10-25-2011, 05:55 PM
You'll find the snakehead in common areas you would find any other predatory fish. Just make sure you don't confuse them with the native Bowfin, or around here, we call it a mudfish.
In regards to steel leaders, that's most certainly not necessary. Look at the definition of a snake heads teeth. They are long and pointy, versus shorter with a long cutting edge. The snake heads teeth are designed to grip for swallowing whole; where as it's not equiped to cut or rip pieces of flesh off would-be prey. keep that in mind when you fish for them, as a bait too large would more than likely deter them from biting, and on a hard day, they would most likely shy away from a bulky and easily seen steel leader. I'd probably use a carolina style rig with a fluorocarbon leader, and fresh cut bait. Snakeheads are not sensless eating machines. Be prepared to implement specific tactics in regards to your surroundings, and be prepared to down size tackle to tempt bites.
In regards to keeping them and such, regardless, NEVER let any of them loose to swim another day. I suspect your local Department of Natural Resources would like a count, and maybe a few specimens for research purposes. But, someone mentioned "only keeping what they'll eat." Well, that's a fine and admirable way of looking at things, but in this case, they all need to be removed and youthinized. Simply tossing them up on the bank is just fine, but i'd put my fillet knife through thier head first. They will not go to waste. Coyotes, foxs, wild pigs, and what ever else will make sure of this. Letting them go is the abosolute worst thing you can do, regardless of what your belief system is.
I wish you luck, but don't set your goal too high. Unless you have a particular hot spot for snakeheads, you may find them more of a challenge than you think. But, i hope you remove a bunch of them. Luckily, i've never seen a snakehead in our local waters; and i hope I never do.
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In regards to steel leaders, that's most certainly not necessary. Look at the definition of a snake heads teeth. They are long and pointy, versus shorter with a long cutting edge. The snake heads teeth are designed to grip for swallowing whole; where as it's not equiped to cut or rip pieces of flesh off would-be prey. keep that in mind when you fish for them, as a bait too large would more than likely deter them from biting, and on a hard day, they would most likely shy away from a bulky and easily seen steel leader. I'd probably use a carolina style rig with a fluorocarbon leader, and fresh cut bait. Snakeheads are not sensless eating machines. Be prepared to implement specific tactics in regards to your surroundings, and be prepared to down size tackle to tempt bites.
In regards to keeping them and such, regardless, NEVER let any of them loose to swim another day. I suspect your local Department of Natural Resources would like a count, and maybe a few specimens for research purposes. But, someone mentioned "only keeping what they'll eat." Well, that's a fine and admirable way of looking at things, but in this case, they all need to be removed and youthinized. Simply tossing them up on the bank is just fine, but i'd put my fillet knife through thier head first. They will not go to waste. Coyotes, foxs, wild pigs, and what ever else will make sure of this. Letting them go is the abosolute worst thing you can do, regardless of what your belief system is.
I wish you luck, but don't set your goal too high. Unless you have a particular hot spot for snakeheads, you may find them more of a challenge than you think. But, i hope you remove a bunch of them. Luckily, i've never seen a snakehead in our local waters; and i hope I never do.
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