The oyster toadfish is a common catch for anglers who fish the nearshore ledges and reefs for flounder, gray trout and other species. They will hit spoons and jigs but are more likely to strike live and cut baits.
The toadfish is not pleasant to look; most anglers say it’s downright ugly. However, anglers can clean a toadfish the same way they clean a catfish: using a sharp knife to cut around the body just behind the head and skinning the fish using a strong grip and pliers. Locking pliers do the best job of holding the slippery skin securely. Once the fish is skinned, the meat can be filleted from the backbone and cooked in strips as with any catfish recipe; they are excellent eating when fried.
Anyone handling a toadfish should be aware that its powerful jaws and strong teeth can cause serious injury to hands or fingers. They also flip around when hooked, and the slime can cause eye irritation, so leave your sunglasses on whenever you unhook them.
Be the first to comment