Searobin

Species > Searobin

Searobins are bottom dwelling fish found infrequently in Florida estuaries all the way out to mid-shelf waters. Searobins can reach up to 16 inches in length and are named for their wing-like pectoral fins that expand and contract as they drift along the bottom of the sea floor, resembling a bird in flight. Searobins are equipped with 6 legs that are actually spines separated from their wings which they use to stir up the bottom in search for food or to bury themselves in the sand when threatened. Another unusual trait of the searobin is the frog like croaking sound they make when hooked.

Beware, this harmless fish does have a mild poison in the sharp spines of their gill plates and dorsal fins which can cause pain for a few days when stung.

Searobins have a voracious appetite feeding on shrimps, crabs, squids, shell fish and small fish. This unusual looking fish is usually caught while bottom fishing for sportfish and sometimes caught while trolling near mackerel schools. Mackerel are their favorite food fish, so the next time you are fishing with mackerel bait you might hook up a tasty searobin.

Eat Searobin?

Searobins are very good to eat and easy to fillet. We would prefer you release the searobin in Florida as they are rare to catch.

 

Destin, Florida Searobin caught April 2016