Saltwater · Year-round; spring to autumn best from piers and party boats

Longhorn Sculpin

Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus

The ever-present bycatch of New England bottom fishing, instantly known by the very long spine on each cheek. Handle carefully — the head spines are sharp and the skin is rough — and most anglers release it unharmed. It grunts and vibrates when held, and pads the catch on slow days.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Longhorn Sculpin — Photo: David Starr Jordan, Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Very long, sharp spine on each cheek — the key mark, reaching back past the gill cover
Bony, spine-covered head with fleshy tabs but no heavy fleshy lobes
Mottled brown or green-brown body with darker saddles
Large, fan-like pectoral fins and rough, scaleless skin
Several shorter spines along the top and sides of the head

Habits

Sits motionless on rock and reef, relying on camouflage and spines
Feeds on shrimp, crabs, worms and small fish that stray close
Makes a grunting, vibrating sound when lifted or held
Present year-round inshore, moving slightly deeper in winter
Spawns in late autumn and winter, guarding eggs among rocks

Distribution

Portland, ME · Maine★ Primary

Boston, MA · New England★ Primary

New York, NY · New YorkCommon

Where to find them

New England pier pilings and rock jetties
Maine rocky ledges on party-boat groundfish trips
New York harbour rocks and reef edges

Where they live

Rocky bottom and ledges inshorePier pilings, jetties and harbour structureReef and wreck edges on groundfish grounds

How to catch them

Small baited bottom hooks (constant bycatch) Boat

Rig: Any small baited bottom hook — size 2-1/0 with clam or shrimp — from piers and party boats

Bait/lure: Clam or shrimp pieces

Key tip: You will catch them whether you target them or not — unhook with pliers, watch the cheek spines, and release.

Shore fishing over rocks Shore

Rig: Light bottom rig with shrimp or clam pieces cast to rock and jetty edges from shore

Bait/lure: Shrimp or clam pieces

Key tip: Fish close to the rocks where sculpins sit — expect snags, and bring spare rigs.

Best baits & lures

Clam piecesShrimp piecesSquid or seaworm chunks

Techniques for Longhorn Sculpin →

Baseline setup

Rod: Light to medium 6-7 ft spinning or boat rod
Line: 12-25 lb mono or braid
Terminal: Bottom rigs, size 2-1/0 hooks, sinkers to suit the depth

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

7'6" medium-heavy jigging rod

≈ US$110-170

Works 2-6 oz jigs over rock and reef and still has the backbone to lift a halibut off the bottom.

Line · Budget

50 lb braid with 40 lb leader (200 yd)

≈ US$25-40

Thin braid cuts the current so jigs stay vertical; the leader shrugs off rock and teeth.

Terminal · Budget

Leadhead jigs, swimbaits and two-hook bottom rigs

≈ US$25-40

A leadhead with a swimbait tail is the universal bottom-fish catcher, from rockfish to cod to flounder.

Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.

Typical size

Common 8-12 in (20-30 cm); large fish to about 18 in (46 cm)

On the table

Poor — rarely eaten despite white flesh; almost always released, and the spines make cleaning awkward.

Similar species

Sea RavenSea raven is covered in heavy fleshy lobes, runs red to orange and inflates like a balloon; longhorn sculpin is plainer and browner with one very long cheek spine per side

Shorthorn SculpinShorthorn sculpin has a short cheek spine that barely reaches the gill cover and a stockier body; longhorn sculpin's cheek spine is strikingly long

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

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