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Hey everyone!
It’s me Bodfish from Southern California. Im here in Baltimore Maryland working, and at every opportunity investigating the local fishery. I have been able over the last few months to fish for an amazing new (to me) species that is as exciting as it is controversial. The Northern Snakehead.
When i first arrived here i went directly to the nearest tackle store as i usually do to get some intel. I was fortunate enough to find Tochtermans. An amazing tackle store proudly owned and operated by the same family for the last 102 years! The gents there spoke of the trout fishing on the Gunpowder River, hickory shad below the Conowingo dam, stripers, and numerous species of catfish,…. And then one of the younger employees mentioned the Snakehead and my curiosity was peaked. The older fellas just sniffed and went about other business while the youngster filled me in about the fabled fish, finally handing me a name and number to call if i wanted a guided trip.
I called and set up my trip with Lowland Outfitters, and the following Saturday afternoon i was paddling in my own NuCanoe fishing kayak along side Matt Fletcher my guide.
We fished in the peaty dark waters of the Black Water Nature Preserve some hour and a half southeast of Baltimore. Beautiful and vast marsh and tidal estuary waters no more than 6-7 feet deep at their deepest teeming with all types of warm water species. We fished against the clumped edges of the marsh grass in water 2 to 0 feet deep. We were casting to the edges with soft plastic paddle foot frogs and retrieving them slowly back. Long story short i was bit twice on that trip but could not put the hook to them. But,.. the bites were violent, and in such shallow water resulted in huge boils, and noise. I was hooked. Over the next month or two and 4 or 5 more trips i have learned to appreciate this new fish and would rather pursue it almost more than anything else at present. They are mean, extremely violent when they strike, they fight very hard, and because of their teeth, are a bit risky to handle, the smaller ones are beautifully colored, the big ones are black and ugly….they are fantastic. Perhaps the most fun thing about them is they love to eat the frog! Oh, and here is a final bonus…. THEY ARE BY FAR, THE BEST EATING FRESHWATER FISH I HAVE EVER EATEN!!! It is encouraged by most, including the wildlife management in Maryland, to eat the Snakehead rather than release it. But the fishes popularity and now value as an important asset to the sport fishery in this area, has divided the eco conscious fisherman and a growing contingent of catch and release snakehead fans. So the Dragon, (a Snakehead at least 30” long) is very abundant, and becoming ever more popular. I am a huge fan of the fish, and hope i get few more shots at them before i have to go.
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That’s my almost Dragon, 29 1/2” , 8lb
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That’s Matt, with his personal best, 34”, 11lb Dragon
It’s me Bodfish from Southern California. Im here in Baltimore Maryland working, and at every opportunity investigating the local fishery. I have been able over the last few months to fish for an amazing new (to me) species that is as exciting as it is controversial. The Northern Snakehead.
When i first arrived here i went directly to the nearest tackle store as i usually do to get some intel. I was fortunate enough to find Tochtermans. An amazing tackle store proudly owned and operated by the same family for the last 102 years! The gents there spoke of the trout fishing on the Gunpowder River, hickory shad below the Conowingo dam, stripers, and numerous species of catfish,…. And then one of the younger employees mentioned the Snakehead and my curiosity was peaked. The older fellas just sniffed and went about other business while the youngster filled me in about the fabled fish, finally handing me a name and number to call if i wanted a guided trip.
I called and set up my trip with Lowland Outfitters, and the following Saturday afternoon i was paddling in my own NuCanoe fishing kayak along side Matt Fletcher my guide.
We fished in the peaty dark waters of the Black Water Nature Preserve some hour and a half southeast of Baltimore. Beautiful and vast marsh and tidal estuary waters no more than 6-7 feet deep at their deepest teeming with all types of warm water species. We fished against the clumped edges of the marsh grass in water 2 to 0 feet deep. We were casting to the edges with soft plastic paddle foot frogs and retrieving them slowly back. Long story short i was bit twice on that trip but could not put the hook to them. But,.. the bites were violent, and in such shallow water resulted in huge boils, and noise. I was hooked. Over the next month or two and 4 or 5 more trips i have learned to appreciate this new fish and would rather pursue it almost more than anything else at present. They are mean, extremely violent when they strike, they fight very hard, and because of their teeth, are a bit risky to handle, the smaller ones are beautifully colored, the big ones are black and ugly….they are fantastic. Perhaps the most fun thing about them is they love to eat the frog! Oh, and here is a final bonus…. THEY ARE BY FAR, THE BEST EATING FRESHWATER FISH I HAVE EVER EATEN!!! It is encouraged by most, including the wildlife management in Maryland, to eat the Snakehead rather than release it. But the fishes popularity and now value as an important asset to the sport fishery in this area, has divided the eco conscious fisherman and a growing contingent of catch and release snakehead fans. So the Dragon, (a Snakehead at least 30” long) is very abundant, and becoming ever more popular. I am a huge fan of the fish, and hope i get few more shots at them before i have to go.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
That’s my almost Dragon, 29 1/2” , 8lb
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
That’s Matt, with his personal best, 34”, 11lb Dragon
