Snakehead Fishing

[Upper_bay_outdoors]

Personally, I have recently become addicted for fishing for snakeheads. Since these fish have spread so rapidly across the United States, anglers everywhere are starting to pursue these invasive fish in order to defend their local waterways. Many anglers have found out that these fish are a difficult to catch for a variety of reasons. In my experiences fishing for them, I have found they can be incredibly illusive and it seems they have a million ways of getting off a hook. I have fished for them all over the Maryland Eastern shore as well as various spots surrounding the Potomac River in Virginia. Currently these fish can be found in Maryland, Virginia, California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Georgia. I wanted to create a platform for anglers to discuss some of their favorite tackle, techniques, pictures, etc. when fishing for these fish all over the United States. I am looking forward to hearing what everyone has to say about these impressive fish.

 

 

[Junger]

They're a divisive fish, and you'll get people who love then, hate them, or are indifferent for various reasons. I'm between loving them and being indifferent. My favorite technique is definitely top water, specifically frogs and toads. I'll keep one if it's in a certain slot (4-6lb range) for the grill, otherwise I let them go rather than dispatch them.

[Upper_bay_outdoors]

8 minutes ago, Junger said:

They're a divisive fish, and you'll get people who love then, hate them, or are indifferent for various reasons. I'm between loving them and being indifferent. My favorite technique is definitely top water, specifically frogs and toads. I'll keep one if it's in a certain slot (4-6lb range) for the grill, otherwise I let them go rather than dispatch them.

Personally, i have a love and a hate for them. They are probably my favorite fish to catch, especially the big ones but I have seen them negatively impact the health of local fish stocks in some of the waterways near me so I can't justify releasing them. However, I have found plenty of people to take them off my hands so that I don't end up tons of snakehead meat in my freezer. I have to agree with you on the topwater bite though. There is nothing better than seeing them explode on a topwater frog or buzz bait

[JustJames]

Where snakehead in California? I’ll move there lol.

[BASS302]

On 2/21/2020 at 4:23 PM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Where snakehead in California? I’ll move there lol.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Current Distribution

Currently, snakeheads are not established in California. The only confirmed report of snakehead in California was a single northern snakehead (Channa argus) collected from Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County in 1997.

Actions Taken if Found

If this species is found in California, do not release it. Preserve (freeze) the specimen and immediately contact the CDFW Invasive Species Program, or email us at Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov, or (866) 440-9530.

 

[bostonsox2904]

It's really fun to fish for snakeheads after the fry have hatched. In Florida, this is generally in the summer after the rainy season begins and the weeds proliferate. The parents will hold their ground and defend their fry instead of bolting on first sight. I spent some time watching snakehead fry being guarded by their parents, and they were getting absolutely harassed by bluegills and small bass. It's neat because the fry have to come up for air every minute or two, and when they simultaneously hit the surface, it's like a sprinkler hitting the water. I've had the best luck in Coral Springs and my PB was caught on a bluegill fly. They're a really awesome fish and maybe the hardest species to reliably catch in those S FL canals. Go give fry fishing a shot this summer. Most people hate or are indifferent to snakeheads, so nobody will give you crap for fishing the spawners.

[Logan S]

Here's the biggest one I've ever caught or seen...Got it back in 2016 on the Potomac.  I should have weighed it because it could have been close to a state record, guessing it was in the 15lb class.  It pulled me around pretty good even with a 7'6" H rod and 65lb braid (can actually see it pull my boat a bit).  They can be fun but really just bycatch for me, I catch quite a few each year when bass fishing on the Potomac and Upper Chesapeake.  

 

 

Nothing will ever get them out of the Potomac, but the ***holes that are illegally stocking them in every other waterway in the area need to be caught and have the book thrown at them.  The Potomac is doing OK with them but other places might not.  

[CountryboyinDC]

The first one I caught, and my biggest one wasn't that big (the folks with me said it would go about 8 lbs, but they could have been generous), but sort of fought like that one you caught.  I was sure I had hooked a catfish, guys I was fishing for had been chumming for them, and I went working a casting jig down the other side of the point.  Since then I've only caught smaller ones on hollow bodied frogs in still shallow water.  I've wondered what made that first one bite a jig.