Snakehead Rod

[Keefu13]

Any suggestions on a snakehead rod under $400? I live in Japan and have caught a 30 inch before. 

Edited June 13, 2020 by Keefu13

[Spankey]

I never caught a snakehead. I Bass fish where they are though. If they are prone to hit bass lures. Wouldn’t your bass fishing set up(s) be good enough. 
 

I know nothing about targeting them. 

[Teal]

On 6/13/2020 at 1:28 AM, Keefu13 said:

Any suggestions on a snakehead rod under $400? I live in Japan and have caught a 30 inch before. 

I dont fish for them either.  We just dont have them here.. but based on their weights, I would think a heavy or medium heavy or maybe a light swimbait bass rod will do the trick.  Alot of guys on here are down in Florida catching them on bass gear.  400 is a dang budget for a rod.  Can you tell us what lures you are using or lure you see yourself using to catch them..   with that kinda budget, as long as you have a clear vision of what you want to throw, a custom rod would be a good option.  Mike @Delaware Valley Tackle could build one.

[soflabasser]

I have caught many bullseye snakeheads in South Florida and I prefer using a 6-7'0'' heavy action rod. Snakeheads have tough mouths so you need to have a rod with a strong backbone to set the hook. They like to live in and around heavy aquatic vegetation which is another reason to use a heavy action rod. You can find many rods like these that cost under $200.

[CountryboyinDC]

I don't target snakeheads, they're the pike of the tidal Potomac.  Tie on a brand new Koppers $12 frog, and they're guaranteed to bite that one.  30" is a good one, but the biggest I've caught was 24" (with really beautiful coloration, wasn't mostly black like a lot of the others).  I think a H/F would probably be a great rod, but there are some others on this forum that I believe fish in snakehead country more than I do like @Logan S, @Choporoz, @OnthePotomac, and others.  I would guess that bass rods for whatever technique you're using to target them would work, but there may be better options.

[soflabasser]

12 hours ago, Teal said:

 Alot of guys on here are down in Florida catching them on bass gear.  

I use a heavy action rod for bullseye snakehead fishing in South Florida and most serious snakehead fishermen I know use a heavy action rod. These fish fight harder than an equal sized bass and live in areas with heavy aquatic vegetation so it is best to use gear that can handle these fish.

[Keefu13]

Thank you for all of your suggestions! Sorry for replying so late! I ended up going with a snakehead rod sold here in Japan! Brand is Hishimo. 

As for lures I use chatterbaits, and frogs. The 30 inch was caught on a chatterbait. They put up a mean fight and are really fun to catch.