joshgamble
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Caught in norwalk ct.
What is this?
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Caught in norwalk ct.
peregrines
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That's a "sea robin"--- quite common along the eastern seaboard- Usually they're caught by folks fishing bait on the bottom, but they'll whack lures, tins and flies occasionally too. They're basically scavengers, and most folks consider them "trash fish"--- but some keep them and eat the meat in the tail which is said to be pretty tasty (white flesh, not oily) but i've never eaten one.
Great looking fish huh?-- they look like they were designed by a committee.
Great looking fish huh?-- they look like they were designed by a committee.
joshgamble
Well-known member
They look like a cross between a catfish and a bird of paradise. Are the safe to handle.They have a lot of dodgy looking tentacles.
peregrines
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yes, just be careful to grab them behind the "wings" (pectoral fins), and fold down the dorsal fin before you pick them up. (They have sharp spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins that can stick you if you pick them up when the fin is raised). Those "tentacles" are actually the ventral fins that have evolved to act like legs--- sea robins are generally found on the bottom, and they can sort of walk along on those "legs" like a lobster. But as you see they will swim up to nail flies, plugs or tins (usually in shallow water).
patyer
Active member
Caught a bunch of them when I was younger bottom fishing off the Jersey coast. Never thought one would smack a rapala like the one in the pic.
Rip Tide
Well-known member
Ran into a old friend on a Rhode Island beach last fall, so we fished the surf together just yards apart so that we could chat.
While I caught a few stripers, all he was picking up were sea robins.... one after another.
LMFAO
While I caught a few stripers, all he was picking up were sea robins.... one after another.
LMFAOjoshgamble
Well-known member
Poor guy. They arent exactly race horses.
Rip Tide
Well-known member
Another sea robin story.... I hope you can picture this
A couple of autumns ago I was out in my kayak fishing a blitz. Small bluefish on peanutbunker. There was maybe 10 or a dozen cormorants taking advantage of the frenzy. At one point a cormorant pops up right next to my kayak about an arms length away. About half way down the bird's throat was lodged a small sea robin. You could tell exactly what it was as the shape was obvious.... right down to those "wings" sticking straight out sideways in the cororant's throat
:yikes:
A couple of autumns ago I was out in my kayak fishing a blitz. Small bluefish on peanutbunker. There was maybe 10 or a dozen cormorants taking advantage of the frenzy. At one point a cormorant pops up right next to my kayak about an arms length away. About half way down the bird's throat was lodged a small sea robin. You could tell exactly what it was as the shape was obvious.... right down to those "wings" sticking straight out sideways in the cororant's throat
:yikes:
kglissmeyer1
Well-known member
What a totally cool looking fish!:thumbsupu
Kelly.
Kelly.
sandfly
Well-known member
The back meat along the spine is delious. my lab likes to play with them for hours. also good strip bait for stripers and such.
Jimmie
Well-known member
Just when you think that you've seen 'em all.
Those guys must just live on the east coast?
Those guys must just live on the east coast?
joshgamble
Well-known member
I had no idea what I was pulling up.Didnt really want to touch it.Now I have been educated.Wont be such a sissy next time.
Will never forget the first one I caught. Was fishing for flounder in Rye Harbor, NH.with the old man. I think I was 7. "I got one Dad!" Over the side of the boat came a sea robin. Back over the side went the sea robin along with the rod and reel! Dad spent some time trying to foul hook an out of sight rod and I sulked in the bow. I'm glad to be a little taller now so I can see what's come over the side before it's in the boat!
Sep
Well-known member
Honestly, if I my life depended on it and I had to choose one piece of artificial bait to exist on, I'd pick that Original Rapala, in silver. It'll catch darn near anything.
Sep
peregrines
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Dt doug--- great story! They do look pretty scary.
Jimmy - there are a bunch of different species worldwide, and some folks refer to them as "gunards". Here in the Northeast the "common sea robin" is pretty widespread and often caught when fishing for fluke (summer flounder), striped bass and other fish when fishing on the bottom using bait. It's considered a trash fish by most. But as Sandfly mentioned the meat along the spine is said to be delicious and strips cut from the belly skin make a great tough, fluttering addition (like Uncle Josh pork rind) to hooks when using softer baits that tend to get stolen by crabs etc.
They are ugly, and the spines along the dorsal fin have a mild venom that can cause a while for punctures to heal if you get poked. Generally it's a good idea to have a pair of pliers or dehooker of some sort to remove hooks-- and the same waters are also bluefish territory so add another reason to carry pliers (blues have teeth that can do some damage).
Jimmy - there are a bunch of different species worldwide, and some folks refer to them as "gunards". Here in the Northeast the "common sea robin" is pretty widespread and often caught when fishing for fluke (summer flounder), striped bass and other fish when fishing on the bottom using bait. It's considered a trash fish by most. But as Sandfly mentioned the meat along the spine is said to be delicious and strips cut from the belly skin make a great tough, fluttering addition (like Uncle Josh pork rind) to hooks when using softer baits that tend to get stolen by crabs etc.
They are ugly, and the spines along the dorsal fin have a mild venom that can cause a while for punctures to heal if you get poked. Generally it's a good idea to have a pair of pliers or dehooker of some sort to remove hooks-- and the same waters are also bluefish territory so add another reason to carry pliers (blues have teeth that can do some damage).