Hannock

Btw, Sams always the first to comment/give advice in any of my threads. Cheers bud.

Or just don't lead them to the honey hole In Fred. a popular spot is Old Mill Park. Or if you have a boat, in downtown there's 'city dock' and you can head down river for some deep holes. Rappahannock is a beautiful river. Never could catch anything there consistently however.

Black max and silver max are good starters but if you enjoy the BC's, then you'll be upgrading relatively soon to better gear. Personally I like the Pro Max by Abu. I have the Vengeance rod like others have suggested, but honestly, the Vigilante rod (Walmart only Abu, $35) is my favorite.. Ha

Never been to the Pohick, but maybe now I'll check it out! Stafford County put in a sweet new kayak ramp on the Accokeek Creek down Brooke Road. Was scheduled to be open this spring IIRC but the gate was still closed when I checked it out a month ago. Maybe I'll drive over there tomorrow to see if anythings changed.

Let me know if you do. Would love to learn from the master. Are you on the docks across from the island? Theres a bend and a "no wake" sign there as well. When I roll through on my kayak I see one, sometimes two, people fishing on the docks.

I have a Pro Max LH that has a worn down pawl. I gambled when I ordered a Pro Max compatible pawl from ereplacementparts, but its too big. I can't figure out what model number I have either. After taking it apart and looking everywhere on the reel I see the numbers "1910" next to the gears and "LH 1911" inside the handle plate, "LH 1912" in the brake plate. There was a sticker with letters and number underneath the rod seat but they didn't match up with anything on the Abu website nor ereplacementparts. Are there any tricks that distinguish the different models?

I got strikes on every snakehead i saw cruising through the water with this lure. Some variation of the Heddon Zara Spook. Theres no brand name anywhere on it.

2am here now on Friday May 22. Decided late that I'm gonna go out. Hoping to get out around 5 am and fish until about 9 before I have to be at work at 11. A little windy now.. I hope that doesn't get in my way. Had steady rain throughout the day so I'm hoping that might've stirred up some activity. I went out Monday before the storm and I'm kicking myself for not turning the gopro on.. I figur d I was only going to get a couple casts in before the rain and don't want to bother with it. I ended up having the best afternoon this year.. I only landed one but should've had at least 5... But I'm optimistic because I found a new secret weapon. Some variation of a Zara Spook, I'll post a pic of it. Side-to-side bobbing action on the retrieve with 2 beads rattling was driving the SH insane. I was getting strikes on everyone I spotted. I landed my only one of the day on my 2nd cast. Then second strike I set the hook too soon which sent my bait flying into a tree. The third I didn't set the hook hard enough (in fear of breaking my line), it tossed my bait halfway through retrieve. The fourth one I landed, brought it up to the bank but when I jumped down there was a snake between my legs.. My lure popped out of the SH's mouth and it started flipping to get back in the water. I scrambled to try and grab it but they have a slimy coating and it slipped back into the water.. Was so mad. I learned my lesson that I always need to have my camera rolling. But I'm optimistic about the new lure I'm using. Here's hoping to another good day.

Gathering some GoPro footage to share my experiences.

Hey all, Thought I'd start a little thread to share my experiences on my favorite hole to fish for snakehead (and bass)! I've been trying to get out as often as I can which is about 1-2 times a week. I'm taking note of the time when I go out, tides, solunar cycle and when I see the most activity on the water. Snakeheads intrigue me and with such little information out there about them, I'm hoping my studies can help others catch them. I switch between two rods: Abu Garcia Silver Max on a 6'6" medium vigilante rod and an Abu Garcia Revo3 SX on a 6'6" medium vengeance rod. I use only a handful of baits which consist of top water frogs, chatterbaits and flukes. White and chartreuse seem to work the best, but I've gotten hits on watermelon, baby bass and natural shad colors. Thursday May 14th I went out around 2pm and fished until ~6:30pm. The weather was mild, mid 70 degrees with a some cloud coverage. The water was a little cloudy with about 6-10" visibility. High tide was at 4:10pm. When I first got down there I spotted two snakeheads patrolling a clearing between the lilies and started popping a frog slightly in front of where they were heading. They paid no attention to it and cruised right under it. It was too early in the day for the frog. I switched to a chatterbait with a paddle tail fluke trailer and couldn't get a reaction bite or anything on them. Over the course of the next few hours, there were maybe one or two more SH passing through but they paid no attention to my bait. At around 5:30pm (1.5 hours after high going out) I started to see a lot of activity. I saw 4-5 snakeheads every other minute within 20 yards cruising around. I switched to a fluke and was then I learned something. The fast, erratic jerking action of the fluke excited the snakeheads. Before I was fishing my bait slow but as soon as I sped up my retrieve I started getting bites. Right before sunset I nailed my first one. A young juvenile. About 5 mins later I hooked into quite possibly the biggest SH I ever (would've) caught. As I was reeling him in, my line caught caught on a small branch of a bush along the water. As I was pulling him to my right, he thrashed and broke my 20lb braided line.. It was around 21"-23" and 8-9lbs. I'm spooling 30lb power pro braided tonight. After that I took a break and tied on a white spinner bait with a black and red worm trailer. As soon as it hit the water I hooked into a nice 3lb bass. Literally as soon as it hit the water, it hit. I thought I was snagged on something.. Around 6:30 I was starting to get tired and for my "last cast" I put my frog back on as the sun was just setting. I did a 3 pop-pause retrieve and got a strike. I could see my frog on the corner of his mouth so I knew he kind of missed it. After a slight hesitation a tried to set the hook which sent my frog flying through the air. I'm not an expert by any means at catching snakehead but I'm starting to learn their tendencies and thought I'd share. Hope this becomes helpful to any aspiring snakehead anglers. One thing to note... Be very quiet when your moving around on the shore/boat. I was walking down to my spot and saw two close to the bank. I was about 6 feet away when I stepped on a twig and some dried leaves. *Snap!**Crunch!* Poof!! gone..

