You’re right, firm would be the preference! lol….We call it a hard head but its an atlantic croaker. They are great to pan fry and for a small fish, they are extremely stubborn and fight like crazy, thus the nickname hard head.
http://www.bayhogcharters.com/chesapeake-bay-fish.html
And I will gladly handle your bait just the way you need it and I may even swallow it hook, line, and sinkers!