Snakehead While Bass Fishing

[Catching]

There was a break in the weather around lunchtime today, had my rod in the car so I went to a spot where I used to catch some nice fish when I was a kid about 15 minutes from the office, did not catch any bass, or even see any baitfish but saw some movement along the shoreline and I mean right up on the bank, about five cast later I caught a 4.5 pound Bullseye Snakehead put it on ice and headed back to the office. Called it in to FWC, talked to Kelly in the Boca office, super cool guy to talk to, told me everywhere they have been finding them,. they seem to be confined from Hillsboro Blvd south to Oakland Park Blvd west to Markham Park. He was happy I did not release it, then suggested how to cook it up. Cut it up when I got home, battered it with Tempura batter with a bit of Thai Curry Rub from Pampered Chef and it was very good. So any guys down here in South Florida should consider it open season on these fish since they are getting real close to getting into the glades and from what I saw from this little canal it looks like they it took over. If you do not want to eat it give them to someone who will, we really need to try and stop these fish from spreading.

If you catch any north, south, or west of these locations please call it in to FWC so they can keep track of where they are spreading to.

[Micro]

I've never caught one, but they have them in the Potomac here in Virginia. I hear they are delicious.

[Catching]

I think you have the northern Snakehead, the Bullseye Snake head dies in waters colder than 50 degrees so it might take a little ice age to kill them off down here.

[Dan:]

Yeah, we've got the northern snakehead which is much larger. Micro, bring that boat of yours up here sometime and I'll see if I can get you into some.

[Bigs]

Up here in VA they are growing fast and 10 pounders are normal now. I dont really care to catch any more of them, Id rather use a bow instead of rod/reel. The slime they produce is the worst imo

[racer894]

I would hate to catch a snakehead hahah

[Dan:]

why? they strike aggressively, fight pretty well, grow to large sizes and taste delicious

[endless]

Where around the Potomac are they regularly caught at? I'm hoping to have my Thundercraft going one of these days and very intrigue on fishing for some.  Never caught one yet.

I know there's this pond not to far from my house my buddy swears it has been stocked with them. I caught a bowfin from the same pond and he says it's not a bowfin he caught. I've seen his pic hard to tell but does look like a snakehead by the fins. I've yet to catch one from there to know.

[Addicted to Smallies]

I've heard a lot of my buddies have caught snakeheads here in the lower Potomac (around Mt. Vernon and down river, near creek inlets) while fishing for largemouth bass.  90% of the time it sounds like their line gets snapped, though.  Makes me wonder if some of my broken lines / snags / weak knots were actually snakeheads grabbing my senko that I never saw.

Do people use steel leaders or super-high-gauge fluro when you fish for these things?  I'd imagine you would need something similar to a musky set-up.

[Dan:]

I've never heard of them snapping line. I have a friend who has caught scores of them and I don't believe he's had the problem either. He uses heavy braid.

Pick a tributary of the P'mac from DC down to Aquia. Chances are good that there are snakeheads there.

[Shane J]

Yup, this past May, during a tournament on the Potomac in D.C., a guy caught a 10lb snakehead.

[Dan:]

Yup, this past May, during a tournament on the Potomac in D.C., a guy caught a 10lb snakehead.

Not uncommon. I know of at least one 18lber being caught.

[Catching]

I am using a big frog and heavy braid, here is one I caught yesterday behind a Wendy's on my lunch break this one was six pounds. Also caught this 3-4 pound bass after work in the same area.

[Fishing Cowgirl]

That thing really looks like its name..I'd be afraid I was bringing in someone's ex-pet now loose Boa or Anaconda to the boat. (we've had those big snakes caught in our local lakes).

But I'd certainly try and cook it if it really tastes that good...fried snake head, grits and greens and a biscuit..maybe tastes better than it sounds..lol

[hookingem]

I know the potomac is loaded with these things now! I hear they fight like champs! Does anyone think they are having an adverse effect on the bass population in the potomac?

[Catching]

I have not caught any bass where I have caught the snakeheads or seen any small fish running the banks, but in the same canal system if I catch bass I do not get snakeheads.

It has been a couple days since I pulled these two snakes out of the body of water I have been fishing at lunch and today the banks were loaded up with smaller fish and bluegills everywhere, very good to see that 8-) and no snakes today not hit a hit from one  8-)