Strange Fish

Need some help identifying this little guy.Caught it fishing for sand dabs(200 ft. more or less) a year or two ago behind cannery row(around the red buoy).I thought it might be some type of juvenile eel, but not sure.

That's a sarcastic fringehead Neoclinus blanchardi.  Basically a big blenny with an enormous mouth.

Thanks for the 411 bsteves, I was stumped, any idea how large they get? Have you heard of many other catches, are they common?

They range from Baja to San Francisco Bay and are not extremely common.  You see them more scuba diving if you look in old bottles and shells where they like to hide.  I don't think they get much more than a foot or so long.

Hate to be the one to play "Junior Warden" here, but if you don't know what type of species a fish is then it's not such a great idea to keep it.

The body looks like A small Ling.

Thats a good point Rockhopper. Lord knows I dont need any type of tangles with the wardens.I think those tangles only unravel with a nice dent to the bankroll.

Nice set of teeth on that fish...
How'd it taste, by the way?

Not very tasty as I remember. I seem to recall the fish had really slimy skin. It wasn't dripping or anything, just a bit more than most fish. I think this fish looks pretty cool, I've seen some pics on line now, as well.They are described as very territorial and vicious. Thanks for the info. For over a year now I had no clue, I even asked a warden once and a few tackle shop owners(I think I showed that pic to Mark at Anglers Choice),everyone had different guesses but no answers.Appreciate it, thanks again everyone 

... I even asked a warden once and a few tackle shop owners ... 

You are brave.    

At a particular launch in Big Sur (everyone knows the one), the shoes on the other foot, where the warden asks YOU to identify the species of fish you caught.     Its a crackup.

Hate to be the one to play "Junior Warden" here, but if you don't know what type of species a fish is then it's not such a great idea to keep it.

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