They Found Snakehead

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I believe a good ol' Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is in order here gents.

 

Que?

 

How is kidnapping and taking a pee on a snakehead relevant to anything even remotely considered close to the ballpark of this thread?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I live on the upper Delaware in PA and haven't seen or heard reports of snakehead. Is it possible that bowfin are being mistaken for snakehead as they look quite similar? Bowfin are readily caught in the area here.

[flyfisher]

And for the record, Bowfin are a severely under rated fish......they are a blast to catch and fight harder than any freshwater fish i have caught so far.  They do trash baits though.

[LVLDVL]

It's a joke, guys. It's from the movie "A Time to Kill". Nevermind, you guys don't get it.

[J Francho]

Replacng the description of a raped and beaten 7 year old with a snakehead is hardly humorous, or in good taste.  Let's leave that path of discussion, now.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I too am curious as to where you guys have seen/caught snakeheads in PA.

 

If they are in any type of concentration, I'll get in the car this summer and meet you. LOL

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.)

[Snakehead Whisperer]

 If anyone knows of any data (raw or otherwise) on feeding studies of the SH that gives forage percentages by time of year, please let me know; I keep looking but have failed to find anything.

This article covers it in some detail, but not a complete study by any means.

 

*PDF file*

 

Living Together: Largemouth Bass and Northern Snakehead

[LTownFisher764]

I believe I know the lake the OP is talking about. It's a private club. It's right up the street from me. The person I know also has caught snakeheads from Manor. I haven't heard of anything being caught from Van Sciver. He does believe they are not Bowfin because of the lower fin. It was a little surprising to hear about this consider the club is private. I know the lakes aren't fenced off or anything but still.

[Traveler2586]

This article covers it in some detail, but not a complete study by any means.

 

*PDF file*

 

Living Together: Largemouth Bass and Northern Snakehead

 

Thanks Whisperer, I have that PDF; they need to preform monthly feeding studies, throughout the infected area, for a couple years to get a decent picture of the SH feeding habits.  But that takes time, resources, and money which I know the DNR is lacking.  I would gladly volunteer my time if asked, after all I not doing anything useful now, I'm retired.

 

BTW, how did you get your photo on the DNR's SH web page?  I now think of you as "Mr. Snakehead"

[flyfisher]

I believe I know the lake the OP is talking about. It's a private club. It's right up the street from me. The person I know also has caught snakeheads from Manor. I haven't heard of anything being caught from Van Sciver. He does believe they are not Bowfin because of the lower fin. It was a little surprising to hear about this consider the club is private. I know the lakes aren't fenced off or anything but still.

I used to fish there as a kid......good times. Now I just keep driving past to hit the river instead

[BassAssassin726]

They found Snakehead in Penn Warner?

[Snakehead Whisperer]

BTW, how did you get your photo on the DNR's SH web page?  I now think of you as "Mr. Snakehead"

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.

[Traveler2586]

I just found this on Ken Penrod's Fishing Reports http://www.penrodsguides.com/fishingreport.htm and just had to share it with you all.  What are they thinking !?!?!?

 

"The Quantico Marine Base intends to stock Snakeheads in Buffalo Pond, on the base for study. This is a very stupid idea since they will allow public fishing. Call them at 703-432-6776 and tell them to train marines and leave the fishing to studies to qualified biologists. How many other waters will “Marine-Snakeheads” show up in?"

 

Why would the Marine Base be interested in Snakeheads???????????

[Traveler2586]

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.

Ya, you are "Mr. Snakehead"  Want to go fight with some Marines???

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Ya, you are "Mr. Snakehead"  Want to go fight with some Marines???

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

[dreamertino]

some people say they are good as food has anyone here eaten any snakehead

[gotarheelz14]

I can tell you this without a doubt---snakehead will actually make a bass fishery go from ehhhh to WOW!!!
 

(1) They are fun as hell to catch. The type of fishing you have to do for them is unbelievable. The strikes you get are ridiculous. It is by far the most exciting, and powerfully fighting fish I have ever caught. 

(2) Because they normally prefer slightly different conditions than LM, they will actually not outcompete bass. The type of things they eat are very different. Snakeheads will mostly focus on small mammals and other smaller sized meals. Bass can gobble up bigger fish with that bucketmouth of theirs. Ever seen a snakehead's mouth? It's actually pretty dang tiny...

(3) Snakeheads do not have a spiny dorsal fin, and can spawn up to three times a year? OMG they will out compete bass and make them go extinct right? WRONG. They provide an insanely nutritious and abundant forage for bass and because of the lack of spines on their fins, bass gobble them up!!! The guide we fished with in the Potomac said that in his 20+ years of fishing the river, he has never seen as many or as fat of fish as he has seen in the past couple of years. 

(4) If it it's your cup of tea, they are supposed to be one of the better tasting freshwater fish out there....

 

I personally can't wait until someone brings them into NC waters. They are by far the most fun fish I have ever fished for and I am quite sure our bass population would increase in size and quality because of them. Heck, I might just ditch you guys and join snakeheadresource.com when that happens lol!!!! 

Jk about that last one, of course. 

 

Carlos

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I can tell you this without a doubt---snakehead will actually make a bass fishery go from ehhhh to WOW!!!

 

(1) They are fun as hell to catch. The type of fishing you have to do for them is unbelievable. The strikes you get are ridiculous. It is by far the most fish I have ever caught. 

