Mhan7

Here in Florida, it's a whole different ballgame. There's A LOT of FWC (Florida Wildlife Commission) officers. And they are always where they're needed. It's not uncanny. They're mobilized. Like a little army. There are some places where I have fished, that I've literally been asked for my license, every single time that I've been there. Usually by a plain clothes officer. That being said, I'm just not sure why anyone in this day and age is still required to carry a physical copy of their license. I mean... You're already on file. You know d**n well they run a check on your license, to make sure that it's real. So what's the point? You are engaging in activities in, on, or next to, water, for God's sake. And it's a piece of paper. And the paper that they give us, even if it never sees the sun, seems to fade into unintelligible oblivion, before it's even expired. You live in Boca, and consider that expensive? Maybe I have my stereotypes all wrong... That is what I call seriously cheap entertainment. It's definitely cheaper than putting tags on a second car or motorcycle.

Man, I gotta come up there and fish for the Northerns. . If there's one thing that I've learned, is that when you go snakehead fishing, if you don't know their times and patterns, there's no substitute for putting in a full day on the water. I've yet to ever get skunked, even down here - even though some days are harder than others - but you gotta cover a lot of ground, and fish as much area as possible. When you run out of ground, turn back, and cover the previous ground, from the opposite direction. . If anyone of you fellas is in good shape - can cover 10+ miles in an 8-12 hour window, and want to do some fishing up North, PM me. I need to find someone who knows the access points. Doesn't have to be private property, just someplace that I can cover a lot of ground.

If you really want to catch snakehead, you either gotta know when they're biting - because you're good at catching them - or you need to spend the whole day fishing them. Seriously, they are on and off all day long. . Thanks for that presentation. Not only was it scientifically valuable, but it was really good info.

I will keep one a month, on average. Yeah, they're totally delicious. . Honestly, I hardly ever find anything in their stomachs. The last time we caught one, the only thing in the stomach was a 4/0 offset worm hook, with a 6" strand of braided fishing line attached. . Contrary to what I always read about them "decimating" the other wildlife, my experience has been that they really only seem to actively hunt and eat when they're hungry. I've yet to find one that's gorged. They will guard their domain quite ferociously, but eating seems to be another thing. Granted, I've only caught a few hundred of them, at this point, and only kept a couple dozen. But still...

One of the biggest reasons that I don't post up pics, is because I don't want to be recognized and ran out. Or reported to LE. I'm still finding my way, and like I said, a few good folks help me out. Maybe I'll find a way. In urban camo. LOL . Mind you, it's not because I'm necessarily doing something wrong - but I don't know all the rules everywhere, and some of these people are really nasty. They'll force the issue to the point that LE will tell you just to leave.

Yes sir. 1-3 times per month we go. Western Coral Springs is definitely hot. But so is Sunrise, Margate and Tamarac. Although I find Margate to be... troublesome. Alot of the canals are limited access, as people there don't seem to have easements on their property, and tend to build right down to the edge of the canal. And then, they complain about people trying to fish. That area is pretty much the reason that I started this topic. . Although since then, I've gotten to know a few local people who live in apartment complexes, who will vouch for us when we fish. That's really helpful. It seems that there are alot of people - not just fishermen - who don't appreciate the "condo commando" type. . I hear this dirty rumour ( )that some of the best snakehead to be found, are in golf courses. And I've also heard that it's really easy to get at them when it's raining. And snakehead don't really care about rain, like some other fish. I was fishing last week on Sunday, when the weather was rain and crap all day. Brought home 2 big fellas, released a few more, and missed a good plenty.

Yes, I reiterate, lest I be misunderstood - those reports of the Notherns are totally unconfirmed. Bt I agree on the other points. This is an amazing state, in which to be a fisherman. Whether you like salt or freshwater.

I saw an obscure news story somewhere. Sorry, I didn't save it. It talked about the Northerns being found in Mississippi, and Alabama, and mentioned the (2, I believe) unconfirmed reports in Florida. I can't hear all of this ranting and raving about exotic "invasions". Ecosystems on earth have changed many times, and something viable always emerges. When a species is established, we're well past the point of resetting nature, by killing one fish at a time. Florida has the most diverse freshwater fisheries in North America, and it's thriving. I won't cry if they show up.

That's a hog, dude. I'm jealous.

Didn't get an exact weight on it, but it was ~10lbs. This time of year is when all of the biggies start coming out to mate and protect their horde. My boy caught 2 in one day that were on the margin of 10lbs. (we need to get a better scale - all we have is the old Zebco mechanical spring scale - which read 10lbs) Anyway, he plopped a hollow bodied frog right on top of it, and when he set the hook, it went aerial, and put itself right on the bank in front of him. . To be honest, I misunderstood your post, because I thought that other fella was asking about fishing down here. I still like discussing the crossover, because my son and I are planning a trip up north one day, and it'll be interesting to see if we catch them the same way here and there. I also hear rumours that the Northerns may soon - if not already be - in our state waters. Seems they are all over the South, and a couple unconfirmed reports in state.

