Alberto had me running and gunning all night long with various beasties, something I never knew existed opening my eyes to some freshwater fish with some bad ass attitudes.

As I sit writing this in idyllic poolside comfort at the B Ocean Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, www.bhotelsandresorts.com/b-ocean/ I’ve just finished slogging through muddy, burr-infested canal systems in south Florida for 28 hours straight with Crazy Alberto Knie. Under the guise of darkness, Crazy Alberto of Tactical Anglers showed me the canal creatures that come out to play during the dark hours. Most of the inhabitants are exotics, usually invasive species that were released from aquariums and proliferated in the canal ecosystems and include a lineup of beasties like peacock bass, clown knifefish, gar, oscars, channel catfish, and mayan cichlids.

Alberto rigs up with medium class 7 to 7-½ St. Croix Mojo rods, with Abu Garcia Revo 5000 class spinning reels, spooled with 30-pound Spiderwire braided line then a 25-pound 28-inch section of Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader tied via Alberto Knot. To the tag end is a size 1/0 Owner or Gamakatsu Octopus hook. 20 inches above the hook is a slip float bobber and right below the bobber is a size B Split shot.

On the hook is a simple live shiner hooked through the back or through the lips and cast out, waiting and baiting. The bail is left open for the bobber to drift slowly with the wind or canal flow, and when any creature takes the bait, let it run giving a two count before the hook is set.

Our 28 hour shift saw some chunky peacock bass, gator sized garfish, fat boy channel cats, feisty mayan cichlids and the prized unicorn of them all, the clown knifefish. Fights with canal fish are heavy duty and furious, with fish throwing hooks and burning drags, so be sure to be prepared for a knock down drag out battle. Bring a landing net to insure you get a legitimate catch and always have a headlamp or small flashlight on hand or on head to illuminate the catch.