Lately where I have been fishing which is Pasco County/Tampa Bay Area when it comes to freshwater lakes their is a massive problem with snakeheads... some lakes seem "empty" of fish except for that occasional snakehead that will snap your line... what is going on?

It's what happens when non native species are introduced to a body of water without the proper research being done to them. In this specific case, the snakeheads are an apex predator. As far as I know, other than the occasional gator, maybe a turtle, or larger bird of prey, they don't have many predators outside of man. They breed fast, have oodles of fry, and not many things screw with them. Pretty simple math right there.

Get rid of them as far as I'm concerned.

I'm afraid they have contained every body of water in a HUGE area. We had to two main rivers converge and break a 100 year flood plan which had 1/2 the county underwater. Even before that about summer of 2011, I noticed how some great lakes for bass turned into nothing but snakehead lakes..

Thank god there are no snakeheads in any of the ponds I fish not that I know of anyway

It's what happens when non native species are introduced to a body of water without the proper research being done to them. In this specific case, the snakeheads are an apex predator. As far as I know, other than the occasional gator, maybe a turtle, or larger bird of prey, they don't have many predators outside of man. They breed fast, have oodles of fry, and not many things screw with them. Pretty simple math right there.

Get rid of them as far as I'm concerned.

That scenario is what CAN happen when invasive species are introduced. It doesn't always happen. Up here in Virginia/Maryland we have Northern Snakeheads which are bigger than the bulls eyes you guys have down there. They have fit into the ecosystem of the Potomac river pretty well without disturbing the rest of the fish very much (at least as of now, roughly 10 years after they were first discovered in the system)

Maybe the other fish have gone deeper since it's been hot? You also said occasional.

Just get some tougher line, catch them bad boys, and eat them. Good stuff right there.

Glad to say I have seen none in my area of Palm Beach County. When it comes to freshwater fishing I much prefer bass and peacocks.

I don't know about anyone else, but I would not eat anything out of those disgusting canals, I really don't even enjoy fishing in them. Road runoff, pesticides from golf courses, farming, garbage and all kinds of debris floating around.

808 Bass, great question.

I discussed the snakehead problem with two fisheries biologists from the federal government at the Boy Scout Jamboree at A.P. Hill and they told me the question about the snakeheads destroynig fisheries was still up in the air.

Research is being conducted to try to determine if the snakeheads do injure local species and if so, what is the damage.

The guys at the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries say to kill everyone you catch. I think the Virginia DG&IF is also studying the snakehead problem.

I was informed that only a long and hard freeze would kill off many of the snakeheads. It seems that when there is a drought or the waters in the Virgiia rivers are low the snakeheads bury themselves in the bottom mud and will survive the low water conditions.

About 20+ years ago it got so cold in Virginia that you could walk out into the York River on the ice. This is the type of winter cold temperatures we need in Virginia and Maryland to help destroy the snakehead population.

I must add that catching snakeheads is fun. They fight hard until they get next to the boat and give up.

But they have to go. One way or the other, they have to go.

Ok thanks Sam.

So if I decide to go on a snakehead trip would chicken liver be the best bait?

Topwater baits are the best. Run a soft plastic frog on the surface near the shoreline. You will see the torpedo wake coming, then the strike, then hold on to the ride.

What I find so interesting is, if many years ago you wished there was a new fish that was easy to catch, using simple baits, was a fantastic fighter, grew to 10 lbs and was delicious to eat, we all would have wanted them!.....Well here they are boys! Always be careful for what you wish for...LOL