Toad , Shell cracker, just plane ugly

[garry21cc]

While bottom fishing with the kids this past holiday weekend we landed a fish that I believe is called a shellcracker / toadfish. How big do these things normally get ? The one we landed was about 15 inches longs and probably 5 lbs. We have caught them before but only palm sized little fella's.

[Waynesboro]

We call them Oyster Toads. 15" is pretty big - we've caught them from 3" to nearly 15" - but agree - more often they are small. Years ago down in Hampton we caught them - they were all on the large side.

Still fun for the kids, but a pain to unhook if they swallow it!

[whiskey79]

aka mutant from hell

[say uncle]

MILF....mother-in-law fish.....

[ted butler]

we caught one last sunday evening at ragged point fishing with the kids. i was trying to shake the hook out and the rascal bite me, kinda felt like having your fingers slammed in a car door. Nasty little critters

[basshby]

Garry, I have caught some fish like that down at Outer Banks, NC but not up this way. Also good report (pic) on catching Spanish Mackerel. Hope Spanish move up into the lower Potomac like they did the past 2 years.

[Son Worshiper]

I've caught them from time to time. One of the kids on my boat on the 4th caught one that was a little less than 6" which is about average for me. Keep in mind I was fishing in the Rappahannock River just off Urbanna (waiting for the fireworks.)

They're indeed nasty little critters but I've hear of folks eating the meat from the tail. I think I'd sooner eat a ray! :pinch:

Don't get your fingers into the mouth! No matter how small they are these things have jaws that'll break open an oyster shell... They'll break your finger if you give it to them! :eek2:

[Mike-JacksonCreek]

Toad's are delicious to eat and easy to clean, skin them like a catfish. I have eaten the ones I catch from the Potomac (Ragged Pt area) area for years. Some of the local old timers called them 'chicken of the sea'. They are great fried up. I'd sure love to have one 15", most we catch are 6-10"

Mike

[redcat]

Gorila Fish UGLYYYYY

[engagechad]

We catch them a lot off the grey's point bridge.. They are SUCH a disappointment when you pull them in because they fight so hard you think you've got something good!

[1fishnut]

I think someone got their toads mixed up "The chicken of the sea "is a Blow toad not the oyster toad "which is the turd of the sea"?

1 fishnut

[Mike-JacksonCreek]

Ok, I mixed toads up, but these lil critters eat quite well.

Mike

[FFBrent]

I've caught a ton of em and cant bring myself to try one...


sad, my first post on tidalfish is in response to an oyster toad:eek2:

[Oryster Toad]

Also called "Brown Trout" by locals.