Ladies and Gents, It has begun.

There was a scientific study that found frogs weren't really in their diet. During spawn you can catch them on just about anything bc they're protecting their young. Frogs are probably easier (and way more fun) to use bc they'll blow up the surface in ambush. I had a lot of success last year with paddle tail flukes. Definitely my go to lure for them. When the lilies come in, I'll tie a frog on for a change of pace. They're mainly after small baitfish for food source but will attack just about anything else you throw during spawn.

Interesting. I've never heard of a drift sock. Thanks for the info! And at least fishing homework is enjoyable

Yes can confirm. Was out on the Aquia creek earlier today and saw them schooling.

Ended up going out today.. Hit up my favorite spot on the Aquia Creek. Would've been a beautiful day but the wind made it miserable. Couldn't complete a cast before I had to pick up my paddle and reposition myself. I was getting blown all over the place. Although, it was my first trip this year and in my new kayak. I went in not expecting to catch anything (and I didnt), but I learned some things that I need for my next trip when the weather is right and the fish are biting. I used the "2lb free weight and retractable dog leash" anchor and it worked better than expected. Now I need to make a pulley system so I can position myself with the weight. Also need to install a front rod holder, clamps for the paddle.. and get some tackle that fish will bite As a side note - the shad are running through.

yes doctors, you explained perfectly how i feel.. Whats the treatment* to my diagnosis? edit*

Ive been itching like crazy these past few weekends to take my new kayak out. Lately it seems my days off have had crappy weather, while every other day it's beautiful out. Here in VA were going to have a 30 degree night, while tomorrow will be breezy (10mph winds, 18 gusts). Do I take the chance and take the boat out? I feel I'm going to get blown all over the place and it's an hour drive to my honey hole.. Should I wait another week?

Appreciate it Sam. Yeah I know the inn well. My gf works there. Trying to convince them to put the snakehead I catch on the menu.. I have some fond memories tearing up the shad during the run. It's definitely well worth it when they're coming through. Lines tight every cast. Thanks for the resources. I'll share my experiences when I get out there.

IIRC, the shad normally run up the rappahannock around this time of year to spawn with striper trailing them. I normally hit up Old Mill Park in Fredericksburg and fish up towards the Embrey Mill Dam. Has anyone been out there lately or have any info on the run? For all I know I could've missed it. Just curious as I live out in the mountains now and it's hard to get back east often enough as I'd like.

This is a shot in the dark, but there are only 2 public places in Stafford to put your boat in (Willow Landing and Hope Springs). They both charge $15/$20 respectively. I'm looking to drop my kayak in, in-and-out in like 5 mins. I don't even need to use the dock. Does anyone know of a spot on the Aquia to put a kayak in? Lately I've been going to Government Island, but I have to carry my gear about 400 yards before I get to a good spot to launch.

Snakeheads are still in there thick though.. I mean on average they lay about 50,000 eggs, multiple times a year.. 30 a boat would do immediate damage but I don't think it has much of an impact to the overall decline. Of course.. A beaver blowing up your spot also doesn't help.. d**n thing splashin every 15 min circling around you was upsetting me.. :/ was my first time fishing in the dead of night with some miserable rainy conditions. Came home empty handed. I was very successful last year during the tropical storm we had blow through. But that was in the middle of the day. Thought the night would make them more active but no luck.

Sorry I forgot to update after the trip.. though doesnt look like anyone was was anxious to hear a report. Got out at sunrise. Perfect conditions to fish. No wind, water was calm. Water was not too clear and not to murky. Lily pads were there but not too thick which made for easy casting between them. Was out there for about 4 hours and caught the one and only snakehead for the day. But it was quite possibly the largest I've caught to date. Decent activity in the water too. Going out again tomorrow morning. Though looks like steady rain, it might make for a good day for fishing.

4:50 Am here and I just woke my gf up for some "spur of the moment" fishing. Revisiting my favorite holes on the Aquia Creek for some snakehead and bass. Will report when we get back.

A buddy and I are trying to hit up Lake Anna on Tuesday or Wednesday. I've been researching spots to hit up and catch some rockfish but its raining in VA today through possibly tommorow. Was wondering if anyone could shed some light on how that could affect the fishing. Has anyone been to Anna lately? Thanks!

Found this old rod in the storage room of my apartment. I dont think its anything special but I'm curious if anyone can identify it. Must not be very good if there isn't a brand plastered in plain view ("Made in China"). The tip is broken off but I figured I could repair that easily. The only thing recognizable is "XC16-355" along the side, almost like thats the brand name or something.