Snakehead Whisperer

No prob. Welcome to the site.

The line sure helps. Last fall I caught a 10lber on my 9' ultra light crappie rig with 2lb. mono. The fight was epic, but I eventually boated the fish.

Thanks. I too have a great deal of respect for these fish and I too have mixed feelings about killing them. I carry a sharp machete on my boat and sever the spine in one good whack. I don't want the fish to suffer, and I make sure that the meat is consumed if I kill the fish (snakehead jaw is good stuff too, don't overlook this cut.) I'd be a liar if I said that I hadn't C&R'd snakehead. And for those who have any questions as to the legality of this, please see this page VA Snakehead Info. When fishing in Maryland waters I always dispatch the fish in accordance with the law (and I usually do in VA too, but there's only so much space in my freezer ) It's illegal to possess a live snakehead no matter what state you are in so I would advise either dispatching/releasing the fish immediately if fishing in VA or the district, or promptly dispatching the fish in MD (they will cite for this and the fines are hefty.) Of course, I would always advise for people to read the regulations themselves and not take my word for it.

Before northern snakeheads were in the river 5lb. lmb were a rarity. They're pretty common nowadays, but like I said water quality and other factors are also relevant. One sure thing is that the snakeheads have not had the devastating impact that was dreadfully feared 10 years ago. But like Delfi said the snakeheads still need to be studied more extensively for a conclusive answer, and they are still relatively new here. The northern snakeheads in the Potomac are already diverging from the predictable behavior and migration that they exhibit in their native Amur river drainage, so it's still hard to say where it will all lead.

Ok, fair enough. I do realize that there are some bowfin in the Potomac river. The point that I was trying to make is that the likelihood of catching a snakehead is far greater than the likelihood of catching a bowfin in the tidal Potomac. The bowfin population in the Potomac is marginal at best, and the chance of catching one is very slim. As for bowfishing for snakehead... the guys who do it fair much better than rod and reel anglers as far as numbers, and also as far as size so far.

The Potomac river doesn't have a bowfin population (not sure about the canals in Florida or the area of PA where the OP says they were found.)

Couldn't have said it any better myself, especially the part highlighted in red.

Nice fish. I like the bowfin, but I also really love to fish for snakehead. No argument here that snakehead are one of the most fun freshwater fish to bend a rod. I was only curious, as I seem to get a feeling that a lot of people view the bowfin (and gar for that matter) as "trash fish" with no sport or food value. I don't even like the term trash fish, it's just an observation. It just surprises me that more folks don't target them specifically.

It never ceases to amaze me how few people target and go after bowfin (mudfish, etc.) They are very similar to snakehead in many ways, including their brute strength and good fighting abilities (as well being obligate air breathers, parental care for their young, and striking moving targets with reckless abandon.) They're plentiful in NC, and Greensboro is right in the heart of big bowfin country... have you no interest in catching them? Just curious. I think they provide the same quality fishery as snakehead. I wish we had bowfin up here, but they are extremely scarce in these parts. Closest good bowfin fishing to me is the Rappahannock River which is a 90 minute drive from home. I'll still make the drive at least once this year to get at some bowfin.

Check out tackleunderground.com. Everything you need to get started will be in the 'Wire Baits' section of the forum. (Please read what's already there. e.g. Don't just join the site and post a thread with a generic question like this one. Use the search feature and read.) If you're seriously going to make your own spinnerbaits, it is going to require forming wire and melting/pouring molten lead. If you are trying to make inline spinners or the like you don't need the lead molding stuff, but you'll still need a wire former or a good set of pliers and a strong steady hand (and lots of patience.)

You mean junk fishing? I tend to think of myself as versatile, but more so in an experimental way. I'll try any lure/technique, and I'll try work it until my hands are sore... but if it doesn't produce I shelf it. I'll eventually try it again, but usually not until I'm facing a skunk day on the water or if I'm fishing with a person who excels at the technique who can school me (wild card: there are also textbook examples of times when certain baits excel above others. I never caught a fish on a wakebait until I learned to fish one in late spring, for instance.) There is a time and place for everything, and I've seen good fish caught on some unlikely rigs. With that said, I think versatility is crucial to being a well rounded angler. There are some times that fish will only go for certain presentations, and if an angler doesn't have it in their bag of tricks then they are not catching fish. On the other side of the same token, I think it's crucial to have a solid crankbait game (or jigs, or dropshot, etc., etc.) These techniques require a good deal of practice and dedication that is somewhat specialized. Balance is the key.

Not really. Snakeheads are tough, but not that tough If you meant to go fight snakeheads fishing with some Marines, then yes.

I'm not entirely sure. I keep in touch with those guys from time to time and I did give them the photo to do with as they wish, but they chose to use it without my knowing. I take my snakehead fishing pretty seriously, but then again I'm not a fanatic like some of these guys out here (have other fish to stalk, like smallies.) It wasn't until a friend emailed me the link that I saw it The wifey thinks it's funny too and says that I'm the ambassador/poster child for snakehead fishing in Maryland. Too funny.

This article covers it in some detail, but not a complete study by any means. *PDF file* Living Together: Largemouth Bass and Northern Snakehead

I've heard that the area around the water treatment plant in Philly on the Delaware river is a good spot. There have been several confirmed catches in this area in the last year (not bowfin.)

Releasing snakeheads is legal AFAIK in Virginia only (and possibly DC.) In Maryland you must dispatch the fish immediately, however. Transporting live snakeheads over state lines is a violation of federal law. This includes fish caught and kept in a livewell or bait bucket. @BassguyTom... What are you waiting for? Go get 'em

I'm assuming that they're northern snakehead (channa argus) if in PA. Snakehead and bass can coexist with little negative impact on either species. They both eat each others young, and have similar diets as adults. It's not good that the snakeheads are proliferating like they are, but much of the media hype is just that (hype.) They are only fish and far less destructive than grass carp, for instance. They make great table fare too. Here on the Potomac we are more negatively impacted by the presence of the blue and flathead catfish than we are the snakehead. There are numerous factors that come into play (like water quality, etc.) but the bass fishing has been better here on the Potomac than it has in many years... and this is after the introduction of the northern snakehead. Bottom line is that it would be better if they weren't here, but they are. The fish have found an ecological niche and they have filled it without destroying everything (or eating anybody's babies for that matter )

I saw the thumbnail for this video on youtube and it looked like he was using light wire hooks... I was wrong.

I use 8lb. co-poly for for most applications.

This one is a bit more brutal.

What these guys said... and they're a bit harder to put on a bait too.

Never used it before, so I don't know (usually use red label Seaguar.) I've heard many times though that it's called Vanish because the fish just seem to Vanish once they're hooked I assume folks are talking about breakage or knot strength. I'd try it if it were me. Maybe test the breakage and knot with a scale if you have one handy, so you can set your drag accordingly.

Way to go. I bet those sunnies fight like a tarpon on that setup he has (especially when you're 5.)

Right now is trophy snakehead season if you can find them. The big mamas are out there and feeding as I type this, in slightly deeper water than their summer haunts.

Welcome to the site man. Not sure about locations in SC, but the articles/posts on this site will help arm you with the knowledge to find them.