This Is Either Very Good, Or Very Bad :-)

[CountBassula]

So I left work early today (4pm :-) ) and took my son fishing behind my house. I landed 2 snakeheads in 15 minutes... baby snakeheads! Before I would catch nice side adults, but now all there is are juveniles! LMG even caught a tiny one last time we fished here.

 

So, good news is, they're reproducing in my canal :-D Bad news is... where are all the big ones?!?

 

M.

 

 

[Sam]

Bad News - They are in your canal.

 

Worse News - You threw the babies back.

 

Where are the adults? - Swimming along the bank and in shallow water.

[CountBassula]

Bad News - They are in your canal.

 

Worse News - You threw the babies back.

 

Where are the adults? - Swimming along the bank and in shallow water.

 

LOL! No I don't mind them here! They're are probably my favorite fish to catch, with bass being a very close second. I'm just wondering where the big ones are. The fact that I'm catching younglings is a good sign to me: they're reproducing, so there'll be more to catch! I guess there's so many babies they're overwhelming the parents :-) It's a small canal after all and they have to hide somewhere... it looks like there's a snakehead by the bank every 10 yards now :-)

[Tim Cianciola]

glad u like snakeheads, because they will destroy every other fish in that water lol

[fstr385]

I wonder how a snakehead would do as bait in big water (8-12") Im a fan of using big lures and plastics to catch bigger fish. I heard theyre good in saltwater. I wouldn't introduce them anywere they didn't already populate tho.

[CountBassula]

I wonder how a snakehead would do as bait in big water (8-12") Im a fan of using big lures and plastics to catch bigger fish. I heard theyre good in saltwater. I wouldn't introduce them anywere they didn't already populate tho.

 

wait, you're saying they can live in salt water? or be used as good bait, all chopped up and stuff?

[SirSnookalot]

I have read a report about snakeheads being in the ICW not far from the Hillsboro inlet, can't verify it.  

 

Don't know what the snakeheads will do to other fish populations, but as long as they are here why not fish for them, especially if they are in your own "back yard".  It's an enjoyable diversion from other species, they give a good account of themselves and some say they are quite tasty.

 

The invasive species that's getting a lot of ink are Lionfish.

 

The worst crock of crap I ever heard in my life is game fish vs "trash" fish.  I'll take a hard fighting, good eating "trash" fish over a less aggressive game fish any time.

[Diggy]

glad u like snakeheads, because they will destroy every other fish in that water lol

[wrat]

I thought snakeheads were kill on catch

[Diggy]

I thought snakeheads were kill on catch

not here in Fl

[Shane Procell]

Snakeheads are no different than any other fish species. They will go deep at times. As far as a snakehead destroying the bass fishery. That is solely an opinion, and has no scientific backing. On the otherhand: Kelley Gestring who heads up the invasive species unit for the FWC, a guy who knows what is actually happening in our waterway via scientific study and electroshocking, has said that so far he has not seen where the snakehead fish is doing any harm to our native species. He has stated that the largemouth bass are eating the baby snakeheads. I too have seen the same results as I have spent time on the water. I have fished all over South Florida and have seen snakeheads, bass (juveniles to mature), peacock bass, brim, shiners, talapia, turtles etc.... all living together.

I now catch and release all my snakeheads unless I intend to eat them. There is no law stating that you have to kill anything in Florida. If I was ever cited a ticket for releasing a fish back in the same water in which it was caught, I can promiss you that it would not stand up in court.

[Gotfishyfingers?]

Although I respect everyone's opinion on this matter, I would like to educate anyone who may read this thread on the laws in regards to possessing,releasing and transporting of nonnatives species in this GREAT State of Florida. This information is straight from myfwc and is no means an attack on anyone else's posts/comments or opinion on here. Again I just want to educate anyone who may read this thread on what the true laws are. Thank you

Conditional and Prohibited Species Regulations

It is illegal to release any nonnative species in Florida without a permit.

The Florida Administrative Code and the Florida Statutes govern the importation and introduction of nonnative fish and wildlife:

It is unlawful for any person to possess, transport or otherwise bring into the state or to release or introduce in the state any freshwater fish, aquatic invertebrate, marine plant, marine animal, or wild animal life that is not native to the state without a permit from the Commission, except fathead minnow, variable platy, coturnix quail, and ring-necked pheasant. ( 68-5.001, F.A.C.)

It is unlawful to import into the state or place in any of the fresh waters of the state any freshwater fish of any species without having first obtained a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (379.28, F.S.)

It is unlawful to import for sale or use, or to release within this state, any species of the animal kingdom not indigenous to Florida without having first obtained a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (379.231, F.S.)

It is unlawful to import or possess any marine plant or marine animal, not indigenous to the state, which, due to the stimulating effect of the waters of the state on procreation, may endanger or infect the marine resources of the state or pose a human health hazard, except as provided in this section. (379.26, F.S.)

You can read more detailed information about the Florida Statutes at http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ and about the Florida Administrative Code at https://www.flrules.org/default.asp.

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/conditional-prohibited-species/regulations/

[BP10]

Snakeheads are no different than any other fish species. They will go deep at times. As far as a snakehead destroying the bass fishery. That is solely an opinion, and has no scientific backing. On the otherhand: Kelley Gestring who heads up the invasive species unit for the FWC, a guy who knows what is actually happening in our waterway via scientific study and electroshocking, has said that so far he has not seen where the snakehead fish is doing any harm to our native species. He has stated that the largemouth bass are eating the baby snakeheads. I too have seen the same results as I have spent time on the water. I have fished all over South Florida and have seen snakeheads, bass (juveniles to mature), peacock bass, brim, shiners, talapia, turtles etc.... all living together.

I now catch and release all my snakeheads unless I intend to eat them. There is no law stating that you have to kill anything in Florida. If I was ever cited a ticket for releasing a fish back in the same water in which it was caught, I can promiss you that it would not stand up in court.

 

 there are laws releasing non native fish back into the water.someone already posted the links for you  by which will stand up in court  but now FWC enforcing those laws is another matter  some FWC say that dont harm some do  its opinion like you said  but it is illegal to throw them back.  BTW i like your youtube video by going offroading to  honey holes  in the everglades during dry seasons