Snakehead Infestation In S. Fl.! Kill?

[CountBassula]

Hi gang!

So I fished in a little canal behind my house, and it's absolutely infested with snakeheads! I've caught 3 in an hour (as well as 10 small bass), and saw MANY more all on a 1/2 mile stretch of a narrow, not very deep canal. This canal dead ends at a park and also forks off a bit north of me, but basically a dead end. What I also noticed, is that there appears to be a strange patter to where the fish are located. Toward the two dead ends of the canal, there are only snakeheads (plus some small cyclids and sunfish), only traveling in the opposite direction where the canal meets up with a larger one do you start to see Bass and other fish. I wonder if the snakeheads have wiped the fish population in part of it, or are blocking other fish from entering the dead end by killing and eating anything else that dares to pass.

 

For the longest time I was of the believe that snakeheads are not harming the local eco system; but after fishing for a while today, I see that it's a snakehead infested wasteland. So... putting my ethical issue of killing things for "no reason", should I start a campaign of "terminate with extreme prejudice" to restore my canal to some sort of a balance? We're talking about a 1/2 mile of canal, and I can easily cover all or most of it and catch them. I know they can return from the larger canal eventually, but would a consistent catch and kill approach restore more bass into my canal?

 

And finally, what is the quickest and most humane way to kill a snakehead? I've seen people cut them open through the upper belly/jaw, but it's rather grotesque. Any other way other than a rock/stick to the head?

 

Thanks!

 

Martin

[fstr385]

Crack them on top the head with pliers or a club.

Evil demon fish!

[GLADES]

A tire iron, cinder block, or automatic transmission to the head.

[SirSnookalot]

Shotgun blast to the head should do the trick.

[Gotfishyfingers?]

Cooler with ice.

[Rovingmutt]

I think we should have a snakehead party at martins house and see how many we can get

[fstr385]

A tire iron, cinder block, or automatic transmission to the head.

finally... a use for this tranny thats been sitting in the boat!

[CountBassula]

I think we should have a snakehead party at martins house and see how many we can get

 

actually i though about throwing a BBQ party for the local guys! perhaps once the weather cools down a bit we can have a BBQ/fishing in my back yard

[AK-Jax86]

I'm glad we ain't got snakeheads up here in Jax I wouldn't be able to do all that like dude in the video lol

[AK-Jax86]

actually i though about throwing a BBQ party for the local guys! perhaps once the weather cools down a bit we can have a BBQ/fishing in my back yard

Hope us North FL guys are invited too! We can bring some chips and potato salad lol

[CountBassula]

Hope us North FL guys are invited too! We can bring some chips and potato salad lol

 

hey if you're willing to drive down here, of course you're invited! i think in about a month or so after my mom goes back to Poland we can organize a BBQ

[BassinLou]

hey if you're willing to drive down here, of course you're invited! i think in about a month or so after my mom goes back to Poland we can organize a BBQ

 

Now that sounds like fun. 

[LgMouthGambler]

Mmmmmmm. BBQ Snakehead. Sounds yummy!

[MCS]

This is what I want to avoid doing (warning, NSFW or Kids): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaG2oM4viaE

You should that dude to narrate your bass club videos, the MFer would deffinately add to the drama lmao....that dude with the hammer had 2 mistakes 1) he had bad aim 2) he hit like a girl, c'mon dude this isn't a game of wack a mole at chuck E Cheese! Hit it like u mean it ! Lmao

[MCS]

And I am telling u, pin on ground stab in head, good night Irene. Dip in water to clean it up a bit bag it to take home and bbq

[CayMar]

I hope us south Alabama guy are invited as well. Lol. I think if u eat em or have a fishing party/bbq or gave them to someone who will eat them then its all good.

[Diggy]

Wait for the cold...point me to that canal and Ill bring a dude that will cookemup

 

There are no snakes in my area in WPB and the crappy canals only have mayans, tilapia and really small bass. Same scenario as your canal.

[SirSnookalot]

I did run into a guy telling me he has caught snakeheads in Boynton, I haven't seen any myself, but I really have not done freshwater fishing in ages.

[Sam]

Do not cut the snakeheads with a knife. They bleed all over the place. Do as the guys say and clobber them on the head and dispose of the bodies in a trash bin.

 

There are past studies in Maryland and Virginia waters regarding snakeheads. Now Maryland says that these invasive species are not a threat and to release them after being caught. Virginia says to kill every one you boat.

 

Snakeheads do eat the same forage as bass and other fish so the snakeheads are seeking out new waters to feed. This is why you see them as you do in the canal.

 

I suggest speaking with one of your state's game wardens about the snakeheads and how Florida wishes you to handle the ones you catch.

[salmicropterus]

Florida's policy with all invasives, except for peacock bass, is to catch and kill.

 

Also, and not saying it is the case with any of these posts, a lot of sightings of snakeheads are bowfin

[Greeneye8181]

That video was brutal. Yes kill them. Kill them all!

I don't understand the people in my region that don't kill them for personal reasons.

[CayMar]

I would disagree with the kill them and throw the bodies away idea. I would say if you can't find some way to use the meat then killing them is wrong IMO. I was raised to eat anything I killed or leave it be.

[CountBassula]

That video was brutal. Yes kill them. Kill them all!

I don't understand the people in my region that don't kill them for personal reasons.

 

 

I would disagree with the kill them and throw the bodies away idea. I would say if you can't find some way to use the meat then killing them is wrong IMO. I was raised to eat anything I killed or leave it be.

 

 

 

the only things i don't mind killing are: mosquitos, cockroaches! disgusting creatures!!! and sometimes tiny pharaoh ants running all over my house. otherwise i'm of a believe that everything wants to live and it's not up to me to kill it. i will however kill to eat with no reservations, that's part of God's creation to me.

 

now having said that, if snakeheads are causing issues i could talk myself into clubbing them on the head and throwing the body back in for other's to eat...

[CayMar]

I wouldn't hate you for it. I can tell your not the kind of guy to kill them out of spite. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

[JayKumar]

cut the spine behind the head!  I hear they're good to eat though?