Monkfish are a rare catch for recreational anglers
fishing the coastal waters of Maryland and Virginia. Most are caught
around some of the deeper local wrecks. Bait and tackle is
simple, anglers just use standard wreck fishing rigs. Large baits are
preferred as these fish have a huge appetite. A stout rod and reel
combination is preferred as these fish range from 10-30+ lbs. Monkfish
are somewhat difficult to clean but yield good tasting white meat with
few bones.
Monkfish or anglerfish have a "lure", a small appendage which they waive
above their enormous mouth to entice small fish to swim within gulping
range. While the fish will "fish" for a meal, they will eat practically
anything. Local commercial fishermen claim to have found tins of
buscuits, pieces of lumber and other foreign objects inside monkfish
stomachs.
Here along the mid-Atlantic, they are fished for commercially with nets.
The fish are beheaded before arriving at the market, to make them look
more appealing.
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