My friend caught this while fishing, not sure what it is

Renegade Aquatics

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jun 24, 2016
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Everett, WA
So one of my friends went fishing down in Flordia (Sanibel Island) and caught this guy while fishing on the shore

I told him it might be a surf perch of some kind, but I'm too sure. Does anybody know what this is?
I have this thread set up in the Fishing forum as well but I was told I would have better luck here.
 
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