I've collected most of my fish and invertebrates for several decades. I've been collecting and maintaining marine fish since the 1960s, when I was a kid.
I've collected in Florida and the Caribbean, but since 9/11 air travel with live fishes is difficult. it can be done, though. On my public profile album page are pictures of a fish I brought back from the Caribbean 6 years ago. I still have this Spotted Drum, now full grown at about 11 inches long.
Most of the fish I catch are Gulf Stream tropical strays, juveniles swept up the east coast from the Gulf of Mexico and Florida. There are a couple of these fish on my public profile page. These tropical strays are very common in NJ waters in late summer. Small butterflyfishes, cowfish, spiny boxfish, baby groupers, Lookdowns, and damsels are the most common, but we also get tangs, Bigeyes, angelfish, and a few rarities.
I use a hand net I make myself, essentially a 15 inch long 6 inch diameter flexible vinyl tube, attached to a metal hoop with a short handle and a screen bottom. These can also be purchased, and are much better than the monofilament landing nets, which tend to damage some fish and can only be used in a scooping method, something difficult to do around structure like thick corals.
The vinyl nets I use are not designed to scoop fish. You position the net in a way that allows you to chase the fish into it, and you then quickly bend it closed. This is much more effective, especially for reef fishes, which tend to hide in crevices and holes.
Collecting my own fish is a more significant part of my hobby than keeping them. The Gulf Stream strays all die when local waters get cold in the fall. Most of what I catch I give to friends.
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