Should I hook a snake in the head or tail?

[Micro]

I grabbed two water snakes that were sunning on a tree yesterday and want to use them for bait. No, they are not Water Moccassins and I am well educated as far as our resident poisonous snakes.

Would it be better to hook them behind the neck or near the tail?

Either way they may tangle like an eel does in saltwater.

Let's talk snakes.

First, let me give you a quick lesson in terminology.  "Poisonous" snakes aren't "poisonous."  They are "venomous."  Got it?  Poisonous means - you bite it, you get sick. Venomous means - it bites you, you get sick.  

Second, there is no such thing as a "water moccassin."  There are water snakes, of the genus Nerodia, and Cottonmouths, of the genus Agkistrodon, which is also the genus for Copperheads.   The only "moccassin" found in the US is the Northern Copperhead (aka Upland Moccassin), of the genus Agkistrodon, species contortrix, subspecies mokasen.  

Third, bass do not regularly predate on Water Snakes.  Northern Water Snakes, Banded waters snakes, Brown Water Snakes, and any other water snakes are very tough.  And while non-venomous to humans, they are thought to produce a saliva that may be toxic to fish.  Bass DO NOT predate on water snakes.  

So let the little snakes go before you hurt yourself, or the snakes.  

[Micro]

This guy likes bass!

[Guest muddy]

This guy likes bass!

So Micro are we a friend of the snakes???? GrEAT PIC ALSO 8-)

[MemphisFisherman]

k......I am going with the people saying not to use it, and for the sole reason that artificial bait works just fine, why kill a natural pest control to catch a fish when you could just use plastic?  I am not a tree hugger, I dont believe that we should all worship snakes, and I do use crickets SOMETIMES when fishin for bream, but if artificial bait is working just fine, why would I use anything else?

[Micro]

So Micro are we a friend of the snakes???? GrEAT PIC ALSO 8-)

I love snakes.  They are the most inoffensive critters on God's good earth.  

Here's one you don't want to try and put on a hook.  He'll ruin your whole day (and week and month, too).  

[Namistia]

i think that is the smallest cottonmouth i have ever seen

[Daniel My Brother]

You should hook 'em in the armpit.

[Micro]

i think that is the smallest cottonmouth i have ever seen

I caught him on October 1, 2006.  I took my youngest son out to see some cottomouths.  We have a reservoir here that's loaded with them.  Curiously, I couldn't find any that day.  I was out in some weeds carefully lifting them with my snake stick but didn't find any.  I was squatting down near a dogwood trying to figure out my next move, looked down, and he was coiled up on the ground right underneath me.  If I had sat down, I would have sat on him.  Luckily, it was chilly that morning and he was pretty lethargic and I was able to carefully handle him.

[Madhouse27]

Perhaps I've been up north a little too long but if I'm fishing someplace that's infested with water snakes I'm probably going to find a new spot to go fishing.  

[GitRDoneIke23]

how about not at all..

I been fishing for a long time and everyonce in the while I like to go out with one rod and some crawlers or a bucket full of large shiners and watch bobbers all day, taint nothing wrong with it 8-)

Nuttin wrong at all.  

8-)

[GitRDoneIke23]

I grabbed two water snakes that were sunning on a tree yesterday and want to use them for bait. No, they are not Water Moccassins and I am well educated as far as our resident poisonous snakes.

Would it be better to hook them behind the neck or near the tail?

Either way they may tangle like an eel does in saltwater.

Let's talk snakes.

First, let me give you a quick lesson in terminology. "Poisonous" snakes aren't "poisonous." They are "venomous." Got it? Poisonous means - you bite it, you get sick. Venomous means - it bites you, you get sick.

Second, there is no such thing as a "water moccassin." There are water snakes, of the genus Nerodia, and Cottonmouths, of the genus Agkistrodon, which is also the genus for Copperheads. The only "moccassin" found in the US is the Northern Copperhead (aka Upland Moccassin), of the genus Agkistrodon, species contortrix, subspecies mokasen.

Third, bass do not regularly predate on Water Snakes. Northern Water Snakes, Banded waters snakes, Brown Water Snakes, and any other water snakes are very tough. And while non-venomous to humans, they are thought to produce a saliva that may be toxic to fish. Bass DO NOT predate on water snakes.

