BassintheGrass

The cooperative at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va supports none of what Brian_Va states regarding the snakeheads current existance in the tidal ecosystem. They have contain themselves and are not being contained by the artifical boundaries of Great falls or salt water as Brian-Va contains. Its a logical arguement but not supported by those studying the increased tidal density of the snakehead population which has tripled its grounds or habitat in the Potmac River system in less than two years. The more they reproduce the less source of feed their will be to sustain such a population and they will like all predators move into new waters whatever way possoble. Rumors have it the reason why BASS has not scheduled a major Elite event over this year or next two years is precisely the issue of the snakehead and the requirement of killing them upon catch. Wouldn't that be great on ESPN to see, Elite fisherman killing fish on board. Losing these tourneys will force places like La Plata who will feel the economic impact demand action. IT may take some time but it will come as citizens and business in these areas will suffer without these lucrative tourny trail draws.

There is little need for these ultra-predators to move and find new grounds unless they are deprived of feeding areas which currently has not happened given the square miles of water you are referring to in the tidal Potomac. They will destroy the fishery, especially the ability for spawning flats to successfully produce fish over the next few years for quality fishing in 2012-16. To say they are trapped is a misnomer. These fish have contained themselves and once they have depleted resources they will move on to new waters. This movement will be or could be assisted by any natural event like hurricanes or flooding. Reports are also on the rise in MD by the way in the creeks. My guess is these fish are being seen and caught in the shallow creeks in large quanity which mankes many to conclude they are not present in the depp water of the channels. This is of course not true. I caught quite a few in twenty plus feet and afterward check electronics and found them stacked up all over the line, either they were all snakeheads or they were feeding on a school, but after landing four in succession I gave up. All were properly per VA codes killed and iced. Largest was almost six pounds.

Not sure I agree with Brain_Va. The Potomac, especially the VA side is being overrun in areas now like Aqui Creek. A 9# snakehead was just taken there. Many of my spots along the Va side have been overrun by snakeheads forcing the bass out of the grasslines. I have also noticed that they are impacting the shallow water bite and not the channel bite. If the snakeheads remain tight to shore and locate in five feet or less they will destroy the system as well as creat an very serious issue with regard to spawning areas. I agree with the view that there should be an incentive created to remove these snakeheads from the fishery, either by commercial means or some reward. The State (VA) has been active in the awareness side but I am not sure there has been alot of effort in the removal of the specie. I liken it to how the State derals with excessive grass in areas and introduces the grass carp to curb growth to promote the overall fishery system, well if nothing is done with regard to the snakehead in the Potomac the result will be devastating to the system. It will only take one flood the likes of the MIdwest this year to have these fish intoduced to the James River, Rappahannock, Pamunky, Chickahominy and many of the other feeder and tributary waters sitting between the Potomac and Piedmont Va.

It seems to me that we need to become the predator in terms of Snakeheads. They are on the rise here in Virginia in the Potomac and we basically kill the snakehead on board and throw it in a cooler and call the VDIGF. Places like along the Potomac and its creeks are full of them. I wish that the game department and both VA and MD would somehow create a rewards program for removing the snakehead. I really would not care if they made it an industry if those Japanese who tend to ove the snakehead so much wanted to buy them. I think they should take anegative and turn it into a positve , to a point. We certainly do not want to see this become a harvest industry but these fish are beginning to destroy habitats. Not only bass but also channel catfish in the rivers. The reproduction rates are crazy so we have to do something. Some of my best spots on the Potomac have been overrun by them and most likely the snakeheads have cleaned out the honey holes for good now.

Weedsnager, Bamabass here is a good start. The site to look at some of their custom colors is www.bobanddereckscustomlures.com . You can send them your cranks and have them done once you determine a scheme you want. Good luck.