Snakehead next big game fish?

patchino22 · 07-13-07, 09:26 AM

I read an article in the Washington Post the other day about a couple guys on the Potomac River who are now exclusively fishing for Snakeheads. They want to turn Snakehead fishing into sport. I am not sure how I feel about this and want to hear everyone else's opinion on that. Feel free to post away.

On a side note, I have read that these Snakeheads are expected to run rampant and dominate the fish population. Some reasons for this are that they spawn 5 times a year and eat just about everything. I can see the spawning pattern helping them dominate, but these things just look like a glorified black fish to me......and black fish eat all kinds of stuff to. Do you think there is any comparison?

Here is a link to the articel I read. I would like to hear your thoughts.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...070501285.html

thebus71h · 07-13-07, 09:53 AM

As a snake hater, I say catch every last freakin' one of them, and get rid of them.

3dkicker · 07-13-07, 09:55 AM

"Snakehead Guide Service" - remember this date because I've named it first!!!

I've seen one snakehead while fishing and only one that was weighed in and killed. If you have any concerns contact John Odenkirk of the VGIF. He's been studying them for years. Seems the bass really love the young snakies but the snakies don't eat (many) bass but mostly sunfish and other species. Also the birds of prey: eagles, osprey, cormorants, herons, kingfishers, are all doing very well on the river. Snakeheads must breath every couple minutes and have to come to the surface. If they are in shallow clear water, which they prefer, then they're going to be bird food. I also understand they don't like salt water so a drought or two will really hurt them.

bassthumb32 · 07-13-07, 10:36 AM

i hate snakeheads they could become a real problem.

WTL · 07-13-07, 10:36 AM

By definition snakeheads should not be a game fish. I'm glad that apparently there are people who enjoy catching them, and I hope that they develope a taste for slitting their throats as well. Even if they do just eat bream or crappie or shad, that will have a bad effect for us.

Look at south florida and all the crazy tropical species showing up down there. Its screwing things up. We should do our best to slow down the rate at which these new species proliferate, even if pandoras box has been opened.

leroy · 07-13-07, 10:48 AM

Looks like a glorified Eel to me. Seems dangerous to the ecosystem as well. But how would you get rid of all of them?

Wishing2BFishing · 07-13-07, 11:44 AM

Some of the tackle shops/outdoor stores in my area offer rewards for catching and killing these fish. I think Cabela's even ran some type of catch and reward system for these fish not too long ago.

Captmikestarrett · 07-13-07, 12:37 PM

Like it or not they are here to stay..

They can grow to three feet and take topwater baits in shallow water...

They leap and fight very well...

They taste good...

They make pregnent women have male babies...

When they become a 1 snakehead to 1 LGMouth catch ratio I will name my guide service Mongoose Charters..

Remember that they put LGMouth in lakes in Japan to control the snakeheads..

Capt Mike

bassfisher02 · 07-13-07, 12:59 PM

I have no problem with people catching them for fun, as long as they dont go back in the water. Cut their heads off and throw them on shore for an easy meal, or if they taste good take them home and eat them up. Just dont put them back in the water.

scrap · 07-13-07, 02:31 PM

which is it? bass eat snakeheads? snakeheads eat bass? is the snakehead the villian that we all despise and hate to see proliferate?
what is the real truth behind the snakehead?

bassfisher02 · 07-13-07, 02:43 PM

It is said that bass eat small snakeheads, and that snakeheads do not eat bass... which is odd, they eat every other type of fish, why not bass? But the problem with snakeheads are that they are intrusive species, that multiply faster than any other fish, and eat many types of fish. The threat of snakeheads depleting baitfish for bass and other large gamefish is what is concerning.

3dkicker · 07-13-07, 02:55 PM

A snakehead will eat a bass if given the opportunity but in all the testing done (as told to me this past winter by J. Odenkirk) no bass were found in the stomachs of the snakeheads caught and killed on the Potomac river. Sorry if I mis-stated in the previous post. I've made a correction.
These fish are very similar to bowfin or grendel which exist with bass on many bodies of water here in VA. I don't know the reproductive habits of bowfin but the two fish, bowfin and snakehead, seem to be very similar (live in shallow water, feed aggressively, fight like mad, bust up tackle, and slime your deck). Normally when we fish the Chick River or Lake we have a side competition to see who can bring in a big bowfin. Anything under 8lbs is called a baby and ridiculed.

patchino22 · 07-13-07, 04:17 PM

3d kicker--the bowfin comparison is exactly what I was looking for. Many people call them Black Fish here in NC. But the snakehead is very similar to the bowfin (like you stated), and I dont see that the bowfin has ruined bass fishing in the spots I have fished. Of course, I am not sure if the bowfin reproduces at the same rate.......5 spawns a year is a lot. Wish the bass spawned that many times a year....fishing would be awesome. Anyway, I am interested in comparing the bowfin to the snakehead.

Rebbasser · 07-13-07, 07:26 PM

That right there is the fishing version of being handed a bunch of lemons and making lemonade. People fish for carp and gar, why not snakeheads?

