Help identify this fish

[Jaymac]

Last July I was fishing for silvers in Valdez. As reeled in the lure (a silver / orange spoon) I would get hits from about 4-5 feet from shore from very small fish, and had to reel fast to out run them.

They were a darker green on their backs, about 4-5 inches long and had HUGE mouths with small needle teeth. What are they?

Thanks

[Skookumchuck]

Sounds like sculpin to me...but a pic would help.

[homerdave]

pacific staghorn sculpin....?

did it look like these?

[Jaymac]

HomerDave

that's it. thanks

[ak_powder_monkey]

Sculpin aka
Double Ugly (in SEAK)
Irish Lord (in SCAK)

[barleydog]

MMmmmmm Sculpin!

[homerdave]

that one is a "great sculpin"

[coho slayer]

Anyone ever eat one?

I've heard in some places they are a delicacy. Like cod, we often treat them as a trash fish when they are in fact very good to eat. Never tried to confirm this myself. They are just so ugly....:eek:

[barleydog]

Tried sculpin "backstraps" once and they were good! Yeah, I admit it but it's firm and similar to cabezon or blue ling. Firm with a touch of shrimpy/crabby flavor. I have also tried dogfish, arrowtoothed flounder, and atka makerel. SOme good, some really bad!

[FishnPhil]

MMmmmmm Sculpin!

That's a monster sculpin, and a face not even his mother could love!!