Cichlacat Steve Loc: FL, MO, IL

Hello,
I’ve been a fisherman for many years. I live in MIssouri but often fish on both sides of the Mississippi for giant cats. I also fish in Florida around the panhandle and Tampa Bay. I enjoy fishing at the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. I’ve also caught many a stripped bass and blue channel catfish plus many other species below Kentucky and Barclay Dams. As a boy/teen I helped my father install many a trot line on Kentucky Lake and jug fished too.

Besides fishing I’ve also been an avid aquarist specializing in cichlids and catfish from around the world plus many other species. I guess I have over 600 gallons of water and fish in my aquariums and a large koi pond. I have worked in the tropical fish industry for several years and belong to the American Cichlid Asdociation too.

I’m looking forward to a fishing trip to the Amazon Basin where I hope to catch some red tailed catfish, many types of cichlids, and anything else that’s biting that day. I’m planning on bringing some live specimens home for my aquariums as well.

I now practice catch and release only with hook barbs flattened and no treble hooks. But I have no problem with anyone harvesting what they catch. I did that for years too. Fresh fish taste delicious.

I’m also a teacher. Our school district takes all the 5th graders for a week of camping which includes fishing. Bet you can’t guess who was in charge of the fishing activities? Usually I’ll have 30 or more excited kids that couldn’t wait to fish, but couldn’t stand to touch a worm. It’s very funny to see kids wearing plastic gloves trying to put a worm on their hook. Many times I just watched and laughed as the worm inched across the ground while the kid asked them nicely to be still.

And for those who thought a grandkid or two was tough, try 3 hours with 30 10 year olds fishing for the first time with Zebco 202s. Then a half hour lunch and the next 30 arrive ready to fish. I finally convinced the school to buy cane poles. This proved much easier and the kids caught more fish.

Besides SAFTEY one of my first rules is, “I’ll put the worm on the hook once for you. Then you have to put the worm on the next time”. Lots of squealing by the boys and girls. Lots of times the girls caught on before the boys did. Once someone caught the first sunfish or bluegill most disposed of their gloves and threaded their worms on. To protect the kids and the fish I always flattened the hook barbs! One kid caught a 5 pound bass on a cane pole with a barbless bluegill hook.

My father (who just passed at 93) was my fishing instructor and best friend. I learned many tricks from him and we had so many fun adventures. He was my lifetime fishing buddy for sure. His last real trip was at 92. But one day before passing away dad was convinced we were out fishing. I just acted like we were on the Mississippi again and we caught a bed full of carp, catfish, drum, bass, and bluegill. I’m sure he’s out fishing now.

I hope you enjoyed reading my introduction. LOL. I have many stories to share.

I’ve enjoyed reading the many stories and adventures written here for several years. I’m always ready to learn something new about our sport and fish of course too. I’ll be glad to help with any questions others may have.

I’m also looking for a fishing partner in St. Louis, MIssouri area.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Welcome CS,
I had the pleasure of teaching fishing to over 300 kids (twice) during my kid’s 6th grade camping trips. I would have given just about anything to have the Zebco 202s to use as the crap the camp had to use was embarrassing at best. We made the best of it and quite a few of them caught fish.
Feel free to share some tips, tricks and tips of your own and enjoy your time here!

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

Welcome to the Stage CS, Very informing introduction something I'm afraid many of the new folks miss. I can't imagine the 30 ten year olds and commend you on you patience and dedication to get the kids taught about fishing.
I used to raise Cichlids myself, they can be a very interesting breed of fish to watch. Had a pair of breeding Kribensis
for over 5 years then their spawn bred for over 10 more. Cichlids are a very interesting and beautiful fish to raise. If you get time post a few Pictures of your Chiclids I'm sure everyone including myself would like to see them.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Sounds like the origami my club runs every August. We outfit anywhere up to 150 kids with surf rids, rigs and bait, then turn them lose on about a mile of beach. They have a regular tournament with club members as judges . Everyone registered gets a lottery ticket and lunch. Then we give out prizes by category, then start drawing numbers for the grab bag orizes. I've been into this for about 10 years and I wouldn't trade that day fir a PB striper.

Cichlacat Steve Loc: FL, MO, IL

Yes. Cichlids are very cool. I’ve spawned a bunch over the years. But not Kribensis. My water chemistry is wrong for them and proved difficult to even keep alive without heroic water chemistry adjustments. So I usually keep Central Americans and African Tift Lahr species.

Cichlacat Steve Loc: FL, MO, IL

That sounds like fun. Nothing better then fishing from a beach. Probably lots of tangles. How old were the kids ? High school age?

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Awesome intro!! You will fit right in here!! I too would love to see pictures of the fish you have at home. Thanks for sharing!
Tight lines
J

Cichlacat Steve Loc: FL, MO, IL

Sure. I’ve several things planned about fish species in general, fishing with kids, pier fishing, fishing for giant cats, strippers, conservation, and even a couple of recipes maybe.
Thanks.

Jeremy Loc: America

I had to take mine to the pet store when I moved. I had a ball raising them. I used African Lake salt. They even got blood worms and feeder goldfish. One was really mean so I made a jail for it in the tank. I had a huge pleko to clean the glass

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Ages range from 5 to teens. You'd be amazed how fast a 7 YO learns something they really want to do

Cichlacat Steve Loc: FL, MO, IL

Oh I know that for sure. I’m picturing a 7 year old with my 15 foot surf rod. LoL!!

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I don't even use a 15'. My go tons are all 11.

Cichlacat Steve Loc: FL, MO, IL

My dad bought me a 15 foot surf rod as kind of a joke. He didn’t believe I’d ever really be able to use it. But I soon leaned to cast 6-8 oz weights and baits further than my 11 and 12 foot poles. I’ve managed to catch a shark Panama City Beach and a bunch of 10-40 lb blue cats with it below KY Dam and on the Mississippi. Some fisherman have made some sarcastic remarks but once they saw how far I can cast it and the fish I’ve caught with it soon quit making fun!

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Well there is the transport too. If I put a 15 footer in my rod rack it old e shortened by overpasses and power lines at 13 6🤑🤑

Cichlacat Steve Loc: FL, MO, IL

Yep. Mine breaks down into 3 pieces. But still each is 5 foot.