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NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
Thu May 10, 2018, 02:28 PM May 2018

The Swamp Has Been Drained.

What's at the bottom isn't very pretty.

As a Floridian I have seen a number of small sections of swamp that have been drained, either naturally or purposefully. In Gainsville I had the opportunity to see square miles worth of one swamp emptied of water. What's at the bottom is pretty nasty. The Bowfin often stay alive for some time until the larger birds pick them off.

Not much thought in this one. Just hate the phrase and how it works on simpletons.

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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The Swamp Has Been Drained. (Original Post) NCTraveler May 2018 OP
Gainesville's my home town so I have to ask Phoenix61 May 2018 #1
In '07 NCTraveler May 2018 #4
I remember when they would draw down Phoenix61 May 2018 #9
well the "p" is certainly gone unblock May 2018 #2
I found it in the mud. NCTraveler May 2018 #5
I love bowfin. I used to catch one every now and then, while fishing MineralMan May 2018 #3
Bowfin down south are a little different than the ones up north. NCTraveler May 2018 #6
They're all prehistoric looking, for sure. MineralMan May 2018 #7
No doubt. NCTraveler May 2018 #8
 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
4. In '07
Thu May 10, 2018, 02:39 PM
May 2018

A sinkhole opened near the south end of Paines Prarie. It was right near the end of a long dry spell so the surrounding areas were already almost depleted of water. When I went to college there I would fish off the side of 441 to ease my mind. Caught a lot of nice bass. At one point in ‘07 water couldn’t be seen from 441.

Then the downpours came. It was special getting to watch it come back to life.

One of the other areas I saw a swamp drain was in Okeechobee.

MineralMan

(146,189 posts)
3. I love bowfin. I used to catch one every now and then, while fishing
Thu May 10, 2018, 02:36 PM
May 2018

for bass and pike. Always an adventure. Most anglers don't like catching them, but I think they're fun to study once you get them in the boat. Since I release everything, I have no idea whether they're good eating or not.

My other favorite ancient species is the sturgeon. I've caught half a dozen of those as well. They're also fascinating.

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
6. Bowfin down south are a little different than the ones up north.
Thu May 10, 2018, 02:42 PM
May 2018

Northern Bowfin have a slight resemblance to a pike. Southern Bowfin are pretty gross. I did still have fun catching them between bass bites.

MineralMan

(146,189 posts)
7. They're all prehistoric looking, for sure.
Thu May 10, 2018, 02:45 PM
May 2018

They don't like being caught, either. I typically hooked up with them fishing near shore in the weeds. Getting the things unhooked for release is interesting, to say the least. Back in California, I used to catch wolf eels from time to time while shorefishing on the coast. Now, that's a butt-ugly fish, and can get three or four feet long.

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
8. No doubt.
Thu May 10, 2018, 02:49 PM
May 2018

Some of the Sturgeon I have seen on the Suwanee River make me nervous. All is good until you see one come a couple of feet out of the water while you are at full speed in the boat.

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