New to Snakehead, so any tip?

[RyAxion]

I recently went to the Chesapeake for my first attempt at catching snakehead, but I missed my two only blowups on a frog, one of them a 30-incher!

 

Forgive me, I hadn't caught a fish on frogs since my first ever smallmouth in 2007, so I would also appreciate any help in improving my frog game, especially in lures, presentation, and HOOKING.

 

Here's what I'll use next time:

-Rod: Shimano Expride 7'2" MH/Fast

-Reel: Shimano Antares DC-7 LV (7.1:1)

-Line: Daiwa J-Braid Grand 40 lbs. (Gray light)

Is this appropriate for snakeheads?

[VolFan]

Are you fishing hollow bodied frogs or soft plastic toads that you buzz over the water? Your gear seems fine for either, although I might go with a H rod if you’re fishing in heavier grass beds. Snakeheads have small mouths, so remember that as you choose lures and hooks. Trailer hooks help if they don’t constantly hang the grass.  It’s hard but wait a split second after the boil to set the hook. Finally - fish shallower than you think you should, especially as temps rise. The can be burrowed into stuff in less than 6” of water.

[RyAxion]

I fish hollow bodies, but also think of trying 3/8 oz. spinners and chatterbaits. Where I fished, I casted parallel to the grasses.

 

Since snakeheads have smaller mouths than bass, does a 2.5-inch hollow-body still fit?

[VolFan]

2.5 hollow bodies definitely fit in a decent snakehead’s mouth. I would throw a fluke as a follow up bait. They’re fun fish.

[casts_by_fly]

there is a great video on one of the bass youtube channels (BFHQ maybe?) where he lets a largemouth eat a frog in pretty open water and instead of setting the hook he lets the fish run with it for as long as it will hold the frog.  I think he hit an 8-count before he set the hook.  I found that enlightening and will be giving the fish a solid second next time I'm frog fishing.  I don't know if snakeheads are the same, but I am going to find out next month.

 

rick

[Choporoz]

FB has a lot dedicated dragon hunters.  There's at least a few groups of MD, VA and DC folks.  

  I don't target them, but catch plenty fishing for bass in tidal (and some non-tidal) waters around here.  No bass lure they won't eat.  As @VolFansaid, target the edges....but sometimes you will also find plenty in more open water

BTW, whatever happened to @Snakehead Whisperer?

[casts_by_fly]

7 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

FB has a lot dedicated dragon hunters.  There's at least a few groups of MD, VA and DC folks.  

  I don't target them, but catch plenty fishing for bass in tidal (and some non-tidal) waters around here.  No bass lure they won't eat.  As @VolFansaid, target the edges....but sometimes you will also find plenty in more open water

BTW, whatever happened to @Snakehead Whisperer?

 

and NJ too.  The bottom half of the state where the Delaware is partly tidal apparently has tons of snakeheads and guys fishing for them.  Its about 2.5 hours for me one way, so I am going to make a full day of it in July.

 

are you on the chesapeake bay waters? I have friends in Fulton and have considered a trip to the western shore (annapolis way).

[Choporoz]

No.  I fish Potomac.  Mostly between Dogue Creek and Aquia.   Mattawoman, Aquia, Dogue, Gunston Cove....all good for snakeheads

[TOXIC]

I have found that snakeheads can tolerate salt or brackish water the highest concentrations of them are in the fresher tributaries off the Potomac and the Rappahonock rivers for example.  Any bass bait will catch them but the brighter and louder the colors are the better they like it. 
 

[RyAxion]

Also, drag-wise for frogs, should I lock it down or set 75% to set the hook (and fight)?

 

I'm afraid of braid digging into the spool during hookset. My 40 lb. J-Braid Grand has a diameter of .013" for reference.

[TOXIC]

On 6/15/2022 at 11:03 AM, RyAxion said:

Also, drag-wise for frogs, should I lock it down or set 75% to set the hook (and fight)?

 

I'm afraid of braid digging into the spool during hookset. My 40 lb. J-Braid Grand has a diameter of .013" for reference.

Most of the guys that I know that target them with frogs use straight braid and lock down the drag.  All of the ones I have caught have been on a 5 inch Senko or DShad and 8# mono. ?. We actually had to run down the big one pictured in my post with the boat.

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Most of the guys that I know that target them with frogs use straight braid and lock down the drag.  All of the ones I have caught have been on a 5 inch Senko or DShad and 8# mono. ?. We actually had to run down the big one pictured in my post with the boat.

Ha!  I love it. Backing down on a snakehead like a marlin. 

[soflabasser]

Make sure to use sharp hooks and set the hook strong when fishing for snakeheads since they have much harder mouths than bass.

[JustJames]

And if you wanna kill them but afraid to eat them, freeze them and send my way lol.

[RyAxion]

Will full braid still be safe? I see a lot of snakehead guys not using wire leader.

 

I tied "Park's Snakehead" knot from this YouTube video: 

 

[TOXIC]

From Monday all on 10lb mono no leader.  These were all open water fish, no pads, short grass.  Caught on chatterbait and crankbait.  

[VolFan]

I never used a leader - they have small mouths and very very rarely engulf the whole lure if you’re fishing normal bass lures.

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, VolFan said:

I never used a leader - they have small mouths and very very rarely engulf the whole lure if you’re fishing normal bass lures.

 

I would agree with this, my PB snake is like ~8lbs and it's mouth was just big enough to maybe fit a average bass frog into it.  

[RyAxion]

For reference, the yellow frog on my photo is a 2 5/8" Live Target Frog. I hope the size is still enough for them.

[VolFan]

If you find yourself missing fish, downsize. I always liked a buzzbait with trailer.  All that said about leaders, DO NOT put your finger in their mouths. Their teeth are like little razors and they will bite down on you. I had a small one take a chunk out of my thumb like a little piranha