(2) Because they normally prefer slightly different conditions than LM, they will actually not outcompete bass. The type of things they eat are very different. Snakeheads will mostly focus on small mammals and other smaller sized meals. Bass can gobble up bigger fish with that bucketmouth of theirs. Ever seen a snakehead's mouth? It's actually pretty dang tiny...

(3) Snakeheads have no back spine fin, and can spawn up to three times a year? OMG they will out compete bass and make them go extinct right? WRONG. They provide an insanely nutritious and abundant forage for bass. The guide we fished with in the Potomac said that in his 20+ years of fishing the river, he has never seen as many or as fat of fish as he has seen in the past couple of years. 

(4) If it it's your cup of tea, they are supposed to be one of the better tasting freshwater fish out there....

 

I personally can't wait until someone brings them into NC waters. They are by far the most fun fish I have ever fished and I am quite sure our bass population would increase in size and quality because of them. Heck, I might just ditch you guys and join snakeheadresource.com when that happens lol!!!! 

Jk about that last one, of course. 

 

Carlos

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.

[gotarheelz14]

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.

 

I actually split my bowfin and bass fishing by 50% each. However, Greensboro is really not that good of a place for bowfin fishing. I have lived here for a longggg time and I really haven't found any lakes, ponds, or rivers that have targetable populations. 

Now, if we are talking Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill.....that's a completely different story. I went to school there for four years and probably bowfin fished 80% of the time. 

I will say though, that no matter how good and fun bowfin are to catch, snakehead fishing by far outweighs bowfin fishing.

There's just no comparison in my humble, respectful, and personal opinion. 

[Snakehead Whisperer]

 

I actually split my bowfin and bass fishing by 50% each. However, Greensboro is really not that good of a place for bowfin fishing. I have lived here for a longggg time and I really haven't found any lakes, ponds, or rivers that have targetable populations. 

Now, if we are talking Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill.....that's a completely different story. I went to school there for four years and probably bowfin fished 80% of the time. 

I will say though, that no matter how good and fun bowfin are to catch, snakehead fishing by far outweighs bowfin fishing.

There's just no comparison in my humble, respectful, and personal opinion. 

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. 

[gotarheelz14]

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. 

I agree whole heartedly with you and could not possibly agree more. I think the way anglers perceive these so called "trash fish" would be an awesome sociological examination/experiment. In a lot of ways, it reminds me about the way we have treated each other as humans. If something looks different from what we are used to seeing, we often feel uncomfortable and want nothing do with it. Instead of understanding it before rejecting it, we immediately shut down. 

This is probably just a survival mechanism we once were naturally selected for. 

It's sad though. A lot of people have formed really negative ideas about fish like bowfin and think that they decimate other fish. I have actually seen and heard of people catching them and throwing them in the bank because they are either "too ugly" or "eat all the other fish..." sigh...

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that people want to have fun and compete with others. They want to show others their catch and want to be able to partake in the social aspects of fishing. So, because not that many people target these fish to begin with, other potential anglers don't either because they would have no one to talk to about their experiences. 

 

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I agree whole heartedly with you and could not possibly agree more. I think the way anglers perceive these so called "trash fish" would be an awesome sociological examination/experiment. In a lot of ways, it reminds me about the way we have treated each other as humans. If something looks different from what we are used to seeing, we often feel uncomfortable and want nothing do with it. Instead of understanding it before rejecting it, we immediately shut down. 

This is probably just a survival mechanism we once were naturally selected for. 

It's sad though. A lot of people have formed really negative ideas about fish like bowfin and think that they decimate other fish. I have actually seen and heard of people catching them and throwing them in the bank because they are either "too ugly" or "eat all the other fish..." sigh...

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that people want to have fun and compete with others. They want to show others their catch and want to be able to partake in the social aspects of fishing. So, because not that many people target these fish to begin with, other potential anglers don't either because they would have no one to talk to about their experiences. 

 

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

[JellyMan]

No it is not good for the lake but Bass and Snakehead can coexist. if I were a a 5 lb bass, I'de been inhaling small snakeheads. Personally, I dont like them and I will keep my view that the lakes are healthier without the unnatural introduction of other species, specifically, top of the food chain species. I will admit tho, they put up an intense and jerky fight from hell. I caught one and brought it in the boat. It bleed all over my book bag and boat and while it thrashed violently in the boat, it trashed my rods and reels. I was more than upset.

[B@ssCrzy]

My only problem with snakeheads is that when they spawn they are extremely dangerous to humans.  If you get close to their young while they are guarding them they will attack you and do some serious damage.  They are not easily run off like a bass when you come near the nest.  They actually stand and fight, and the teeth they have will do some serious damage.  I have three young kids and we enjoy every year vacationing on a lake.  Have been doing it for 30 years.  I like that in a freshwater lake I can tell the kids to go have fun and not have to worry about some fish doing damage to them.   If the snakehead is introduced that could change things. 

[Quillback]

My only problem with snakeheads is that when they spawn they are extremely dangerous to humans.  If you get close to their young while they are guarding them they will attack you and do some serious damage.  They are not easily run off like a bass when you come near the nest.  They actually stand and fight, and the teeth they have will do some serious damage.  I have three young kids and we enjoy every year vacationing on a lake.  Have been doing it for 30 years.  I like that in a freshwater lake I can tell the kids to go have fun and not have to worry about some fish doing damage to them.   If the snakehead is introduced that could change things. 

Sounds like snakeheads present an excellent bowfishing opportunity when spawning.