Whats this?

[newfisherman]

Was out on Shields pier today and pulled this in. My guess is a Gurnard. Any takers?

[Blanked again]

Scorpion fish mate

[Stewart 1971]

Scorpion fish mate

Yep its a Scorpion Fish, aka Bullhead, aka Pollymog, aka Grannyfish. Ugly looking things but completely harmless.

[big phil 123]

yep or as my mate calls them alien fish lol

[newfisherman]

Ah, thanks very much chaps. Have to admit i was slightly terrified when it came up!

[Rocker]

Sea scorpion!
Lovely little fish, some are really outrageous check this out!

Image taken from google images.

[g.ordon]

Sea scorpion!
Lovely little fish, some are really outrageous check this out!

Image taken from google images.

Yev got some bottle picking that up mate

[Wreckingball76]

Was out on Shields pier today and pulled this in. My guess is a Gurnard. Any takers?

It's a Long Splined Sea Scorpion mate, a Scorpionfish is a different species again.

[newfisherman]

It's a Long Splined Sea Scorpion mate, a Scorpionfish is a different species again.

Just googled that and ill settle for that!

Anyone know what size these things grow too? The one i pulled out was about 8 - 10inch long, for all i know thats either a baby or a prize specimen

[Stewart 1971]

It's a Long Splined Sea Scorpion mate, a Scorpionfish is a different species again.

Not according to The Aquarium Project it's not, at least not if it is a Long Spined

Long-spined Bullhead

Just googled that and ill settle for that!

Anyone know what size these things grow too? The one i pulled out was about 8 - 10inch long, for all i know thats either a baby or a prize specimen

Difficult to tell from the picture if it is a long spined or a short spined:

Short-Spined Bullhead

2lb 7oz is the British Record for the Short Spined, caught just up the road in Whitley Bay

[Wreckingball76]

You can tell a short spined from a long splined by the shape and appearance of the throat membrane and angular lip barbs, short splined are also slightly less common and generally smaller. Scorpionfish are recognised as a different species and are not generally found in our waters, normally around the southwest coast.

Very subtle differences, but it's no different to the confusion between, Poor Cod / Pout or Brill / Turbot or Plaice / Flounder etc etc.
Can be very difficult to tell apart at times.

[big phil 123]

was wrong clever tool that like might have to download it

[billynobaits]

The clowns i've seen lifting them out of the water,and either cut the hook length off,before kicking it back in the water,or standing on the tail end whilst trying to remove the hook with pliers.For f*** sake,they are that common around our shore,you'd think people would know what they are,realise they are completely harmless,and treat them with a bit of respect.I must have un hooked dozens,for blokes who are frightened to touch them...ye gods.

[dabcatcher]

ive seen them up to 1.1/2lb and heard they can grow bigger.

if you hold them with a towel they are harmless.

lots of times while holding them you will feel them ..buzzzz

[newfisherman]

The clowns i've seen lifting them out of the water,and either cut the hook length off,before kicking it back in the water,or standing on the tail end whilst trying to remove the hook with pliers.For f*** sake,they are that common around our shore,you'd think people would know what they are,realise they are completely harmless,and treat them with a bit of respect.I must have un hooked dozens,for blokes who are frightened to touch them...ye gods.

Woah easy there tiger. If you don't know what they are, then you don't know what they are! You say they're common to our shores, then say you've had to unhook dozens for people who didn't know what they are. I must have asked 4 or 5 people what it was and no one knew, hence asking on this fourm.
How do you realise that's somthings harmless until you're told? How did you handle the first crazy looking thing you pulled out the sea? I personally stuck my gloves on and unhooked it and put it back, but can well imagine people not wanting to touch it. For all knew It could have been a weaver fish's cousin with spikes to boot