OK, not having an internet argument. I fish them "down here". I don't outfish based on hooksets. I rarely ever use frogs. Only in heavy vegetation where nothing else really works. I definitely know what works in Broward county. I know that most people only use frogs. All good, it works. I just have my preference, and it works better for ME. . We have a kit of dedicated bullseye snakehead gear. I wasn't trying to start a fight - I was simply trying to help out the guy you replied to, because my experience is very much different than yours. In truth, these fish aren't hard to catch at at all. (and there are multiple strategies) . Again, not having any debates on this. This is my sole freshwater target, and my skill in fishing them is picking up quite considerably.

I am not so sure about this. I outfish my kid about 10 to 1. He's a die hard frogger, and I prefer chatterbait or spinnerbait. However, it's situational. Depends on where you are, what time of year, fishing style. . He's the sight fisher, I'm more of a fish hunter. I fish with my instincts, he fishes with his eyes. Once you manage to spot them, they'll take pretty much anything you put in front of their face - especially if you can accurately drop it right on them. And I say situational, because sometimes they're feeding, and even more often, they're defending their fry. . My kid uses a 7' medium heavy with a 2000 size spinning reel, spooled with 20lb braind, tipped with fluoro leader. I use a 7'4" heavy rod, 200 size baitcaster with 25lbs of drag, and spooled with 50lb braid, topped with a "bangkok hooker". . They will certainly bend up some hooks. This is the one area those frogs certainly shine. The frog specific double hooks really hold up well, as they're much more structural than a single hook. De-hooking can be a nightmare, but I guess that's part of the game.

I don't fish frogs very often. I much prefer large spinnerbaits with a trailer hook. On the trailer hook, I usually equip a crappie jig. I've never to date caught a snakehead on the trailer hook, but I like knowing that it's there. Plus, it makes the presentation a bit larger. I'm a supreme believer in "bigger baits = bigger fish". On that note, I caught my first snakehead of 10lbs on the last trip out. Next time out, we're going to start foraying into soft (not hollow) bodied frogs. We had a tremendous amount of success in the cooler months when we weren't supposed to do very well. (by the advice we were given) I think that the frog is the natural bait in warmer months. But we'll see. Going to keep using what we know, as well. If anyone thinks that you can set the hook too hard on a snakehead, that's just not right. Like you, I tend to drop the rod tip, let them take the slack out, before highsticking them with the executioner's wrath. For that reason, I fish with a heavy action rod, and 50lb braid. My terminal connection is a bangkok hooker. I like being able to quickly change out lures without tying new knots. Color... Ok, I'm going to say something a bit controversial here, but I've never been a big believer in color making much difference. And with snakehead, it makes zero difference. They just don't care. I can fish with white, next to my kid who is fishing black. We can switch to red or yellow, and they just bite. Or they don't. If anyone wants to target snakehead, don't waste your time thinking about color. When in doubt, always black, though. I've had a lot of problems with snakeheads absolutely destroying lures. Usually, it tends to happen the worst when you lose control of them after landing. They can death spin like a crocodile. The boga grip is definitely a good call. You just have to be careful in handling, and pay attention, so they don't torque your wrist. Especially the big ones. Finally... I've actually gone to debarbing my hooks, because the SH has such a hard, bony head, it can be ridiculously difficult trying to dehook them, and even more so, to do it without bending the hook in the process. We have taken to just folding the barb with a pair of pliers. (which tends to break them off, most of the time) I'm a bit happier with this, and haven't lost any fish yet. I'm used to fishing saltwater, so "constant pressure" is almost our mantra. Once on the bank, I usually couldn't care if they fall right off.

I wanted a second rod, but one that was a dedicated frog rod. So, I just bought a Cashion Elite Frog Casting, in Heavy action. It's pretty long at 7'6". But they have a flipping rod that looks tempting, also, for a shorter frogging rod. Either way, I like micro-guides so much on a casting rod, that I don't think I'll ever buy or build anything else. again. I've been so pleased with my Smoke Quantum S3, that I'm going to pair this rod with a second one, on 50lb braid.

I think this type of lure is fast becoming the choice. I'm gonna give one a try. Thanks for that.

Function wise yes, they're fine. I have a bunch of them, but they aren't durable. In the long run, it's cheaper to buy quality lures for bruiser fish. If you are just catching 2-3lb of soft fighting fish - like LMB or SMB - they're probably perfect.

