by You never know what you may catch when fishing a live shrimp over rough bottom in the Everglades. During the recent trip Crazy Alberto Knie and I made there with Paul Castelli on his 15-foot duck boat, we were seeking sheepshead and spotted seatrout, but also hooked a puffer, a tiny gag grouper, a small sea robin, a “whiting” (actually a gulf kingfish), and a fish we couldn’t identify.
With bold black stripes on its side and neon blue scribblings on the head, I figured this photo by Paul would be easy to find in the many tropical species books I have in my library — but so far there’s been no match. Any ideas?
The forecast for Friday starts at just 5-10 knots northwest before increasing to north at 10-15 plus gusts to 20 in the afternoon. Unfortunately, Saturday isn’t looking good with north winds of 15-20 knots along with gusts to 25.
The Ocean Explorer from Belmar will continue to try getting out to fish for tautog in 130-180-foot depths as shallower waters have been unproductive.
Tight Lines 
Salt water Perch
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Hi Al, hope all is well with you. We are doing our fishing up in the Crystal River area for the winter. I am just guessing, but my thought is that the fish might be a pigfish, or wrasse. I used to catch some when we were on Pine Island. Enjoy your fishing. Hutch Sr.
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Hi Al
Tim Doolan here.
Not really sure, but it looks like va Sand Perch to me.
Hope you and your family are doing well.
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I know them as sand perch. They’re very common in Venice inlet. If you cast into the middle with a bottom rig, you’re almost sure to get one.
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A hybrid?
A French Grunt crossed with who knows what?
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A French Grunt crossed with who knows what?
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I caused one of these off the rocks in Key West a few years ago. A guy told me it was some kind of Wrass. The one I caught was pretty small-that one looks bigger and the iridescent parts were also along the sides so I’m not certain if that’s the same type of fish. I enjoy reading your posts since I’ve retired and moved from Jersey to Virginia. Met you once or twice at the Edison shows during your fishing seminars. Glad you’re still at it Al!
Sent from my iPhone
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