A 24-hour Suncatch Challenge
Back in August 2021, I posted an article on this site titled Sunfish on the Fly. It focused on my efforts to complete the, at the time, recently established Suncatch Challenge. Hosted by the Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International, the Suncatch (as originally designed) challenged anglers to catch 9 of 16 eligible sunfish species within the Gulf Coast region. Originally intended to be a long-term challenge, Ben Roussel and I both completed the challenge within four months!
Fast forward three years, and Ben (now a member of the GCCFFI board) has reworked the Suncatch into an expanded, multi-tiered challenge featuring 19 eligible species and awards for catching 8 (Suncatch Fanatic), 12 (Suncatch Expert) and 16 species (Suncatch Master).
With eight of those species (all members of the genus Lepomis) readily available in our local waters, I decided to see if I could complete the first level of the Suncatch (the Suncatch Fanatic) in a single day.
With a fairly open schedule this past Tuesday (ignoring the lawn I neglected to mow), I set out to see just how quickly I could complete the Suncatch Challenge.
Goggle-Eye & Stumpknockers
Starting near to home, I finished my coffee shortly after 8 AM, texted a few friends with my intended goal and headed for a nearby stretch of stained water that has been good to me in the past. Paralleling a rural highway, the roadside is lined with cypress knees and is home to a variety of species including Redspotted Sunfish (Lepomis miniatus; Stumpknockers) and Warmouth (Lepomis gulosis; Goggle-eye).
While the fishing here proved less than stellar (and the winds gustier than projected), I managed my first fish of the day, a decent Redspotted Sunfish, shortly before 8:45 AM. One species down, I elected to move on without a warmouth. If nothing else, I could always end my adventure along the same stretch of highway if the warmouth continued to elude me throughout the day.
Ditch Fishing for Diversity
Heading towards Baton Rouge, I made my way to a BREC park that Ben had introduced me to a few years before. While this park allowed access to a larger bayou, it was the small tributary (rather “ditch”) that transected the park that drew my interest. Home to at least seven species of Lepomis, the Dollar Sunfish (Lepomis marginatus) and, if luck was on my side, the Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) would be my primary targets on this particular morning.
Focusing on a wooded stretch along the park’s northern boundary, I immediately began catching small bluegill (Species 2 of 8) before beginning to find the diversity I was hoping for.
Adding a dozen or more bluegill along the way, I eventually hooked and landed my first Dollar Sunfish (Species 3 of 8) of the morning before spotting a bedding Redear Sunfish (Species 4 of 8) just before 11 AM.
Confident my next spot would provide a better opportunity to catch three of my remaining four species, I packed it up once again and continued to head further into town.
Of Sunfish and Superfund Sites
Trout may not live in ugly places, but Sunfish often do. And, for those of us in south Louisiana that includes Superfund sites.
Moving further into the heart of the city, I set my sights on three species: the Orangespotted Sunfish (Lepomis humilis), the Longear Sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) and the Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanelius). While each can be found in a number of waterways in and around Baton Rouge, it is the rocky shoreline of a particularly toxic waterway that holds all three in high concentrations.
Working the shallows with a size 20 beadhead nymph, I quickly added a green sunfish (Species 5 of 8) and upgraded my bluegill with a respectable specimen that ambushed my small nymph from beneath a rock.
Adding a pair of Longear (Species 6 of 8) shortly after, I continued to work the shoreline in search of an Orangespotted Sunfish. Finally landing a small metal gem of an Orangespotted (Species 7 of 8) shortly before noon, it was clear that I actually had a chance to complete the Suncatch Fanatic in a single day.
A Goggle-eye for the Win
After briefly pausing for lunch, I again texted a few friends to narrow down my potential Warmouth spots.
I knew I could return to my starting point, but wanted to finish the slam nearer to town as I had already made the drive.
Weighing my options, I eventually made my way back to the BREC Park that had produced my Redear, Bluegill and Dollar. Focusing on a stained section of water where the narrow bayou crossed under a road, I tied on a K.I.S.S. Damsel and began prospecting.
After a handful of missed strikes and a green sunfish, I finally found what I was looking for; hooking and landing a Warmouth (Species 8 of 8) as traffic zoomed by behind me. The time was 1:18 PM. Nearly five hours to the minute after I made my first cast of the morning.
The Suncatch Challenge
While I don’t expect many to attempt to complete the Suncatch Challenge in a day, I’d highly encourage everyone in the Gulf Coast region to give it a try. All that is required to compete is membership in the Gulf Coast Council of FFI. Beyond that, just proceed at your own pace and focus on whatever species are most readily available to you. For those of you outside of the GCC region, don’t worry. There has been talk of expanding the program nationwide. So stay tuned for updates as you too may be eligible to participate before long!!
And, for those who really want to learn more about the Suncatch…be sure to check out the April 12th episode of the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report on Spotifiy.
Tight Lines
Chris
Well done Chris.
Looks like a lot of fun.
Wish I lived closer and I would be a participant.
Rick
Thanks, Rick.
As I mentioned at the end, there was some talk of expanding the program nationwide in the near future. Not sure if it has gained any traction, but I’ll be sure to let you know if/when it does.
It has been a great way to promote the diversity of our fishery along the gulf coast and is something I hope could do the same for other regions as well.
Great story and nice accomplishment. Sounds like a great trip! Suncatch Fanatic/Lunatic/Master/Expert!
Thanks Kirk! I’m currently at 12 species (expert) for the entire challenge, but have my work cut out for me if I want to reach 16.