Winter Time Fun With The Fliers........1/6/2019

Comment

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on January 13, 2019 at 4:24pm

Hey Vinnie thanks........the larger fish fight pretty good but not as strong as a similar sized gill if you will.......they do have the smallest range of any sunfish in North America and are native to the cypress swamps in the southeast.........they do very well in low oxygen environments which they are often faced with living in or near swamps........I've never caught them in ponds Vinnie but I'm certain they would do fine.........they are by far the most active sunfish during the winter in our region in which water temps normally dip into the lower 30s for at least a week or two.........they taste great.......I clean hundreds of the six to eight inch class fliers every year..............this species is an added bonus and provides us action in the winter when we have our toughest times locating fish...............

Comment by Vince (Vinnie) Fusco on January 13, 2019 at 12:40pm

Fliers are still on my bucket list. I bet they fight good with the large dorsal fin. Are they primarily a black water fish Jeffrey, or are they found on ponds as well? As you can tell, I know very little about them. Also, do they taste like a gill? It seems like they can tolerate cooler water temps. 

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on January 11, 2019 at 1:27pm

Thanks Dick.....I can take care of you friend! No worries.........

Comment by dick tabbert on January 10, 2019 at 10:46pm

Great looking fish Jeff hope you got one tied for me.

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on January 9, 2019 at 3:04pm

Thanks Slip........these fish are gravid and feeding heavy for an early Spring spawn which will likely be in March this year......

Comment by Slip Sinker on January 8, 2019 at 8:06pm

...excellent fish and photo!

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on January 7, 2019 at 4:36pm

This one was about to pop as the egg production continues in preparation for a March spawning........