Here in Maryland it would be illegal (you're not allowed to have a live one in your possession!) but we'd agree they sure would be cool to watch in one!!
Yep, you bet - they're well-established in he Potomac watershed and are pursued quite a bit in feeder creeks like Mattawoman, Nanjemoy, and Mallows Bay. There have also been a lot of reports coming from up Back River this spring, and also near Susquehanna Flats.
April/May is hottest but the bite is strong through the summer and into fall, usually up to late October. Most all the tackle shops and the "Bait Boys" (You can find them through snakeheadlife.com on Facebook) have a steady supply of minnow.
That shop is the Woolford Store, in Woolford, MD. (And their cheese steaks are AWESOME!!) If you stop in there, the locals are very helpful in directing you to spots, but you can also go to the Dorchester County Public Boat Access map: dnr.maryland.gov/boating/Pages/water-access/dorchester.aspx Virtually all the access points have some amount of shoreline available for fishing. Also, just about all the bridges have spots you can pull off onto the shoulder and park. Finally, check out the USFW page about Blackwater refuge, which covers fishing and mentions some access points. www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater/visit/fishing.html In the pop-up map in the video, all those X'sare place at (about) places with some level of public access.
Caught Perch and Large Mouth off my kayak launched in at Shorters Wharf boat ramp, but no Snakehead..... Where are all the lilly pads in Blackwater? I'm dying to use my frogs and toads!
There are a number of ramps in the area; check out the Online Water Access Guide to see ramps both in Blackwater itself and close by: dnr.maryland.gov/boating/pages/water-access/boatramps.aspx
Well, there really isn't one address - it's a B-I-G place (Balckwater is over 30,000 square miles). Just Google "Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge" and it'll show up on the map.
Hey Bad Bass - Thanks for your thoughts, but we don't state anywhere that this is a science-based video and we were pretty careful to make it clear that the observations offered by the subjects in the video were just that - their personal observations. That said, we didn't "avoid" anything; there is no evidence nor solid science on this topic. The MD DNR and US Fish & Wildlife Service are just now beginning to study the impact of the snakeheads on the Blackwater. So scientifically-speaking, the jury is out.
My thing is the fish is a fast growing predator fish. Spread from DMV area all the way up the east coast. How would it not have an effect on other wildlife population? They are a fun fish to catch but let’s not act like it’s no impact.
@@rKingMike I think its going to have a tremendous impact, but not necessarily a bad one. From this video, seems like the worst thing this fish does is attract an increased amount of selfish idiots that leave trash behind in the National Wildlife Reserve. The Snakeheads primarily feed on baitfish, and to date, there is no evidence of decline in the number of bait fish. Frankly, I think catfish are more aggressive. I can't help but wonder if this fish might result in economic gains for impoverished areas like South Dorchester County, which BTW, is where I grew up.
Don't judge a book by its cover!! Believe me, they do taste great - the meat is kind of like a cross between a walleye and a rockfish, very firm and white.
Loaded question about the impact of snakeheads on other fish. You have to prove a direct correlation to say the effect is directly related to the cause, otherwise it is speculation and/or coincidence. Other contributing factors are absolutely at play causing a decline in other species which are less adapted to the changes. Sure, snakeheads may be a factor, but the video makes it sound as if they are the only reason for the decline in other species, and that is disingenuous.
Hey Dave - you are absolutely correct, but in this particular case there's pretty good documentation of the impact because the US Fish and Wildlife Service and MD DNR had fish community studies dating back prior to the snakehead's introduction. You can check out the pre/post snake comparison in this summery of the study, it's a cool read! www.fws.gov/northeast/marylandfisheries/pdf/FINAL_Blackwater-Fish-Community-Comparison.pdf
@@FishTalkMagazine I’ll definitely read it. However, studies which show a healthy (insert fish of choice here) population at a certain point in time and then show a decline needs to study the cause(s) for that decline. I have yet to see a reputable and trustworthy study (doesn’t mean they aren’t out there) which shows snakeheads were directly responsible and the sole cause for the decline of all fish populations in certain locations. Most anglers give their opinions based on what they see. They could be correct, but they could be dead wrong. The question should have started out with “In your opinion…”.
One of the most beautiful fish I’ve ever caught. We have them here in SE Pa & south Nj too.
They're taking over the WORLD!! (But we agree - gorgeous fish!)
thanks for the heads up ,good imfo, like the video thanks 🐟
These are my favorite fish for an aquarium!
Here in Maryland it would be illegal (you're not allowed to have a live one in your possession!) but we'd agree they sure would be cool to watch in one!!
in the 80s I had them in the aquarium , they would always jump out and sometimes die, they could stay out of water a while 🐟
Thanks!
Good stuff!