So let the little snakes go before you hurt yourself, or the snakes.

Let's talk snakes!!

1) Who really cares if they're called posiounus or venomus. We get the picture!!!

2) The comon name for water snakes IS water mocassins. Again, who gives a pigs butt over what species and genus and all that stuff!!!

3) Bass DO feed on snakes. I see it all the time. Go hug you're sankkes somewhere else!!

If this guy, or anyone else wants to use snakes let them!! Thank's for your informative post on snakes, but WHO CARES!!!??

8-)

[GitRDoneIke23]

As for how to rig one.....I'd say hook it through the head. I've always wanted to try this, but I could never catch one. Let me know how it turns out!

8-)

[GatorBK]

First off its illegal .Secondly most snakes produce musk which repels predators .

Thats about as ethical as me using your dog or cat to catch one of these guys

[GitRDoneIke23]

First off its illegal .Secondly most snakes produce musk which repels predators .

Thats about as ethical as me using your dog or cat to catch one of these guys

Don;t get started in ethics. I guess it's not "ethical" to use shiners, crickets, crawfish, shad, or any other live biat then. GIMME A BREAK!!

Nice gator BTW!!!

8-)

[Micro]

Let's talk snakes!!

1) Who really cares if they're called posiounus or venomus. We get the picture!!!

I just thought a guy as well educated as him would want the record set straight.

2) The comon name for water snakes IS water mocassins. Again, who gives a pigs butt over what species and genus and all that stuff!!!

Well then, if he caught a couple of snakes that aren't "water moccassins" (aka water snakes), maybe he has a couple of cottonmouths.  If that's the case, I hope he video tapes himself hooking these snakes.  Should make for some good entertainment.  

3) Bass DO feed on snakes. I see it all the time. Go hug you're sankkes somewhere else!!

If you see it all the itme, then you won't have any trouble catching some video.  If you can, I know someone who can get you published.  Because you will have proven FALSE studies that show that snake mortality due to bass predation is negligible.  

Bass do not regularly predate on snakes.  

If this guy, or anyone else wants to use snakes let them!! Thank's for your informative post on snakes, but WHO CARES!!!??

8-)

Thanks for your informative and well proof-read post.  

[Micro]

First off its illegal .Secondly most snakes produce musk which repels predators .

And if you have ever been musked or shat upon by a well-fed water snake, you remember it for quite awhile.

Watersnake bites always seem to be a little more intense than other snakes.  I've been biten by just about every snake I've caught, save the venomous snakes.  Watersnakes bite hard, frequently, and the bites seem to bleed and bleed and bleed.  

[CJ]

Yeah, water snakes are pretty aggressive. You know, I've seen to many small ones swim through where big bass live and never seen one get struck by a fish. IMO, waste of time.

[Kevenater]

I used to keep all kinds of snakes as pets back in my teen years and early 20's. I used to make water snakes bite me to show people how harmless they are. yes they do stink worse than most snakes when they release it. smells rough!! more so than others i've smelled. I don't really like the idea of hooking one of em, i guess cause i love snakes. oh and gator, anybody ever told u ur not too smart? lol I've heard the same bout my snakecatching, i guess it's whatever creatures we're familiar with and used to.

[Bassn Blvd]

I never tried real snakes for bass but I often use wild/stray cats for shark fishing.  We hollow out a piece of stirofoam that slides over the cats head and can be fastened to the body to keep it from drowning.  1st we chum for the sharks with cut up bonita and other junk fish.  When the sharks arrive, we toss out a kitty and then it's game on.  Hold on tight.

We don't hook the cat with the 12/0 hooks because it hurts them while pushing it through their thigh.  We rubberband the hooks to them instead.  We go through about 7-10 cats per trip.

[SV1000]

Yes, I am serious but I had no idea that using snakes as live bait would be so controversial. A lot of the sarcasm contained in the responses is so near PETA'ism that it's scary.  

Now that I think about it, I have seen snakes swimming all over the lake with not a single blow up by Micropterus salmoides. I should have thought about this before snagging them off the tree.

I have been around snakes most of my life but I am not a herpetologist. In fact, I do not know the scientific name of a single snake that I have owned in my life including Red Tail Boas, Glossy, Longnose, Garter, Hognose, King, Diamondback, Coachwhip, Bullsnake, Indigo, Massasagua or others that escape my mind.

