Snakehead Whisperer

It never ceases to amaze me how few people target and go after bowfin (mudfish, etc.) They are very similar to snakehead in many ways, including their brute strength and good fighting abilities (as well being obligate air breathers, parental care for their young, and striking moving targets with reckless abandon.) They're plentiful in NC, and Greensboro is right in the heart of big bowfin country... have you no interest in catching them? Just curious. I think they provide the same quality fishery as snakehead. I wish we had bowfin up here, but they are extremely scarce in these parts. Closest good bowfin fishing to me is the Rappahannock River which is a 90 minute drive from home. I'll still make the drive at least once this year to get at some bowfin.

Check out tackleunderground.com. Everything you need to get started will be in the 'Wire Baits' section of the forum. (Please read what's already there. e.g. Don't just join the site and post a thread with a generic question like this one. Use the search feature and read.) If you're seriously going to make your own spinnerbaits, it is going to require forming wire and melting/pouring molten lead. If you are trying to make inline spinners or the like you don't need the lead molding stuff, but you'll still need a wire former or a good set of pliers and a strong steady hand (and lots of patience.)

You mean junk fishing? I tend to think of myself as versatile, but more so in an experimental way. I'll try any lure/technique, and I'll try work it until my hands are sore... but if it doesn't produce I shelf it. I'll eventually try it again, but usually not until I'm facing a skunk day on the water or if I'm fishing with a person who excels at the technique who can school me (wild card: there are also textbook examples of times when certain baits excel above others. I never caught a fish on a wakebait until I learned to fish one in late spring, for instance.) There is a time and place for everything, and I've seen good fish caught on some unlikely rigs. With that said, I think versatility is crucial to being a well rounded angler. There are some times that fish will only go for certain presentations, and if an angler doesn't have it in their bag of tricks then they are not catching fish. On the other side of the same token, I think it's crucial to have a solid crankbait game (or jigs, or dropshot, etc., etc.) These techniques require a good deal of practice and dedication that is somewhat specialized. Balance is the key.

Not really. Snakeheads are tough, but not that tough If you meant to go fight snakeheads fishing with some Marines, then yes.

I'm not entirely sure. I keep in touch with those guys from time to time and I did give them the photo to do with as they wish, but they chose to use it without my knowing. I take my snakehead fishing pretty seriously, but then again I'm not a fanatic like some of these guys out here (have other fish to stalk, like smallies.) It wasn't until a friend emailed me the link that I saw it The wifey thinks it's funny too and says that I'm the ambassador/poster child for snakehead fishing in Maryland. Too funny.

This article covers it in some detail, but not a complete study by any means. *PDF file* Living Together: Largemouth Bass and Northern Snakehead

I've heard that the area around the water treatment plant in Philly on the Delaware river is a good spot. There have been several confirmed catches in this area in the last year (not bowfin.)

Releasing snakeheads is legal AFAIK in Virginia only (and possibly DC.) In Maryland you must dispatch the fish immediately, however. Transporting live snakeheads over state lines is a violation of federal law. This includes fish caught and kept in a livewell or bait bucket. @BassguyTom... What are you waiting for? Go get 'em

I'm assuming that they're northern snakehead (channa argus) if in PA. Snakehead and bass can coexist with little negative impact on either species. They both eat each others young, and have similar diets as adults. It's not good that the snakeheads are proliferating like they are, but much of the media hype is just that (hype.) They are only fish and far less destructive than grass carp, for instance. They make great table fare too. Here on the Potomac we are more negatively impacted by the presence of the blue and flathead catfish than we are the snakehead. There are numerous factors that come into play (like water quality, etc.) but the bass fishing has been better here on the Potomac than it has in many years... and this is after the introduction of the northern snakehead. Bottom line is that it would be better if they weren't here, but they are. The fish have found an ecological niche and they have filled it without destroying everything (or eating anybody's babies for that matter )

I saw the thumbnail for this video on youtube and it looked like he was using light wire hooks... I was wrong.

I use 8lb. co-poly for for most applications.

This one is a bit more brutal.

What these guys said... and they're a bit harder to put on a bait too.

Never used it before, so I don't know (usually use red label Seaguar.) I've heard many times though that it's called Vanish because the fish just seem to Vanish once they're hooked I assume folks are talking about breakage or knot strength. I'd try it if it were me. Maybe test the breakage and knot with a scale if you have one handy, so you can set your drag accordingly.

Way to go. I bet those sunnies fight like a tarpon on that setup he has (especially when you're 5.)

Right now is trophy snakehead season if you can find them. The big mamas are out there and feeding as I type this, in slightly deeper water than their summer haunts.

Welcome to the site man. Not sure about locations in SC, but the articles/posts on this site will help arm you with the knowledge to find them.

Welcome to the site Chris. I'm happy to hear that you returned to fishing, as there's no shortage of good fishing in the DMV.

Sounds painful. I worked at a Benjamin Moore paint store when I was a teenager and learned how to eye match colors from an old timer. I think that people tend to over complicate this and are oblivious to the fact that color is a science and results will never vary (e.g. yellow and blue make green, period.) I was taught with a simple color wheel. Off whites were always the most challenging colors to match with the type of paints we were mixing.

BPS The Egg is probably the best wakebait on the market today. The hooks are garbage though, so change them out if you fish this lure.

I'd like to think that I can cast 100 yards, but I can't substantiate that. If I can cast 100 yards it would definitely be on my Abu C3 with a larger crankbait.

Thanks man. I know some serious artists who use Paasche stuff (but most that I know of use the Iwatas.) I first decided to make my own lures because I wasn't able to find very many lure manufacturers that built non-standard stuff (for instance, it's really difficult to find silent/rattle-less crankbaits generally speaking.) It's been an uphill climb and I've had more than my fair share of lures that blow out when I test them on the water. Deep divers are especially difficult to make. I used hand tools for everything up until last year. Judging by the crankbaits I've seen that you painted I can tell you have a good eye and a steady hand. There's not much else needed to build them from scratch (well, a lot of patience helps.) If you're half as good with tools as you are with the airbrush I'm sure you could create some top-shelf baits. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

True. This guy and the reel are peerless.

While they look very similar, technically rock bass and warmouth are from a different genus.

Fill a garbage bag with leaves or soil, place it on some dirt and leave it sit in the same place for a couple of weeks. Pick it up and collect them in broad daylight (along with some slugs if you so choose.) It might also be a good idea to cull some from store bought bait to get started with your farm, although that might take the fun out of it. I know that's how the walleye guys breed the really fat ones.