Is there any concern in handling them? I'm not interested in eating them but the last 2 I caught were handled with care because i'm not familiar with them.
They aren't a invasive/non-native like lionfish and migrate into our waters often.
Smooth Puffers
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Re: Smooth Puffers
Only if you stick a finger in their mouth.procraftwes wrote:Is there any concern in handling them?
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StMarksAngler
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Re: Smooth Puffers
Not at all, they're harmless.procraftwes wrote:Is there any concern in handling them? I'm not interested in eating them but the last 2 I caught were handled with care because i'm not familiar with them.
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Crippledminnow
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StMarksAngler
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Re: Smooth Puffers
Well, harmless in the sense that you're not going to be envenomated by touching them, as you might by a lionfish. There's a whole lot of fish whose mouths I wouldn't recommended sticking your finger in.
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trout fisher
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Re: Smooth Puffers
I brought 2 home to clean from this past weekend. I dressed the first one successfully without piercing any entrails. The skin comes off easier than a catfish. The meat is beautiful. I filleted off both sides and they look like a large chicken tender. I have not eaten them yet and I may not. I just had to try the process for myself. The second one I cut down too far through the spine and I didn't feel comfortable with what I saw. I looked this morning for dead fish and/or turtles in my pond but didn't see any. 