Got out for most likely the final open water outing this past weekend. Work and family got me booked up for the next couple months. Finally got my nephew to a favorite spot of ours for the first time this year, and the fish were more than cooperative. Plenty of action from redhorse (shortheads and silvers), nearly a dozen carp hooked (unfortunately not that many landed - dang deadfalls) and FINALLY he got a smallmouth buffalo. Ever since he saw me catch one a few years back, he's been wanting one. He been so intrigue by them that he wanted me to put a pic of a Sm Buff as his ID photo on my cellphone. I think I have him trained well! He also wanted to see his pics on the computer, so here they are:








Of other interest, here is what I think is a confirmed male Sm Buff I caught. I know there's been some discussion on the shape/color depended on gender. I say male because he was releasing what I beleive was milt (see the drop just above his shoulders). Not sure if there is anyway to determine gender by external characteritics of this species, but thought I'd share.

That is good stuff.

The kid landed some species that are high on my fish-wish-list there, I'm jealous!! Sounds like he had a good (and cheap) guide.

Seriously though, it's great that you're showing him the wonders of multi-species angling. I think a lot of kids (and grown-ups!!!) could use an uncle like you..

Nice job. I also noticed that the little guy learned "the roughfisher smile" pretty quickly! It looks like he catches fish like that all the time.

It is odd that the SM buff was getting happy on your boat. Seems like the exact opposite time of year for them to be doing that. Not that I doubt your analysis... just odd timing. Now, we just need a pic of a female.

Congrats to the little dude. Wish I had a boat so I could take my nephews out...one day. Thanks for sharing..nice net by the way..have a similar one, but need to upgrade it to fit the Pike and Skis.

I agree with Tyler; I thought most sucker species spawned in the Spring. Could this discharge be something else; some kind of defense mechanism or stress indicator?

So I've fished this same spot, and never caught a buffalo. And now this child, who I remember when he was too young to enjoy fishing, is catchin species I've never mastered.

Grrrrr....

Thanks for the good words. I have great time fishing with my nephew and its pretty cool when he catches a new species. And maybe next time Rich I'll bring him along when we go out so he can help you to catch a buff. :)

I questioned the liquid coming out of the fish too, but it did fit what a milt spray sucker is like in the spring. It even sprayed a bit itself (on me of course). I guess I could have kept some so you could check it out under a scope...

Fish_E- Its a nice net and good brand. I had some issue with the bottom ring rusting and fraying the netting, thus creating a big hole. A couple guys here were with me when I netted some fish and they'd end up half sticking out of the net! Easy to repair though. I have a bigger version with an extendable handle and its a great net! I've used it for salmon/sturgeon/muskies without any issues. Even Tyler can net with it (see sturgeon fishing video I posted a few weeks back). The handle is strong enough to hoist up a 20lb king with it extended out 10ft. I had another extendable handle net that bent in half when I tried that. IMO, its wise to invest in something that will last when dealing with big fish.

Nice. I respect the fact that you never miss a chance to work in that joke. I think next time I should let you net your own fish.

J/K How would I knock them off your line with out a net?

Aghh!!! So thats what you catch there when you don't throw the anchor in like a depth charge!!
:D


Nice catch!! looks like a fun day!

as for the milt. it probably was, many fish species will be ready for spawning at unconventional times.
I have seen white suckers run up a creek near me in the fall and spawn. very odd thing to see in November.
they were males and no females so perhaps thats it.

it just shows to go ya (Fish is Weird!)