[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by capteddie

Spiny Cheek scorpionfish

Capt Eddie was correct

Here is the email from my uncle:
Hard to be positive with a photo (MUCH better to have fish in hand to check meristics), but looks like a scorpionfish, most likely a spinycheek scorpionfish. Most references have a maximum of 16 inches and 2 pounds for this species, but the link below is to a photo of a specimen about 18 inches from the Gulf.

http://www.fishbase.us/photos/Upload...5&win=uploaded

The distribution map at fishbase (link below) shows a lesser abundance off of SE LA than other areas of the range, but that's probably due to the lack of surveys on moderately deep hard bottoms in that area.
http://www.fishbase.us/summary/Neome...emingwayi.html