An Eleven Inch Flier........2/25/2018

Comment

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on March 1, 2018 at 5:15pm

Thanks Leo........these Fliers are the first sunfish to become active as the water begins to warm..........these guys will often share a nesting zone with Black Crappie............

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on March 1, 2018 at 5:14pm

Thanks Jim.....

Comment by Jim Gronaw on February 28, 2018 at 10:27pm

Huge! Congrats!

Comment by Leo Nguyen on February 28, 2018 at 12:24pm

The larger ones come out to play as the temp goes down?

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on February 26, 2018 at 6:04pm

I agree Slip........I did release this specimen although it's larger than a perfect work of art that Tim Overbaugh completed for me several years ago.........a masterful keepsake........I'm truly a "friend of the fliers" so I look out for them in an attempt to one day possibly threaten the North Carolina record.......Ms. Twia Gates established an incredible World Record mark a few years ago near Pensacola, Florida.......in fact she caught two on the same trip that surpassed the previous mark that had stood for many years.........

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on February 26, 2018 at 5:59pm

Thanks Jonathan........they are very abundant here in Northeast North Carolina and Southeast Virginia........it's quite possible in my region to catch a Flier every time you go fishing.......some locations they have really done well...........they seem to be a great locator of shrimp fry in the brackish waters........I've opened their inners to find what appears to be dozens of shrimp fry at one time......

Comment by Slip Sinker on February 26, 2018 at 5:48pm

…if it's a citation it's a trophy!... congrats nice looking specimen!

Comment by Jonathan Titshaw on February 26, 2018 at 5:38pm

Nice catch Jeff. Fliers in general are a rare bonus species at least in my opinion, and an 11” is a quality catch no doubt. Do you find them pretty common where you are?

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on February 26, 2018 at 4:47pm

Thanks Carl........most anglers don't get excited because so many smaller Fliers are caught.......they become aggressive early on and will often drag your bait around when they are unable to eat it...........

Comment by carl hendrix on February 26, 2018 at 11:52am

AN 11 INCH FLIER !  DEFINITLY A CITATION CATCH !  CONGRATS TO YA JEFF !