Inevitably, especially when fishing in saltwater, you’re not always going to catch the target species of fish you’re going after. Usually, that’s not a big deal. Unhook the fish, release it, rebait, and start over. There are certain fish, though, that can make this routine process tricky and even dangerous. Big teeth and poisonous spines are just a few of the issues that make these fish difficult to handle.
Sharp teeth, stinging barbs and odd croaking sounds are just a few of the reasons why anglers aren’t fond of catching certain saltwater fish species. Most of us hope that if we’re fishing inshore and we see our rod tip go down, that there’s a nice 27 inch redfish or 31 inch snook on the other end of the line. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. If you’ve been fishing long enough, you’ve probably experienced your fair share of undesirable catches… and may even have a few scars to prove it. Here are five saltwater fish that you don’t want to catch and the reasons why:
Gafftopsail Catfish. Quite different from its cousin, the non-venomous freshwater catfish, the bluish-silvery gafftopsail catfish has venomous spines on the pectoral and dorsal fins that can deliver a painful and toxic sting. The gafftopsail catfish should never be handled. Always use a dehooker and exercise caution if one happens to land in your boat or near your feet. This species is most frequently found in the shallow inshore waters of the western central Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Photos: Take Me Fishing (top), SoCal Salty (above)
