I have chased and caught just about every fish available in my area but a new fish has peaked my interest. In Broward County S. Florida the ClownKnife fish is getting very big, both in size and popularity. It has taken me awhile to learn their habits but I think I am on to their habits. In this recent photo my buddy Capt Thadeus Ragan, photographer Pat Ford and I were fishing for the ClownKnife. Pat had never photographed a ClownKnife and so we targeted them. I was pretty nervous since I had targeted them the week prior only to come up with one and it was small. On this day we hit pay three times over and two of them (pictured) we the largest two I have ever seen. 

 

This fish is from Thailand and Indonesia and many folks keep the in an aquarium. I believe people have been releasing them into the lake system for many years. They eat a lot and they fight like crazy. They even have the ability to fight in reverse. Many times when I put the landing net in the water they will see it and swim away pealing drag in reverse. A wicked cool fight!

 

Photo Credit:

Pat Ford Photography

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow those fish are huge!! I could imagine the fight these fish put up with their wide bodies. Thanks for sharing Shane!! Another reason why South FL freshwater fishing is so unique.  

Dang! Big beasts.

 

Are they considered "invasive"?

Dang! Big beasts.

 

Are they considered "invasive"?

I assume all nonnative species except the Butterfly Peacock are invasive. I do not hear any chatter from the FWC about killing them.

I assume all nonnative species except the Butterfly Peacock are invasive. I do not hear any chatter from the FWC about killing them.

 

How about Barramundi? Saw a show with Hank Parker where

he fished for Barra. Thought it was in FL...

Do you fish live bait or artificals? 

How about Barramundi? Saw a show with Hank Parker where

he fished for Barra. Thought it was in FL...

Those Barraundi are up in Central Florida. The fellas that own that operation are farming them for food. Pretty cool that there are so many species in Florida coming from overseas.

Do you fish live bait or artificals? 

I am mainly am artificial fisherman. These were caught on shiners.

Wow,that is crazy good. Beautiful fish,never had seen one.

C22

how do they taste

Those are huge, I used to have a couple that were 10-12" in an aquarium.

Sounds like they're a blast! I've heard they're extremely difficult to catch on artificials, live bait seems to be the standard when targeting them. 

I am mainly am artificial fisherman. These were caught on shiners.

Yeah I was asking regarding knife fish, I think I read somewhere that they were hard to get to eat artificials so most people fished shiners.. Even in freshwater you guys (Florida) have all sorts of crazy species!!!

Yeah I was asking regarding knife fish, I think I read somewhere that they were hard to get to eat artificials so most people fished shiners.. Even in freshwater you guys (Florida) have all sorts of crazy species!!!

Edit: and that somewhere was not in Blue's post right there ⬆️