Northern Sea Robin ( Prionotus carolinus)

Northern Sea Robin ( Prionotus carolinus)

Also known as  … sea robin,  gurnard

Description …

The northern sea robin has a long tapered body with a broad head and a tough, bony covering and numerous spines.  Large pectoral fins can spread out and resemble wings of a bird.  They have 3 to 4 feelers at the base of each pectoral fin that resemble claws and are used as sensory organs and to walk along the bottom, feeling for forage items.  They are brownish in color with hints of orange along the back and fading to a grayish brown along the sides to a white belly.  The fins are brownish orange with a yellow hue.  The large pectoral fins also allow the fish to glide above the water’s surface much like a flying fish.

They make a noise like a frog when removed from the water, and have a drumming muscle that makes sound when beat against the swim bladder.  They are bottom feeders.  Catching them is common in Delaware and they are usually found in deeper waters near shore and the Delaware bay.  They will hit cut bait like bunker, mackerel, clam and squid.  They are most commonly caught when flounder fishing.  They have been known to hit lures when jigging the bottom.  In some countries they are considered edible and have become rather popular.  They are a preferred  for bait by lobster fishermen, and many anglers strip them out or use them as cut bait for flounder.  They can be a nuisance when flounder fishing and are common bait stealers.  They are also great bait if you strip them out to fish for flounder.

Delaware Creel limit …  None