Chokoloskee
by Pastor Jesse Wilson
Chokoloskee Family Church
It’s a call I enjoy getting. “Pastor, would you like some fish?” Of course, I said yes, what person doesn’t like fish? I not only like fish, I like to eat in general, I heard that’s important for a happy life. Like my momma always used to say, “you can call Jesse a lot of things, except late for dinner!” That’s especially true when it comes to fish, especially the fish right here in the waters surrounding the Ten Thousand Islands! When I showed up at the resort on Chokoloskee to pick up the freshly caught fish I was told it was Sheepshead.
My first thought was “I don’t want any sheep; I want some fish!” Then I looked in the cooler and was introduced to Sheepshead fish! My wife cooked it for dinner that evening and it was delicious. Best sheep I ever had, well in the fish family anyway! When you look at a Sheepshead fish, you’ll do a double take. Its got some unique looking teeth, almost human like, and large. I was told they are good for eating barnacles. Seeing those teeth reminded me of a girl I used to date. Since then, I’ve learned we have quite a farm under the waters here around Chokoloskee and Everglades City.
Photo by Craig Daniels
If your lucky you might catch a Hogfish, heard it goes well with eggs and toast. Sorry, wrong kind of hog, but it does have a unique look, kind of like a hog’s face. I doubt though it tastes like bacon, but it would be funny if it did. It’s related to the Snapper family of fish, and they don’t take too kindly to them being made fun of.
If your out in the bay and you see a cow swimming, don’t be scared, a closer look would reveal that its just a Cownose Ray, part of the stingray family, and no I’m not talking about Corvettes. These rays have what resembles a cow like nose. I’m sure they would glide through the waters easier and quicker if it weren’t for the large nose God gave them.
Eating at one of the local restaurants in town, I tried some Tripletail fish. I thought three tailed fish were the ones swimming around the nuclear power plant in Jensen Beach. But it turns out here in our waters we have a delicious fish called Tripletail, and trust me when I tell you, it’s quite good! If you’re out in the water and you hear what sounds like a drum solo, you might want to check your line, you probably caught a Black Drum Fish. I’ve been told when they are caught, they make a drum sound. If you know any local bands who need a drummer, or a local church, I know a fish.
One of the important rules for boating through the shallow waters around the islands, watch out for the rocks. Unless of course you’re fishing, then you just might catch a Rockfish. Goliath might have survived had young David hit him with a Rockfish instead of the other rock he had. Rockfish are also known as Striped Bass, but my David and Goliath joke wouldn’t have had the same effect. I think I just heard my wife groan at my feeble attempt at a joke.
We were out fishing with some church members a couple weeks ago. Thankfully I didn’t have to worry about Robins, they can’t fly. I’m not talking about birds, but the Sea Robin. They make strange noises when caught and if you’re not careful the barbs in its tail will sting you. I prefer the Red Robins from my home state of Michigan, they sound sweeter to the ears.
Recently Craig Daniels, my associate Pastor at Chokoloskee Family Church sent me a picture of a beautiful fish his son caught. Marshall is only five, but you’re never too young to start learning about the water here around the islands, and whats in them. Marshall can drive a boat almost as good as an adult, and he can fish just as good too. He had caught a Red Drum, not sure what band lost it, but there it was floating in the water. Wait, I meant he a caught fish, a Red Drum, also known as a Redfish. Marshall caught it in a castnet, just another thing the kid is good at. The over footlong beast was a beauty, and I’m sure it was delicious. I wouldn’t know personally, because Craig didn’t share any. Did I tell you he works for me at the church? I thought I had put that in the job description.
‘Associate Pastor, all fish caught by you, or your amazing son, must be shared with the senior pastor.’ Guess I need to have a meeting next week with him and his boat driving, castnet throwing little phenom he’s raising.
Photo by Angela Nicholson
My friend Carl, a.k.a the alligator wrestling, bear chasing, usher at my church, told me about the Ladyfish. They are easy to spot because all the male fish are gawking at them. Those male fish need Jesus. Apparently, the Ladyfish are the poor mans Tarpon, they like to jump and dance when caught. Rumor has it that’s the real reason the male fish like them, the Ladyfish are good dancers. Carl caught a Peacock not long ago, not the kind with feathers, those are mean and will chase you if you get too close. I know that because, well anyway that’s not important. Carl caught a Peacock Bass, and it was a beauty. They are known to put up a fight when caught, but apparently this one didn’t get the memo on Carl. Fish don’t fight Carl, neither do bears, wild pigs or pythons. It’s the unwritten rule of the Everglades. Maybe it should be posted, it would make it a fair fight.
Carl has a bear rug, had it for ten years. It’s not dead, it’s just scared to move. Like I said, the Peacock Bass didn’t get the memo. Carl took him home and nobody’s heard from that fish since. A fish story wouldn’t be complete without a tall tale. I once caught a 50-pound bass with a 1-pound line, fought it for three hours while I read a book on bass fishing. If you believe that then I have some prime real estate for sale just off the Turner River. But I did catch a Goliath Grouper when out fishing a couple weeks ago. You’re not allowed to keep them, they are protected. But you can photograph them before returning them to the water. With a name like Goliath Grouper, I kind of felt like David facing Goliath. Now that I worked the whole David and Goliath thing into my article twice, I think I have an idea for Sunday’s sermon!
So, the next time someone asks if you want some fish and its a strange name, just look at them with your head tilted a little and ask, “what did you call it?” You just might learn something about the fish in the Ten Thousand Islands.
