Netted this odd-looking fish in 12 inches of water on the Gulf side of Grassy Key, just a few hundred feet from the marina near the Dolphin Research Center. None of the immediately available field guides had a picture or description of anything like it although later I found an entry in National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fishes that fit, and called a polka-dot batfish.
It used it's pelvic fins to "walk" and the gills are small round openings clearly visible just behind those same fins.
We let it loose after taking some pictures and a short video.
That was a good day, caught my first needlefish, learned how to feed pinfish.... then learned how to hook the little beggars and use them as bait! Also learned to use a steel leader after something big one-rounded the pinfish bait.
It's 45 degrees now and raining in Montreal and a looooong way to the Keys /sigh
