We have fish that look like that in the lakes on our property(N. FL). The ones I'm talkin about have teeth. They are really boney and would take forever to clean. Everyone has always called them "Mudfish" or "Blackfish" not sure of a proper name though...

 

Cool looking fish to say the least.

I read up on them and they are native to your area Trooks. They are also the only living representative of an ancient family of fishes. There are no known subspecies, and are found throughout Florida.

Cool.

 

Thats cool. You cant kill these things. When a water hole goes dry all that is left are these fish, catfish, and som alligators.

 

At that point they become "gator food".

 

LOL. To be honest we kill every one we catch just to get rid of them.

 

What's the average size, and how big do they get?

Also, do they put up a good "fight"? There has to be some use for them. LOL

 

They put up a good fight but their teeth tear whatever bait your using beyond recognition usually. Avg size?? prolly anywhere from 4-8lbs. Def caught bigger ones but most are about that size.

 

Well, interestingly enough, I have never caught one, and I'd find it "neat" at first, but I'm sure they'd end up a pain after awhile. I guess they could be in the same class as a turtle in our area.

 

Yea fun for ahile. It just sux when your bass fishing and these things keep grabbin your line and gettin your hopes up

 

LOL

Yea, I could see how that'd get old.

 

Just a stab, but I'm going to say it's a fresh water fish.

 

It is. Some1 posted a link in a prior post with info on it.

 

 

Like what was said earlier it is a Bowfin also called: mudfish, mud pike, dogfish, grindle, blackfish, cottonfish, swamp bass or cypress trout. If you ever have a fish that you can't identify try here: www.landbigfish.com

Joe

 

I was way off.