WTL · 07-14-07, 03:05 PM

The problem with the snakehead as opposed to gar or bowfin (not so much carp) is that it is a non-native species. As such, there is a potential uncertainty as to what effect it will have when transplanted into new ecosystems. Predicting what will happen is gonna be as difficult as guessing what would have happened with zebra mussels, hyrdilla or tilapia. In some cases, the species assimilates quite nicely, in some it can't really compete and does nothing and in others it become an ecological disaster. It is our duty as sportsmen to make sure that that last possiblity does not happen.

3dkicker · 07-15-07, 09:12 PM

Anyone witness the Asian Carp personally???? Better yet, anyone injured by one???

Bass'n'cast · 07-18-07, 04:42 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS7zk...elated&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ChwJiKKBdA&NR=1
vid now if only we could build a wall and stop the fish immigration..hmmm...JK

jooleyen · 07-18-07, 05:13 PM

The fish are trying to take humans over. If only bass would do that.

bassfisher02 · 07-18-07, 09:37 PM

Thats actually some serious stuff. One of those things that are a very real problem, but most people dont worry too much about... kinda like global warming.

Super Fluke · 07-18-07, 11:30 PM

I want to catch some of those, they look cool.

bothomas · 07-19-07, 08:21 PM

looks like some of my buddies that bowfish need to take a trip!!!!

BigBassin144 · 07-28-07, 10:30 PM

http://fisc.er.usgs.gov/Snakehead_ci...tml/flyer.html

There's a link with a lot of info about Snakeheads.

Hope this helps.

CLENSKH · 07-31-07, 03:53 PM

OMg what an ugly fish snake thing! Glad we dont have them in cali!

leroy · 08-01-07, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfisher02

Thats actually some serious stuff. One of those things that are a very real problem, but most people dont worry too much about... kinda like global warming.

Global Warming... what a farse.

bassfisher02 · 08-01-07, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leroy

Global Warming... what a farse.

Yeah, thats why Florida is consitently getting hotter each year, and ocean levels are rising, but yeah, all a 'farse.'

07-13-07, 09:26 AM	#1
patchino22 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 116	Snakehead next big game fish? I read an article in the Washington Post the other day about a couple guys on the Potomac River who are now exclusively fishing for Snakeheads. They want to turn Snakehead fishing into sport. I am not sure how I feel about this and want to hear everyone else's opinion on that. Feel free to post away. On a side note, I have read that these Snakeheads are expected to run rampant and dominate the fish population. Some reasons for this are that they spawn 5 times a year and eat just about everything. I can see the spawning pattern helping them dominate, but these things just look like a glorified black fish to me......and black fish eat all kinds of stuff to. Do you think there is any comparison? Here is a link to the articel I read. I would like to hear your thoughts. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...070501285.html

07-13-07, 09:53 AM	#2
thebus71h BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Liberty, IN Posts: 135	As a snake hater, I say catch every last freakin' one of them, and get rid of them. __________________ Billy Rowlee #71h

07-13-07, 09:55 AM	#3
3dkicker BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Spotsylvania, VA Posts: 4,483	"Snakehead Guide Service" - remember this date because I've named it first!!! I've seen one snakehead while fishing and only one that was weighed in and killed. If you have any concerns contact John Odenkirk of the VGIF. He's been studying them for years. Seems the bass really love the young snakies but the snakies don't eat (many) bass but mostly sunfish and other species. Also the birds of prey: eagles, osprey, cormorants, herons, kingfishers, are all doing very well on the river. Snakeheads must breath every couple minutes and have to come to the surface. If they are in shallow clear water, which they prefer, then they're going to be bird food. I also understand they don't like salt water so a drought or two will really hurt them. __________________ Smitty www.smittystubes.com Last edited by 3dkicker; 07-13-07 at 02:56 PM.

07-13-07, 10:36 AM	#4
bassthumb32 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fort Loudon, PA Posts: 682	i hate snakeheads they could become a real problem. __________________ MY LIFETIME GOAL IS TO KEEP AT LEAST A SMALL CASE OF BASSTHUMB FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

07-13-07, 10:36 AM	#5
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	By definition snakeheads should not be a game fish. I'm glad that apparently there are people who enjoy catching them, and I hope that they develope a taste for slitting their throats as well. Even if they do just eat bream or crappie or shad, that will have a bad effect for us. Look at south florida and all the crazy tropical species showing up down there. Its screwing things up. We should do our best to slow down the rate at which these new species proliferate, even if pandoras box has been opened. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

07-13-07, 10:48 AM	#6
leroy BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 212	Looks like a glorified Eel to me. Seems dangerous to the ecosystem as well. But how would you get rid of all of them?

07-13-07, 11:44 AM	#7
Wishing2BFishing BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Morgantown, Pa Posts: 1,254	Some of the tackle shops/outdoor stores in my area offer rewards for catching and killing these fish. I think Cabela's even ran some type of catch and reward system for these fish not too long ago.

