5/9/08 Report

[fishintj]

I got to the skyway around 8:30pm, got the bait with no problem except at the shallow end of the pier the seaweed was ridiculous, I couldnt even get the sabiki rig down to the bait. I fished just north of the baithouse on the gulf side of the pier. The bite was on the entire night. I eventually ran out of bait and I was cuttng the greenbacks into 4 or 5 pieces. Caught a couple lady fish and tried to use them as shark bate or tarpon bait but nothing on that. I caught a couple of grouper, what I believe were scamp and they were no bigger than 5 inches long. Also I caught a weird looking fish and as best as I could describe it as a toad fish. I looked like a science experiment with a toad, fish, and a snake. It was kinda colored like a gag grouper but it was the weirdest thing I have ever seen. The mangrove snapper were going off, I watched everyone pulling them over the rail. Also I did manager to get my first keeper mango. He measured in at 12" and hoping will taste great for lunch today. Good luck to everyone and tight lines.

[GoinDeep]

Nice report

[SkyJay]

T.J., Did yer little fishy have little crawly legs on the bottom, and a mouth bigenough to eat a 3 horse kicker?

[fishintj]

Definitely had a big mouth. It seemed to have legs but they could have been fins. Ah well some other people I have talked to said that it was a toad fish or some call it sea robbins. No clue if its true but it is very possible.

[SkyJay]

I'm leanin towards sea Robin, that's why I asked about the legs.


Last keeper Grouper we got had 1 in his belly...


Go figure.

J.

[Kracker]

did your mystery fish look like this?
if so that is called a toad fish

[fishintj]

That is the fish. It's kinda funny cause I had never heard of a fish called a toad fish. I thought I was kinda making it up as that is what it looked like and wouldnt you know thats the name of the little guy. Thanks for the picture and clearing it up.

[Kracker]

no problem. i was in the same position and went hunting for the name. i'm not too fond of them though because their poisonous. i wouldnt handle them without gloves with a rubber palm. last time i cought them every one tried to poke me and poison me. another weird fish you might see is a cow fish. its awkwardly shaped and if you grab it, it is very hard. but its poisonous too. so dont grab it with out gloves on, and it had horns over its eyes. so watch out for those. i have pics of that one too

[SkyJay]

AKA, Mother In Law, or Dog Fish.


Usually a sign the tide has slacked, and it's gonna be a while, at least until the next tide change, the Mangos, have vacated the prmises.


SJ

[steelcity]

for any posinous or toothy critter a de-hooker is nice to have. if you don't have one use your needle nose pliers. grab a hold of the hook as close as you can without being bitten and flip the fish in the opposite direction that the hook is facing. Hold on tight to your pliers.

[Kracker]

yeah, i always take a multi-tool with me. and i never go without my gloves. but toad rish are nasty things its pretty much impossible to get a hook out of them without grabbing them with your hand.