RatFish? anyone heard of this?

Tower Todd posted this on Bloody Decks and thought I would pass it along to this forum.  I have never heard of such a thing existing in the Puget Sound.  After reading about it and looking at pics I kinda want to catch one!
Pacific NW | Rise of the Ratfish in Puget Sound | Seattle Times Newspaper

Tower Todd posted this on Bloody Decks and thought I would pass it along to this forum.  I have never heard of such a thing existing in the Puget Sound.  After reading about it and looking at pics I kinda want to catch one!
Pacific NW | Rise of the Ratfish in Puget Sound | Seattle Times Newspaper

I've seen a few diving up there, but never caught one. They're ugly as hell!

Actually have had clients catch a few up here outside of Ketchikan.  Hooked in the lip and all.  They are actually amazing to look at.

There's a lot of them in Puget Sound.  Used to catch them all the time.

Here's a trick or you ... their livers make a great lubricating oil.

-Allen

We used to catch a few a year off the rock pile in Newport when Hali fishing.  Very cool looking fish.  Their eyes have an awesome sheen of green you have to see up close and personal to really appreciate.  

They're pretty rare down here now but that may have to do with the fact you can't fish the rock pile any more too.

Caught one in Puget Sound somewhere around SeaTac while crabbing.  Actually pulled it up in the crab rings, about 2-3' long if I remember right.  Super cool looking fish.

Ray Troll's artwork rules! I saw a book of his work in the library. I highly recommend that you all check his stuff out, if you haven't already. It'll get you hooked on fish art.

I just have to see that painting, "Ratfish Waiting Patiently for Seattle to Go Away!"

Those ratfish may be ugly, but they're interesting to catch, at least once. Once was enuff for me! I caught one while jigging off the W side of Bainbridge Island when I lived there in the early 1980's. "Go back down to from where you came!" I muttered as I released it!