Hound Needlefish

Averages a yard in length and can top 5 feet. World record pounds, 11 ounces.

Giant Needlefish, Guardfish, Agujon

Common in the open seas, from reefs to blue water. Also found inshore, usually in areas of clear water and over deeper patches and grass beds. A pelagic species found over lagoon and seaward reefs. Solitary or in small groups. Feeds on fishes. Oviparous. Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface. Feared by fishers because they can cause puncture wounds with their sharp snouts when jumping out of the water, e.g. when alarmed or attracted to lights at night. Although sold fresh and considered a good food fish, its market is limited due to the green-colored flesh. Widespread in tropical Indo-Pacific, divisible in two subspecies

Recognizable by the bars on its side near the tail, as well as by its bulk, compared to other Needlefishes. It poses more of a threat while jumping than while being handled. If one jumps close to the boat-duck. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-23; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18 - 22; Vertebrae: 80 - 86. Diagnosis: body elongate; upper and lower jaws extremely long, forming a stout beak armed with very sharp teeth; gill rakers absent. Nostrils in depression before eyes (nasal pit); pelvic fins abdominal; 21-23 dorsal-fin rays; anal fin long, 5.5-8.0 times in body length; small, black lateral keel on either sides of caudal peduncle; caudal fin deeply forked

Summary of Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and South Africa and Persian Gulf to French Polynesia, north to Japan, south to New South Wales, Australia. Replaced by Tylosurus crocodilus fodiator in the eastern Pacific. Western Atlantic: New Jersey, USA to Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Fernando Poo, Cameroon, Liberia, and Ascension Island; from Senegal and Guinea; and Cape Verde. Recorded from the Mediterranean Sea
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

If targeting Houndfish, choose light spinning gear with small live baitfish or strip baits. A good fish for the fly rodder, too. Most catches, though, come incidentally to trolling.