanks in the aquarium world.  Will serve the same purpose.

 

Thank you. Will do. 

[bostonsox2904]

I really enjoy micro fishing. There are lots of interesting species around small blackwater creeks, swamps, and spring-fed streams in Florida. It's a perfect intersection of my interests in fishing, aquariums, and hiking.

 

 

[BASS302]

On 8/20/2020 at 8:45 AM, Fallser said:

I think the only time I microfish is whenI go up to my sister's place in VT and work the small creeks for finger size brook trout.  I mainly fly fish so I do catch some small fish, mainly minnows.  I seldom take pictures of small fish, but this one was worth it.  I caught it in a lake in central VT.  This is probably an average size adult fish.  

@Fallser, is that a grass pickerel?

[Fallser]

35 minutes ago, BASS302 said:

@Fallser, is that a grass pickerel?

Yep.  I had to google it to ID it.  Took a pheasant tail nymph I was trying to catch some rock bass with.  It's not something I catch everyday. Might not catch another one.

[ArthurLK11]

On 8/21/2020 at 3:39 PM, bostonsox2904 said:

I really enjoy micro fishing. There are lots of interesting species around small blackwater creeks, swamps, and spring-fed streams in Florida. It's a perfect intersection of my interests in fishing, aquariums, and hiking.

 

 

What part of Florida are you in? I'd like to catch more natives, especially micros, but in the Fort Lauderdale area where I live I just don't think those opportunities exist. If they do, I haven't found them yet. 

[bostonsox2904]

On 8/26/2020 at 11:37 AM, ArthurLK11 said:

What part of Florida are you in? I'd like to catch more natives, especially micros, but in the Fort Lauderdale area where I live I just don't think those opportunities exist. If they do, I haven't found them yet. 

I'm in central FL, but there is definitely great microfishing down south. I know the Tamiami Trail is a popular "spot". Retention ponds might be limited in species, so look for waters that are interconnected with the bigger system.

[Fallser]

I just found this picture tonight.  I caught it a couple of years ago in local quarry.