Fish ID ?

[reelhandy]

Caught this today out at Ocklockonee Shoal, and can't really figure out what it is. It had some big teeth and jumped like crazy. Anyone know what it is?





We caught a wide variety, lots of small sharks and a nice bonnethead, 2 keeper trout, a Ladyfish that was a lot of fun, a bunch of bait stealers that I know weren't pinfish but don't really know what they were, and the obligatory slime cats.

[charlie tuna]

That is a "houndfish" can get as big as 5 foot -- nice colors like a sailfish

[CaptReelThyme]

Yep HoundFish...Do your self a favor. Have fun with it. Let it take line, reel in, take line, reel in. Let them get tired, then use a dehooker. they have been known to jump and stab people. They are a pain in the a$$, ask SaltyGator.

[Dubble Trubble]

Saltwater Gar, Giant Needlefish, Houndfish
Range & Habitat : Gulfwide, but primarily offshore.
Identification & Biology : Essentially, this fish is a larger, offshore version of the Atlantic needlefish. It is more heavy-bodied than any other needlefish species.
Size : Averages 3 feet, but can reach 5 feet.
Food Value : None in the United States, but they are relished in other countries. The flesh is reputed to taste very good, although like other needlefish, it has green bones.

Dubble

[reelhandy]

Thanks for the responses. There were some good sized fish doing wild jumping routines like I'd never seen out there today. It was like they were skittering across the water like a thrown stone. Very fast repetitive jumps that covered a pretty good distance. I could have sworn that at one point one of the fish was tumbling end over end across the surface. We tried to get close to where we were seeing some of this taking place, and that's where I caught the Houndfish. I unhooked it without bringing it in the boat like I do with most fish that have teeth and aren't going in the box.