07-13-07, 12:37 PM	#8
Captmikestarrett BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accokeek MD Posts: 3,315	Like it or not they are here to stay.. They can grow to three feet and take topwater baits in shallow water... They leap and fight very well... They taste good... They make pregnent women have male babies... When they become a 1 snakehead to 1 LGMouth catch ratio I will name my guide service Mongoose Charters.. Remember that they put LGMouth in lakes in Japan to control the snakeheads.. Capt Mike __________________ Capt Mike Starrett light tackle guide Potomac River http://www.indianheadcharters.com

07-13-07, 12:59 PM	#9
bassfisher02 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 4,765	I have no problem with people catching them for fun, as long as they dont go back in the water. Cut their heads off and throw them on shore for an easy meal, or if they taste good take them home and eat them up. Just dont put them back in the water. __________________ Good Fishin'

07-13-07, 02:31 PM	#10
scrap BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 217	snake heads which is it? bass eat snakeheads? snakeheads eat bass? is the snakehead the villian that we all despise and hate to see proliferate? what is the real truth behind the snakehead?

07-13-07, 02:43 PM	#11
bassfisher02 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 4,765	It is said that bass eat small snakeheads, and that snakeheads do not eat bass... which is odd, they eat every other type of fish, why not bass? But the problem with snakeheads are that they are intrusive species, that multiply faster than any other fish, and eat many types of fish. The threat of snakeheads depleting baitfish for bass and other large gamefish is what is concerning. __________________ Good Fishin'

07-13-07, 02:55 PM	#12
3dkicker BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Spotsylvania, VA Posts: 4,483	A snakehead will eat a bass if given the opportunity but in all the testing done (as told to me this past winter by J. Odenkirk) no bass were found in the stomachs of the snakeheads caught and killed on the Potomac river. Sorry if I mis-stated in the previous post. I've made a correction. These fish are very similar to bowfin or grendel which exist with bass on many bodies of water here in VA. I don't know the reproductive habits of bowfin but the two fish, bowfin and snakehead, seem to be very similar (live in shallow water, feed aggressively, fight like mad, bust up tackle, and slime your deck). Normally when we fish the Chick River or Lake we have a side competition to see who can bring in a big bowfin. Anything under 8lbs is called a baby and ridiculed. __________________ Smitty www.smittystubes.com

07-13-07, 04:17 PM	#13
patchino22 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 116	3d kicker--the bowfin comparison is exactly what I was looking for. Many people call them Black Fish here in NC. But the snakehead is very similar to the bowfin (like you stated), and I dont see that the bowfin has ruined bass fishing in the spots I have fished. Of course, I am not sure if the bowfin reproduces at the same rate.......5 spawns a year is a lot. Wish the bass spawned that many times a year....fishing would be awesome. Anyway, I am interested in comparing the bowfin to the snakehead.

07-13-07, 07:26 PM	#14
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	That right there is the fishing version of being handed a bunch of lemons and making lemonade. People fish for carp and gar, why not snakeheads? __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

07-14-07, 03:05 PM	#15
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	The problem with the snakehead as opposed to gar or bowfin (not so much carp) is that it is a non-native species. As such, there is a potential uncertainty as to what effect it will have when transplanted into new ecosystems. Predicting what will happen is gonna be as difficult as guessing what would have happened with zebra mussels, hyrdilla or tilapia. In some cases, the species assimilates quite nicely, in some it can't really compete and does nothing and in others it become an ecological disaster. It is our duty as sportsmen to make sure that that last possiblity does not happen. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

07-15-07, 09:12 PM	#16
3dkicker BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Spotsylvania, VA Posts: 4,483	Anyone witness the Asian Carp personally???? Better yet, anyone injured by one??? __________________ Smitty www.smittystubes.com

07-18-07, 04:42 PM	#17
Bass'n'cast BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 112	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS7zk...elated&search= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ChwJiKKBdA&NR=1 vid now if only we could build a wall and stop the fish immigration..hmmm...JK Last edited by Bass'n'cast; 07-18-07 at 04:52 PM.

07-18-07, 05:13 PM	#18
jooleyen BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,509	The fish are trying to take humans over. If only bass would do that.

07-18-07, 09:37 PM	#19
bassfisher02 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 4,765	Thats actually some serious stuff. One of those things that are a very real problem, but most people dont worry too much about... kinda like global warming. __________________ Good Fishin'

07-18-07, 11:30 PM	#20
Super Fluke BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jupiter Posts: 1,029	I want to catch some of those, they look cool. __________________ Oregon state record smallmouth

07-19-07, 08:21 PM	#21
bothomas BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Huntsville, Al. Posts: 220	looks like some of my buddies that bowfish need to take a trip!!!!

07-28-07, 10:30 PM	#22
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	http://fisc.er.usgs.gov/Snakehead_ci...tml/flyer.html There's a link with a lot of info about Snakeheads. Hope this helps. __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

07-31-07, 03:53 PM	#23
CLENSKH BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nor-Cal Posts: 116	OMg what an ugly fish snake thing! Glad we dont have them in cali! __________________ OOOHHHHHHH SOWN!!!!!!!! THATS A 3,4,6,8,12 POUNDER!

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