Are You Lost?

  Well, I had to call on one of my fish experts again yesterday.  A strange fish (or at least one I have not caught before) visited the Bayou.  I knew it was one that should not be out in the saltwater but, since I do not fish freshwater, I was at a loss for a true identification.  This time, I called on Jason.  I first met this young man years ago when he would visit the Little Bayou House with a group of my oldest son's friends.  He was a tall, lanky lad who would tell fish stories incessantly.   It was obvious that this kid spent a lot of time on the water.  Each time he left the Bayou, he would always remind me "If you ever need anything, Babe, just call me!"  (Yep, he is a true Southerner.  Every female was called "Babe", "Honey" or "Sweetheart".  It mattered not if they were newborns or 100 years old.  This was not being disrespectful, rather just the opposite.  He still calls me that and still extends the kind offer of help at any time.  He is a good kid.)  Anyway, Jason confirmed that the little fishy was indeed a freshwater fish.  "Shell Cracker, Freshwater Bream, Redear or Redear Sunfish.  Down in Louisiana, they call them "Chinquapins"..take your choice.  They are all the same."  I checked and, of course, he was correct!

  Now, the kicker.  Why was this little fish out in the saltwater of the Bay and not up in the creek or at least far back in the Bayou?  Jason's answer?  "Sometimes they nest with Bluegills in brackish water. Obviously, this one was chased out of the brackish water of the bayou area by some larger fish.  Redfish will strike on the smaller ones.  They are not bad bait."  Good to know, I suppose, if I ever need to catch a really large fish!  It sure is nice to have a "go to" person for all of this information!

  The Shell Cracker (my preferred name) belongs to the freshwater sunfish family just like Bluegills and Crappie.  They get their name from their feeding habits.  The preferred meal for a Shell Cracker is mollusks. The Shell Crackers are adept at cracking the shells of snails and even small clams.  Occasionally, they dine upon shrimp or worms.  The Shell Crackers are sought after pan fish that many folks say taste far better than other fish.  My little fishy lived to see another day.  I figure that it had already seen enough trauma for one day and so it went free. Perhaps we shall meet again...just not under such circumstances.  I would prefer to photograph the little fish and catch the large ones.