caught this off a pier along with some spot and a white perch

another pic

another pic

It was in the Chesapeake Bay if that helps

That thing is poisonous! Never touch these fish! Your hands will turn black, your fingernails rot off and then your hair will fall out!

Just kidding! ;D ;D ;D

I have no idea?

I have never seen a fish that strange looking caught on rod and reel. Im clueless

Looks like a goby.

Its either a Toad Fish or a Blow Fish.

I think it is a Toad Fish by the pictures.

If it inhaled a lot of air and pumped up its belly then it is a Blow Fish.

We catch them all the time in the Chesapeake Bay.

They are bottom dwellers.

Won't hurt you.

Jut throw them back.

What pier were you on?

My favorite pier in Poquoson blew away and my second favorite pier in Sandbridge is just too far to drive.

Were you at Virginia Beach?

Sam

I think it is a Toad Fish by the pictures.

Right on. Thats an Oyster Toadfish.

I agree with ncbass24, that is defianately an oyster toad.  They are a pain, especially when they swallow your hook.

Big T

Oyster Toad!

What pier were you on?

My favorite pier in Poquoson blew away and my second favorite pier in Sandbridge is just too far to drive.

Were you at Virginia Beach?

Sam

I was fishing the solomons island pier in MD at the mouth of the Patuxent River

I have caught several of those Oyster Toad fish. Their jaws are like a steel trap. Larger ones actually crush the shells of oysters. Don't put your fingers in it's mouth when trying to unhook it. Yoooall be sorry.

I always knew them as oyster toads when I was a kid on the pier in VA.  Here in Texas they call them dog fish.  Same ugly fish, different name.  Cutting your line is your best bet.

toad fish, only fish i caught in the ocean i was told, it was poisonous

I have caught several of those Oyster Toad fish. Their jaws are like a steel trap. Larger ones actually crush the shells of oysters. Don't put your fingers in it's mouth when trying to unhook it. Yoooall be sorry.

I lip them like a bass, and never have had any problems with them. Mine were all small though, caught them in the canals. I always think its a small flounder when they surface and I see the brown. They sure are ugly though.

About 25 years ago my dad caught one at Harkers Island NC that weighed about 4 to 5 pounds. He stuck his fingers in it's mouth to dislodge the hook and SNAP! It took several minutes and a bunch of foul words to get the jaws open. His knuckle was blue for three days.

If you can catch one big enough, and can avoid the venomous spines - which hurt like hell - they really are a tasty fish.  

Fishing here on the Oregon Coast, off the piers cant keep them off the hook.  I have always known them to be called bullheads. Those spines on top are plenty sharp too.