So I am not an expert on snakes, I don't study them and  I don't kill them indiscriminately. In Texas we eat Rattlers fried and call snakes of the genus Agkistrodon Cottonmouths, Water Moccassins and given enough time or distance, Cottonmouth Water Moccassins.

 

 

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Let's talk snakes!!

1) Who really cares if they're called posiounus or venomus. We get the picture!!!

I just thought a guy as well educated as him would want the record set straight.

I found that fact rather interesting too.  The original post was made by someone who obviously hadn't thought it all the way out.  You are defending him, and quite badly I might add.  Even he can come back and say "thanks" guys, I hadn't thought that one all the way out" but you are defending him against one of the few guys who was willing to answer the thread with facts instead of humor (although there sure are some funny replies,lol) so where does that leave you?  Looking dumb.  Think things out

2) The comon name for water snakes IS water mocassins. Again, who gives a pigs butt over what species and genus and all that stuff!!!

Well then, if he caught a couple of snakes that aren't "water moccassins" (aka water snakes), maybe he has a couple of cottonmouths.  If that's the case, I hope he video tapes himself hooking these snakes.  Should make for some good entertainment.  

Who cares??  I should think YOU would seeing as how you fish snake infested water

3) Bass DO feed on snakes. I see it all the time. Go hug you're sankkes somewhere else!!

If you see it all the itme, then you won't have any trouble catching some video.  If you can, I know someone who can get you published.  Because you will have proven FALSE studies that show that snake mortality due to bass predation is negligible.  

Bass do not regularly predate on snakes.  

In other words, put your money where your mouth is.  If you're not sure where your mouth is,...look for your foot, it will be close by.

If this guy, or anyone else wants to use snakes let them!! Thank's for your informative post on snakes, but WHO CARES!!!??

Um,...people who fish where there are snakes??

8-)

Thanks for your informative and well proof-read post.  

Gitrdone-What gives? Micro gives lots of good info here and has LOTS of knowledge about snakes.     I don't appreciate a member who is on probation, after being banned, telling a member of good standing to "go hug your snakes" elsewhere.  

Personally, I'd like to tell you to post your ignorance filled comments elsewhere when I see a reply like this.  

SV1000- Your thread was obviously an honest question, not one designed to just stir the pot.  Hopefully some of the replies have helped you out.  Aside from the obvious debate of whether they make good bait or not, there is the law to consider.  Anyone considering trying this, please check your state laws first.

[Micro]

As a matter of fact, I do hug my snakes elsewhere....

[SV1000]

SV1000- Your thread was obviously an honest question, not one designed to just stir the pot.  Hopefully some of the replies have helped you out.  Aside from the obvious debate of whether they make good bait or not, there is the law to consider.  Anyone considering trying this, please check your state laws first.

It sure was, and simply saying that bass don't feed on snakes would have been an intelligent response.

Instead, Micro tried to elevate his status on the internet by showing that he is an expert in his field at my expense. I am well educated and quite knowledgeable in my field; it required a five year professional degree, license and at this point almost twenty years of hard work to reach my level of knowledge and credibility. When people do not speak fluently in regards to my field of knowledge, and this happens frequently, I can educate them and correct them at the same time without being a pr!ck, I call that maturity.  

Time to go fishing!

SV  

[Grey Wolf]

I never tried real snakes for bass but I often use wild/stray cats for shark fishing. We hollow out a piece of stirofoam that slides over the cats head and can be fastened to the body to keep it from drowning. 1st we chum for the sharks with cut up bonita and other junk fish. When the sharks arrive, we toss out a kitty and then it's game on. Hold on tight.

We don't hook the cat with the 12/0 hooks because it hurts them while pushing it through their thigh. We rubberband the hooks to them instead. We go through about 7-10 cats per trip.

You are such a humanitarum for not running the hook through the cat's.

[Guest muddy]

Actually Micro is a pretty knowledable guy, who is not shy about sharing what he knows with us. I have to confess that I also sucx at first opinions and have tried to keep them to myself, my own crap got in the way between me and Micro, he knows a lot about snakes but nothing about fishing reels, ABU  GEZZZZZZZZ get a Pflueger already! ;D