Odd looking creature spotted on New Jersey beach
Housefish spotted on Island Beach State Park. (Photo courtesy of Kimberly Nagy-Lychock)
Have you ever seen a houndfish? As reported by Kimberly Nagy-Lychock on the Betty and Nicks Bait and Tackle Fishing Club forum, she caught this gamefish at Island Beach State Park Tuesday.
The houndfish, also known as a crocodile needlefish, has no spines and can grow up to 5 feet and reach 10 pounds, according to wikipedia. They are found in oceans around the world and are attracted to lights, and while they’re considered tasty, there is only a small market available. Fishermen are sometimes fearful of the fish as it has a tendency to leap out of the water when hooked and puncture with its beak-like bill, the wikipedia article notes.
Last summer, the Asbury Park Press reported that there was an influx of houndfish in New Jersey waters.
“There’s a ton of these around. They’re really fun to catch but you have to be really careful of the teeth. If you do get one and you’re taking it off the hook be very careful,” John Bushell Jr. of Betty and Nick’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park told the newspaper.
APP article: http://bit.ly/164vhoU
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Justin Auciello is editor of JSHN, a content partner with NewsWorks.
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