[fishinbob]

I fished Croatan today and caught one of these on a spec rig with gulp minnows. It looks like a weird oyster toad to me. Didn't get any more bites. Hopefully things pick up soon.

 

[Fish'n Phil]

Nice catch...stargazer.

 

[fishinbob]

Nice catch...stargazer.

Thanks. Very ugly looking fish.

 

[Thrifty Angler]

Be careful not to accidentally step on one.

 

[gordy]

Rub their forehead for good luck!

 

[speckhunter80]

Stargazer....you light up my life

 

[ncdead]

Stargazer....they will bury themselves in the sand in shallow water. They have a wicked dorsal spine that will inflict damage if stepped on while wading barefooted. Beware.

 

[fishinbob]

Stargazer....they will bury themselves in the sand in shallow water. They have a wicked dorsal spine that will inflict damage if stepped on while wading barefooted. Beware.

I honestly did not know about the spine. I think I've heard of these guys before. Are there a lot of them around here? I spend a lot of days at the beach when I'm not fishing and am thankful I haven't stumbled upon one yet.

 

[Dr. Bubba]

aside from the spine, as others have alluded to, the northern stargazer has the ability to give you an electric jolt as if you handle the proper way!!
two sacs on top of the head. Don't know if you're supposed to be touching both like +/-, or with your tongue like a 9V...

 

[fishinbob]

aside from the spine, as others have alluded to, the northern stargazer has the ability to give you an electric jolt as if you handle the proper way!!
two sacs on top of the head. Don't know if you're supposed to be touching both like +/-, or with your tongue like a 9V...

I saw the sharp fins and the sharp teeth and something told me this guy should not be touched without proper care. Glad I didn't touch him haha.