I don't doubt that both fish would hit a spinnerbait... But anything more than a very small juvenile tarpon would straighten out a normal spinnerbait on the first hookup. Get 20lbs or more on one, and it's game over for StrikeKing, before it even starts. As for the WalMart bargain... I have a bunch of them. They must be treated as disposable, because they don't hold up to multiple catches. That gets more expensive than buying even pricy ones.

Understood. I usually throw a 1/2oz, just to get a beefier lure. There is no way in the world that a smaller "normal" spinner will hold up to the wear and tear of a snakehead. but a smaller lure with a beefier backbone would be the ticket.

Those look really nice, except for the weight... They seem to run 3/4-1oz. But, it's a good start. Maybe I can find similar products from the same company, in the range that I'm looking for. Thanks for that.

I've become quite fond of fishing spinnerbaits for snakeheads, but they are total destruction on the normal variety. At best, it's re-bending every time. At worst, over time, they weaken the wire, and have even had one snap off at the lead cast. . Does anyone know of a "heavy duty" spinner, that still maintains good action? Even if I have to buy just the jig head/wire lead, that's OK. But I need something better than what's ordinarily sold. . Thanks in advance

I recently read that there was a confirmed snakehead catch in Palm Beach county. I'm really hoping that's true, because it would take almost an hour off of my travel time.

I usually go to Holiday park (Davie) to catch Oscars and Red Devils. I'm not certain that snakeheads have made it either that far south, or to the west of the big ditch yet. I'm very familiar with the C-14 and Cypress Creek Greenway. We usually park at Veteran's Park in Tamarac, and work East. However, that body of water is a bit too large, is too highly pressured, and sees way too much boat traffic. (particularly the morons that launch PWCs and blast down the canal at wide open throttle) I know the C-14 is supposed to be ground central, but we haven't really found it to be any better than... some of the locations that we're not supposed to be in. If I'm fishing a wide canal, I'd much rather be at Markham Park, to be honest. Honestly, at this time, I don't want to catch anything at all, except for snakeheads. They are without question, my favorite freshwater species. We have to drive 2.5 hours to fish snakehead, and we pack as minimal as possible. We take only our proven snakehead tackle. Anyway, I made that trip down last Saturday. It was a particularly awful day. The bite was almost nonexistent. I caught one snakehead - about 5# - which is going into the fry pan tonight. If you fish 11 hours, and catch only one snakehead, it's a bad fishing day. Bad, bad, bad...

I fish all over Broward County. I don't have a boat, but I like a long casting rod, because it allows me to overcast my target area, and "walk" the line back into the sweet spot. Call it forgiveness. And honestly, I like being prepared for all scenarios. I'm able to cover both short and long casts, with ease. I frequently make casts of over 100' with 1/2 oz lures. (plus teasers) You get over setting hooks on a long cast, by having a heavy action rod. Believe me, it's no problem. The only time I've ever missed a hook set with a snakehead, is when I let my eyes do the work, instead of my hands. I saw the fish, and I set on sight, rather than by feel. Not what my brain is wired for. Also, the high drag doesn't come on a heavy reel, for me. I have about 100 yds of 50 lb braid, but that's not for pure strength. It's because it completely eliminates wind knots, while remaining uber castable. And snakeheads don't care. You could tie a lure on rope, and they'd still hit it. So why not? The additional benefit, is that if I snag a branch in the water or on the bank, I can just wrap the line around a stick, and yank it free. Snakehead fishing isn't finesse. It's like the monster truck show of the freshwater fishing world. My kid fishes a Penn Conflict II, 2000 size reel, with 20lb braid. It's a good setup, but constantly wind knotted, and he always has a sore wrist at the end of the day. (even though the reel is super light) As an engineer, I say that's all down to the placement (center of mass) of the reel. I have no such problems with the baitcaster. You're not going to catch more or less fish with either type of reel, except by what your skill level with either of them dictates. But I think that ergonomically, the baitcaster is superior, and I just prefer using them. If you're at all interested - maybe you want to go to your local BassPro, and put hands on - this is my exact gear for snakehead. I really couldn't be more pleased. https://www.duckettfishing.com/products/rods/triad/triad-casting/m.products/183/view/130 http://www.quantumfishing.com/smoke-series.html

The one I have is old, and I'm sure that it's nothing like whats available today. (mine is a pre-mag model) It's d**n hard to use... Definitely requires a skilled caster, and even more so, someone with a lot of time on this particular reel. I know I can upgrade it. I think Baitfiness has pretty well sold me on the Curado 70.

Man, that's a good one... Those little guys are pretty tough. I always seem to hook one at the opening of drainage pipes, when we fish snakeheads. - and they always seem to ambush us when the lure is right up on the bank. (less than 3 feet away from where we're standing) And it's amazing how big of a lure they'll hit. I caught one once that was about 7-8" long on a 1/2oz spinnerbait with a trailer hook and grub teaser. ?