Site #12: Hillsborough River at FL 582, E. of Tampa

In just a few minutes work, the guys turned up one of the best catches of the day including:
Threadfin shad (Dorossoma petenense)
Bluefin killifish (L. goodei)
Seminole killifish (F. seminolis)
Coastal shiner (N. petersoni)
Brook silverside (L. sicculus)
E. mosquitofish (G. holbrooki)
Least killifish (H. formosa)
Tadpole madtom (N. gyrinus)
Golden topminnow (F. chrysotus)
Pirate perch (A. sayanus)
Bluegill (L. macrochirus)
Warmouth (L. gulosus)
Pleco (Hypostomus sp.)
Pacu (Colossoma sp.) - dead one

After a welcome round of showers, eight remaining fishheads accepted Allen's kind invitation to visit his home. His foyer featured a superb planted aquarium that could easily be the feature shot of a fish hobbyist magazine. Pizzas and wings were ordered and consumed at a rapid pace as the bunch settled in to watch Fritz's videos.

Fritz, working with NOAA, spent part of the past several summers off the Atlantic Coast doing deep-water studies from submersibles. The video footage they shot was excellent. His narration was also entertaining and informative. Steven did get caught nodding off, but it was not a commentary on the presentation.

After some plant and food swaps, the troops bid Allen goodnight, driving back to the motel to get some badly needed sleep and prepare for the continuation of the chase at Tampa Bay the following morning.

The planted 55 gallon aquarium in the home of Allen Boatman. (Photo by
Allen Boatman)