dave Posted November 1, 2013 Posted November 1, 2013 There is a biologist on the Virginia side that says when doing shock surveys, typically no snakeheads are shocked up in October. Quote
Snakehead Whisperer Posted November 1, 2013 Posted November 1, 2013 There is a biologist on the Virginia side that says when doing shock surveys, typically no snakeheads are shocked up in October. Last year I caught several in November, and if you can remember it was quite a bit colder than this year. Most were caught in less than 2 feet of water in areas of concentrated tidal current (small inlets, etc.) I was fishing for stripers. I also caught one last year in late October in deeper water while crappie fishing. The fish was 8lbs. and I caught it on an 8' UL-XF rod spooled with 2lb. test. The fight was epic. 1 Quote
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only Posted November 3, 2013 Author Posted November 3, 2013 Just remember this, snakeheads are predators fish of the river just like most other game fish. Find the baitfish and find the snakeheads. Once the water gets in the mid to lower forties I start looking for the warmest water I can find. Usually there will be big concentrations of other fish and the snakeheads are soon to follow. I must admit though I do more deer hunting than snakehead hunting in late fall and winter. Jay Quote
john81 Posted November 21, 2013 Posted November 21, 2013 This thread has a great amount of info thats useful, i cant wait to try for snakeheads this spring! Quote
Stlbob Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 I dont think we have them this far south.Have not heard of any. Correct me if im wrong arent this species invasive and wreck the eco system anywhere they are..?? Quote
Snakehead Whisperer Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 I dont think we have them this far south.Have not heard of any. Correct me if im wrong arent this species invasive and wreck the eco system anywhere they are..?? None in MO, as far I know. The threat of snakeheads was largely blown out of proportion by the media. The species found here in the tidal Potomac is the northern snakehead, and yes, it is considered invasive. The northern snakeheads are reproducing efficiently and found in almost all portions of the tidal Potomac river (none have yet been captured in the free flowing portions of the river above Great Falls, although there was a false report of one a few years back.) With this said, there is very little evidence to suggest that they are a threat to native species or to introduced species (such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, etc.) Most fisheries biologists around here are more concerned with the blue catfish than the northern snakehead, as far as threats to the balance of the ecosystem are concerned. Bass year classes have been strong since the introduction of the snakehead, and bass fishing continues to be great out here (with the chance of nailing a big snakehead to boot.) In fact, the world record northern snakehead was caught right here last year, beating a long standing Japanese record. The fish is also an introduced species in Japan, though the introduction was intentional. There is really nothing that can be done at this point to eradicate the northern snakehead from the Potomac river, as they are already present in great numbers and have proven to be well suited to survival in this river. At this point most efforts are focused on preventing the proliferation of snakeheads to nearby watersheds, which is also probably futile as snakeheads in general are well adapted to this. As of late there are several confirmed catches on Maryland's Eastern Shore (Wicomico River) and in the tidal Delaware River as far up as Philadelphia. 1 Quote
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only Posted February 8, 2014 Author Posted February 8, 2014 I dont think we have them this far south.Have not heard of any. Correct me if im wrong arent this species invasive and wreck the eco system anywhere they are..?? To keep it short and sweet, only time will tell. There are different types of snakeheads all over the USA. They taste great and are fun to catch. Some people are very ignorant and may try transpanting them near you. After all that's how they got here. J- Quote
dave Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Bow fisherman are putting a hurting on them as well. We'd like to see some limits placed on them. They are shooting them at night and selling through the back door. Charles County, MD is holding a contest to rename them. One of the favorites is Potomac Pike. I guess it is a first step in recognizing that it is here to stay and let's start treating them as game fish. We have a customer that caught a confirmed 22# fish last year out of a kayak, the fish was 37" long. Quote
john81 Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Bow fisherman are putting a hurting on them as well. We'd like to see some limits placed on them. They are shooting them at night and selling through the back door. Charles County, MD is holding a contest to rename them. One of the favorites is Potomac Pike. I guess it is a first step in recognizing that it is here to stay and let's start treating them as game fish. We have a customer that caught a confirmed 22# fish last year out of a kayak, the fish was 37" long. isnt the world record only like 17lbs and was caught in va? Quote
dave Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Officially yes. This fish was weighed, photographed and released. Quote
Snakehead Whisperer Posted February 12, 2014 Posted February 12, 2014 Officially yes. This fish was weighed, photographed and released. Pics, or it didn't happen But seriously, I've caught them up to 16lbs. and have seen some that were far larger. I believe that 22#ers are probably lurking in the Potomac. The fish in my avatar is 11-12lbs. at best. I'm a firm believer in treating snakeheads humanely (even if dispatching them,) btw. They never asked to be put here. isnt the world record only like 17lbs and was caught in va? Yes, and this is why I want to call BS on this story. I release almost all of the snakeheads I catch nowadays (when fishing in VA/DC waters, that is, it is required by law to dispatch them in MD.) But if I caught a 22lb. snakehead I would be calling the IGFA immediately and getting the fish weighed on a certified scale, regardless of where I caught it. Quote
