Fish/Bait ID

b1gdog83

 I was trying to catch goggs/pilchards by Deerfield Pier and these guys were everywhere. They have been here for the past couple months. I’ve been fishing these waters for the past 25 years and have never see full grown schools of these guys. I’ve always caught the smaller ones here and there but never see schools like we have now. The big pilchards are gone and it’s like these guys took their place. 

I’ve never had any luck using them as bait and they have 2 spines on their bellies that are poisonous and make your hand numb if stuck by them. I’m curious to know if anyone has caught anything using them as bait?

demersalangeler

 The occasional snook. On them dead & smashed. I dont use them often because they tend to be unproductive in my experience. Never tried them offshore live or dead. 

Aquaholic IV

They are called "horn bellies".  I personally have never caught anything on them, but heard that Snook do eat them.  Not my choice of bait.

waldnerr

They're Atlantic bumper, Chloroscombrus chrysurus.

gmcc

I throw them back. Not good bait

InstaGator

We caught them all the time on the gulf coast way back when. We called them pumpkin seeds and your right they are no good for bait and the 2 belly spines hurt like hell

MaineOffShore

I am on rhe West Coast and catch these alot under schools of threadfins.  O was also wondering what they were..Slow trolling and drifting I pick up Kings and Spanish w them