u/Apprehensive_Use_175

Callback Update So, an officer called me back saying that it wasn’t illegal. He was probably a commercial fisherman getting bait. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m not sure he understood what I was explaining, but I didn’t want to argue with him. He had been sent the video and photos.
He did say that he was probably catching perch, sunnies, or minnows? But here’s the thing? I’ve been fishing off that dock the past three years. The ONLY fish I’ve caught are LMB, gar, and bowfin. One time, exactly, I caught a black crappie. And I have seen a carp cruise around, but he definitely wasn’t catching carp. So I don’t know. Next time (hopefully there won’t be a next time) I’ll have to call it in as it happens. Get nervous though, because obviously, we live right there. Retribution would be made easy.
Has anyone else had something like this set up directly off their residential dock?
This line stretched from the community boat ramp down past five private residential docks. I went out to fish this morning and my fishing line actually got snagged on it. If we had taken our boat out, I’m concerned we could have had a much more serious problem, including potential damage to the boat or prop.
Do you think this is still worth reporting, especially since I have photos of the boat and fisherman, as well as video? Or should I just let it go?
My biggest concern is preventing this from happening again. I’m not trying to get anyone arrested or have them hit with some outrageous fine. I just don’t think something like this should be left across multiple residential docks where people are fishing and launching boats. I’d rather have it addressed now so it doesn’t become a bigger safety issue later.

Update- the guy did come by at 10 and went along the line. He pulled each fish up, chopped the heads off and threw there the head back in the lake (probably about 30 fish). By the time he retrieved his stuff it had washed out into the lake about 100 or more feet?
What was his point in doing this? Is this for good? To sell them? I am still reporting, but have to call, because the online form isn’t working on my phone.

EDIT TO ADD: Fair point that I should have said “According to ChatGPT’s summary of the FWC regulations” instead of “According to FWC.” That’s on me, and I’ll word it differently next time.
What surprised me wasn’t being corrected. I appreciate corrections when they’re about the information. What surprised me was how quickly the discussion became about attacking the fact that I used AI at all.
I’m new to fishing and was trying to understand Florida’s regulations. I used AI as a starting point, then asked other anglers because I wanted to make sure I understood them correctly. That’s not laziness. That’s literally trying to learn.
If the goal of a beginner fishing subreddit is to help beginners fish legally and responsibly, then correcting misinformation is helpful. Mocking someone for asking questions or using another learning tool isn’t.

Post:
I fish Lake Yale in central Florida pretty regularly, mostly for bass. Over the past few days I’ve spotted what I’m almost certain is the same enormous grass carp multiple times.
The first time I saw him, he was slowly cruising along the lily pads. Today I saw him again less than 10 feet from that same spot. He wasn’t spooky at all. He just silently glided along the reeds and then disappeared under the dock. The best way I can describe it is that he looked like a graceful blimp passing through the water.
At this point he’s become my “white whale.” 😄 I don’t want to keep him. I’d just love to catch him once, take a quick picture, and release him.
For those of you who target grass carp:
Do they usually follow the same routes or return to the same feeding areas?
Would you try bread, corn, lettuce, or something else?
What rod, line, hook, and rig would you recommend?
If you’ve caught big grass carp before, what worked for you?
I’d also love any tips for approaching a fish like this without spooking it. I’m in no hurry. I figure I have to earn Carpy’s trust first. 😂
Thanks in advance! I’d love to hear your stories or advice.
Pictures of Carpy. The first one is AI generated using the following three I actually got this morning. The water was very stained and dark. Overcast morning around 11:00am.

The biggest I have caught so far. Right before storms rolled into central Florida this afternoon around 3:30. Weighed 8.8 pounds! Caught using pearl colored plastic on a jig.

I’m a 46-year-old woman in Central Florida, and for the first time in my life I’m without dental or health insurance after losing my teaching job.
Overall, I’m in pretty good health, but I dealt with anxiety and migraines in my 20s and 30s, which caused years of grinding and clenching my teeth. I also had my son six years ago, and I’ve read that pregnancy can sometimes contribute to dental issues. Whether that’s related or not, my teeth have progressively gotten worse.
I brush, floss, and take good care of my teeth, and I even had braces as a teenager. Despite that, my molars continue to crack and break. I know I need at least a few extractions, and possibly fillings or other treatment. I’m trying to get ahead of it before the pain becomes unbearable.
Money is extremely tight, so I’m looking for clinics, dental schools, nonprofits, or any truly low-cost options in Central Florida. I did have an appointment at Valencia College’s dental clinic, but unfortunately I didn’t get much accomplished and wasn’t even able to get a cleaning.
Does anyone have recommendations for affordable dental care in the Central Florida area? If you’ve been in a similar situation, I’d really appreciate hearing what worked for you.
Thank you!

