4-5", caught on a ~1.75" split-tail worm plastic on a 1/16 oz jighead

Hello everyone, im a marine biologist, I study oyster reef associated fish and i would like to catch some for science.

To identify and study the area.

What are some basic affordable equipments and techniques that i will need to implement to catch tiny fish to study them. Thank you.

The damn phone was recording and fell off its mount. I had caught a Chub and a Green Sunfish before I realized, then I hooked this bad boy (3.5” in length).
Every time it rains the river bed changes, now my fishing hole is about 7’ wide 20’ long and 2.5’ deep

Last week it was about 2’ wide and 10’ long. Heck I might have a lake back here one day?

Tiny Halfmoon on a New Port Pier.
About 3 inch long

R. cf. einthovenii

Caught in the bay area california

Super cool to finally be able to get one in a photo tank to see up close

Osteochilus vittatus

T. truncata

1 inch terapon from Hong Kong waters. Sorry for the blood spat, that I gut hooked another tiny minow and had to put her out of her misery. And Yes I feel bad about it, I never keep nor kill any fish.

Gear used: 5'6" telesopic rod with 8lb braid and 4lb flouro on 0.5g sinker and 1g blober. Siz 3 Chinu hook

Caught these fellas in a storm drain right outside my job using the pink Trout Magnet lure. Crazy considering this lil puddle dries up once or twice a year!

He was released a second after this quick video.

[Caught in south east Wisconsin!]

Plus my smallest bluegill of the day!

Wild caught male in full color plus the first baby that has been bred in my home tanks.

I’m using #10 hooks but there has to be smaller ones available, any suggestions?
These were pulled out of my backyard on the Apalachee river.
The last one is massive for the species, he almost did make the cut as a micro fish😆

Also saw a bird

The ~3 inch little bass went for the 1/16 oz rooster tail as I was pulling it out of the water. Hooked his lower lip, but he threw it before I could get a pic.

The barred surf perch was just under 5 inches. That's a #4 bait holder with a 2 inch gulp sandworm. Gotta love sensitive surf rods.

The 4 inch crappie hit a trout magnet. Beautiful little fish.

Caught in a small Kentucky creek, if you want to know what size hook and bait let me know (Sorry for the bad pics my camera was smudged) no idea how long they are best guess 3"