dave Posted February 12, 2014 Posted February 12, 2014 Pics, or it didn't happen But seriously, I've caught them up to 16lbs. and have seen some that were far larger. I believe that 22#ers are probably lurking in the Potomac. The fish in my avatar is 11-12lbs. at best. I'm a firm believer in treating snakeheads humanely (even if dispatching them,) btw. They never asked to be put here. Yes, and this is why I want to call BS on this story. I release almost all of the snakeheads I catch nowadays (when fishing in VA/DC waters, that is, it is required by law to dispatch them in MD.) But if I caught a 22lb. snakehead I would be calling the IGFA immediately and getting the fish weighed on a certified scale, regardless of where I caught it. I am looking for a digital image now. The person that caught, it caught it from a Kayak. He is the son of a writer named Joe Bruce. The are snakehead addicts. They've kept and eaten a number of times. They are not interested in records, only promoting the gaming nature of this fish. Quote
Snakehead Whisperer Posted February 12, 2014 Posted February 12, 2014 I am looking for a digital image now. The person that caught, it caught it from a Kayak. He is the son of a writer named Joe Bruce. The are snakehead addicts. They've kept and eaten a number of times. They are not interested in records, only promoting the gaming nature of this fish. That reminds me, I've been meaning to check out his book on snakehead fishing. Quote
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only Posted February 13, 2014 Author Posted February 13, 2014 I had one shake my jig once that I know weighed over 20lbs. The record will be broke, rebroke and then broke again. Mark my words! Anyone that fishes for them knows this to be true. I would have to agree with snakeheadwhisperer though, I know if I catch and weigh one over 17lbs I will for sure make a call or two or 40. Jay Quote
Stlbob Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 I have to ask is the only reason Snakeheads arent down here is because of the cold winters.like this am it was flippin 4 degrees out. Quote
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only Posted March 4, 2014 Author Posted March 4, 2014 I have to ask is the only reason Snakeheads arent down here is because of the cold winters.like this am it was flippin 4 degrees out. Cold weather doesn't seem to effect them at all. They adjust but keep this in mind they are called northern snakeheads and are even found in Russia where it gets very cold. The temp here is about 5 degrees tight now. If they they are not there yet it's because no one has introduced them there yet be glad. If they ever get there they will thrive like they do everywhere they have been introduced. J- Quote
D805 Posted March 26, 2014 Posted March 26, 2014 A lot of great info. Looking on catching my first snakehead this year. Can't wait. Quote
Traveler2586 Posted March 26, 2014 Posted March 26, 2014 Here's some breaking news - - - - - The Charles County Government has just changed the name of the Snakehead in order to make it more appealing to people as a food fish - -- - - - - "Thanks to my colleagues, county staff and the hundreds who participated in making this contest a great success. The winning entry comes from Gilbert C., who heard about it on WTOP Radio. The winning name is…Spotted Channa! Channa is a genus of the Channidae family of snakehead fish. The winners will be honored at a Spotted Channa Tournament that will be held later this Spring on the Mattawoman Creek at Smallwood State Park in Marbury." Don't believe the name will ever catch on though it will confuse a few people for a while.... Quote
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only Posted March 26, 2014 Author Posted March 26, 2014 Here's some breaking news - - - - - The Charles County Government has just changed the name of the Snakehead in order to make it more appealing to people as a food fish - -- - - - - "Thanks to my colleagues, county staff and the hundreds who participated in making this contest a great success. The winning entry comes from Gilbert C., who heard about it on WTOP Radio. The winning name is…Spotted Channa! Channa is a genus of the Channidae family of snakehead fish. The winners will be honored at a Spotted Channa Tournament that will be held later this Spring on the Mattawoman Creek at Smallwood State Park in Marbury." Don't believe the name will ever catch on though it will confuse a few people for a while.... I have heard them called a lot of things spotted channa is a first though. I am with you traveler I dont think it will catch on either. I don’t think people around where I live have any issues eating them they are tasty. I actually catch them on my lunch break (none this year so far) and give them away. It started with one or two people taking them from me. Now there is a waiting list LOL. I have shown a lot of people that work with me how to catch them for their selves. Thanks for the update Traveler stay safe and tightlines. J Quote
Greeneye8181 Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 Here's some breaking news - - - - - The Charles County Government has just changed the name of the Snakehead in order to make it more appealing to people as a food fish - -- - - - - "Thanks to my colleagues, county staff and the hundreds who participated in making this contest a great success. The winning entry comes from Gilbert C., who heard about it on WTOP Radio. The winning name is…Spotted Channa! Channa is a genus of the Channidae family of snakehead fish. The winners will be honored at a Spotted Channa Tournament that will be held later this Spring on the Mattawoman Creek at Smallwood State Park in Marbury." Don't believe the name will ever catch on though it will confuse a few people for a while.... Man that Gilbert C. is one smart fellow. Wonder who he could be... Could be on this forum, ya never know... 1 Quote
Traveler2586 Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 Man that Gilbert C. is one smart fellow. Wonder who he could be... Could be on this forum, ya never know... Never met the gentleman, but he can fish on my boat any day. Quote
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only Posted March 31, 2014 Author Posted March 31, 2014 He may be a great guy and all but still don't believe his name for snakeheads will ever catch on. Lol J- Quote
DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only Posted April 1, 2014 Author Posted April 1, 2014 You mean Spotted Channa? lol Yeah something like that.... J Quote
MDBowHunter Posted April 1, 2014 Posted April 1, 2014 Spotted Channa, thats stupid. Why not just leave well enough alone. But it was a government official that thought of this so I guess that explains it... 1 Quote
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