Hi everyone,
I’m in North Lake County, Florida.
A few nights ago I was sitting in a fairly dark Mexican restaurant eating dinner with my family when I suddenly felt something bite or sting my wrist/forearm area. I didn’t see what it was.
Within a short time, several raised red welts developed around the area (photos 2-4). At the time I couldn’t see a bite mark, only the red swollen welts.
A few days later I noticed what appears to be a small puncture mark or scab in the area (photo 1).
The redness and swelling seem localized to the wrist/forearm. I haven’t noticed drainage or pus.
Questions:
Does this look more like a typical insect bite/sting reaction?
Could this be from a mosquito, no-see-um, biting fly, or something else common in Florida?
Does it look concerning for infection or another skin condition?
Additional information:
Location: North Lake County, Florida
Happened indoors at a restaurant
Did not see the insect
Symptoms: painful cactus like feeling immediately, red welts, itching. Dissipated by next day.
No fever or other symptoms. Am a 46 year old female no medications.
Photos attached. Thanks for any insight.
Edit to add, it seems fine now- not expecting any diagnosis, just puzzled. Have never had welts like that. Have hard of caterpillars around here that do weird stuff like this- but in a restaurant? (I didn’t see at all what caused the pain).

My fish keep getting away- two big largemouth bass tonight… could my hooks be too small for these swim baits?

So, usually we catch the regular green largemouth bass in our lake. I have caught a few gars, bowfins, and one solitary black crappie over about the past three years. Tonight I caught a bass and he seemed very different than the others I’ve caught? He was like a gray/silver color (picture 1) when most are pretty average bright green (picture 2 of the usual suspect). Any reason this one bass is colored differently? His eyes seemed almost brown too. And his gills seemed to go out on the sides way more than they usually do. I live in Lake County Florida.

I am 46 year old female. About 200 pounds and 5’4” (and while I know I’m heavy- yes- I weigh two hundred pounds less than I did ten years ago). I just pulled what I thought was a scab off the lower right side of my back. I believe it’s been on me since we went to Clearwater lake springs recreation area on Sunday. I’m not a smoker/drinker and no meds except for multivitamins. I do tend to suffer from migraines a few times per month since I was about 20.
It turns out it was a tick. It duesnt look engorged, but it seems like it was attached well and left little marks. I don’t currently have insurance (thank you Florida education system) but could call the free county health clinic in the morning. Is it urgent enough to do that, or should I just keep an eye on the site, looking out for spreading readiness? If it were going to start when would it?
I saved the tick and checked the rest of my body including hair. The worst part about it is right before we left to come home Isais we had to check my son because I found one on my tshirt. 😭

I found this ring among my mom's jewelry after she passed, and I honestly do not remember her ever wearing it or talking about it. It was stored with her other jewelry, so I have no history on it.
Here are the things I know so far:
• Band is stamped 14K
• Stone measures around 3 carats (approximately)
• A diamond tester reads it as diamond
• It does not throw obvious rainbow colors like I expected from moissanite
• It actually seems a little cloudy or less sparkly than I would expect
• I cleaned it with Dawn, but it still looks somewhat hazy
I know photos can't confirm anything, but based on appearance alone, does this look more like a natural diamond, lab diamond, moissanite, CZ, or something else? Does anything about the setting or cut stand out? I know pictures can’t tell the whole story and will bring it to a jeweler.
I attached several photos from different angles. Curious what the jewelry detectives of Reddit think. 💍🔎
Sorry if not allowed.

So, I have never seen this before even though I’m reading it’s not thaaaat crazy. My 6 year old son has what looks like an adult tooth coming in behind his baby teeth. He just had a normal cleaning with the dentist within the past few months. Should I be alarmed about this, or take him back? He is not expressing any pain or discomfort at all.

Is this a good setup for catching largemouth in central Florida?