Catnip for Splendid Toadfish...

[Mike]

Anybody seen somebody lure a toadfish out of it's hole with a 'cat toy'? One of the divers we were with waved me over as she pulled out this yarn like lure on a wire and waved it in front of the toad fish, which immediately came lunging out of it's hole exposing it's entire strange little body to view. She did it about 4-5 times and it only got funnier each time to see a toad fish go bi-polar each time.

I'd never seen this before and found it pretty hilarious. But I'm also easily amused.

 

[scubawife]

That's a popular trick with DMs on the island. Many of them carry a lure on a string in their BCD pockets and use them to try and get the toadfish to peak out of their holes.

I'm personally not too keen on the bait and switch. I dive with a camera or video almost every dive, but I would rather have the thrill of finding a photo op then have one staged. Just my opinion.

 

[firstdive2005]

I've used a bolt snap to lure them out to shoot them. They really get active on night dives. Dont want to highjack but what a blast listening for the them croaking on night dives then finding them as the croaks get louder. When you get right in front of their den and wait for the next croak it blows you away how powerful it is. And yes I've seen dms use lures also.

 

[DandyDon]

I've lured them out during the day just shining my moving dive light on the sand in front of their hole, but wonder about the "should" factor.

 

[Pelagicsal]

Anybody seen somebody lure a toadfish out of it's hole with a 'cat toy'? One of the divers we were with waved me over as she pulled out this yarn like lure on a wire and waved it in front of the toad fish, which immediately came lunging out of it's hole exposing it's entire strange little body to view. She did it about 4-5 times and it only got funnier each time to see a toad fish go bi-polar each time.

I'd never seen this before and found it pretty hilarious. But I'm also easily amused.

Hi Mike! I didn't know this was you. I was poking around the Cozumel forum, saw the thread and thought you must be talking about me and my little lure. I did see DM Javier with one first. He told me Angel had made it, so I sweet-talked him out of one for me. Works better than anything else I've seen anyone use.

I was a baby-diver in the heyday of Dee Scarr and Touch the Sea, so I am comfortable interacting gently, despite the scorn of some other folks (some of whom I am sure are the same ones who squeal about not getting to coat themselves completely with neoprene due to the glove ban).

It was a kick that it tickled you so much, and the lure is forever named Splendid Toadfish Catnip now. I'm sure the guys will get a laugh out of the new name, too!

Isn't life wonderful when you're easily amused???

Firstdive- I like when they croak, too. The best is within a foot or two of them, and it's so intense that it vibrates my sternum.

I'm missing CZM so much. Warm weather, where are you?!

Happy bubbles...
Sallye

 

[Mike]

Hi Sallye,

Yep that was you I was talking about.

I also know you mean them no harm, (what harm could be done making them swim 6 inches anyways?) I watched you righting over-turned little things on dives and waving sand off coral, so you're the last person who is 'harrasing' sea life.

Was all fun... all over too soon. Enjoy yourself.

 

[sharky60]

I've also DM's with a little compact mirror to hold in front of Jaw fish when they come out thier holes to make them display thier dorsal fins. Raul from Bottom Time Divers, then with Blue Bubble, first showed me the trick.

 

[Pelagicsal]

Hi Sallye,

Yep that was you I was talking about.

I also know you mean them no harm, (what harm could be done making them swim 6 inches anyways?) I watched you righting over-turned little things on dives and waving sand off coral, so you're the last person who is 'harrasing' sea life.

Was all fun... all over too soon. Enjoy yourself.

Thanks Mike. I appreciate that!
There are exceptions, occasionally. You didn't hear me cheering David as he nailed the lionfish? Some of the vids came out pretty well. I gave him copies of the ones I've made of him. He plays around with vid production, so I am interested to see what he does with them.

And you are on the money!! It was all over waaaaaayyy too soon - as it seems to be every time. When are you headed back?

Sharky- Pikeblennies go crazy for a mirror, too. DM and I found that out while I was gazing at one through my jewelers' loupe, and it attacked the mirror-like cover. Surprised the $*Y$@ out of both of us!

 

[fishin42]

Thanks Mike. I appreciate that!
There are exceptions, occasionally. You didn't hear me cheering David as he nailed the lionfish? Some of the vids came out pretty well. I gave him copies of the ones I've made of him. He plays around with vid production, so I am interested to see what he does with them.

And you are on the money!! It was all over waaaaaayyy too soon - as it seems to be every time. When are you headed back?

Sharky- Pikeblennies go crazy for a mirror, too. DM and I found that out while I was gazing at one through my jewelers' loupe, and it attacked the mirror-like cover. Surprised the $*Y$@ out of both of us!

I saw on the Discovery Channel, the mirror trick worked on an octopus also. It gazed at itself for a while in the mirror.

 

[Pelagicsal]

I saw on the Discovery Channel, the mirror trick worked on an octopus also. It gazed at itself for a while in the mirror.

Nice! Octopuseseses are such cool creatures anyhow. Don't know if the little cover on my loupe will be of interest, but I'm willing to try. They play a fun game of peekaboo, too...