Great Video!
Glad ya liked it!!!
Any great snakehead spots on the Western side of the Bay?
Yep, you bet - they're well-established in he Potomac watershed and are pursued quite a bit in feeder creeks like Mattawoman, Nanjemoy, and Mallows Bay. There have also been a lot of reports coming from up Back River this spring, and also near Susquehanna Flats.
How long the Snake Head season last ? What is the best month ? Does the Tackle shop sell Minnows ? Thanks
April/May is hottest but the bite is strong through the summer and into fall, usually up to late October. Most all the tackle shops and the "Bait Boys" (You can find them through snakeheadlife.com on Facebook) have a steady supply of minnow.
@@FishTalkMagazine Thanks
I alway thought Blackwater was better for kayak fishing. So it’s plenty of shoreline to fish snakeheads?
It is excellent for kayak fishing for sure, but there are also plenty of spots to fish from shore.
Michael Ballard plenty, no, but you can fish it some from the overhead bridges.
kayak for sure
snakehead are easily some of the best fish eating you can do...HANDS DOWN
YES!!!
Nice video....thanks for the tips...is that northen snakehead?
Yup, it sure is the Northern. Glad you enjoyed the video!
what are some land accessable spots at blackwater ? also what bsit shop is that ?
That shop is the Woolford Store, in Woolford, MD. (And their cheese steaks are AWESOME!!) If you stop in there, the locals are very helpful in directing you to spots, but you can also go to the Dorchester County Public Boat Access map: dnr.maryland.gov/boating/Pages/water-access/dorchester.aspx Virtually all the access points have some amount of shoreline available for fishing. Also, just about all the bridges have spots you can pull off onto the shoulder and park. Finally, check out the USFW page about Blackwater refuge, which covers fishing and mentions some access points. www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater/visit/fishing.html In the pop-up map in the video, all those X'sare place at (about) places with some level of public access.
david Confair local commerical fisherman good guy.you sound like you know what your talking about buddy
this is cambridge md right?
It's south of Cambridge, maybe 10-ish miles though parts of some of the tributary rivers are closer and some a bit farther.
Between Vienna and Cambridge. If you're heading towards Cambridge you'll see the signs on your right
Caught Perch and Large Mouth off my kayak launched in at Shorters Wharf boat ramp, but no Snakehead..... Where are all the lilly pads in Blackwater? I'm dying to use my frogs and toads!
More on the north side, towards Little Blackwater/Buttons. Use Google Earth and you'll see the thick pads & similar.
@@FishTalkMagazine are you referring to Buttons creek?
@@SeaSicilian Yup!
Is there a place there where a can launch my boat?
There are a number of ramps in the area; check out the Online Water Access Guide to see ramps both in Blackwater itself and close by: dnr.maryland.gov/boating/pages/water-access/boatramps.aspx
Where is the adress?
Well, there really isn't one address - it's a B-I-G place (Balckwater is over 30,000 square miles). Just Google "Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge" and it'll show up on the map.
do i need a fishing license to catch snakehead?
Yes, absolutely, you do!!
Guy fishermen but way too much drama on there social media pages
This video seems to have avoided evidence and is based on anecdotal conjecture. That's not healthy.
Hey Bad Bass - Thanks for your thoughts, but we don't state anywhere that this is a science-based video and we were pretty careful to make it clear that the observations offered by the subjects in the video were just that - their personal observations. That said, we didn't "avoid" anything; there is no evidence nor solid science on this topic. The MD DNR and US Fish & Wildlife Service are just now beginning to study the impact of the snakeheads on the Blackwater. So scientifically-speaking, the jury is out.
My thing is the fish is a fast growing predator fish. Spread from DMV area all the way up the east coast. How would it not have an effect on other wildlife population? They are a fun fish to catch but let’s not act like it’s no impact.
@@rKingMike I think its going to have a tremendous impact, but not necessarily a bad one. From this video, seems like the worst thing this fish does is attract an increased amount of selfish idiots that leave trash behind in the National Wildlife Reserve. The Snakeheads primarily feed on baitfish, and to date, there is no evidence of decline in the number of bait fish. Frankly, I think catfish are more aggressive. I can't help but wonder if this fish might result in economic gains for impoverished areas like South Dorchester County, which BTW, is where I grew up.
That didn’t look very appetizing
Don't judge a book by its cover!! Believe me, they do taste great - the meat is kind of like a cross between a walleye and a rockfish, very firm and white.
Loaded question about the impact of snakeheads on other fish. You have to prove a direct correlation to say the effect is directly related to the cause, otherwise it is speculation and/or coincidence. Other contributing factors are absolutely at play causing a decline in other species which are less adapted to the changes. Sure, snakeheads may be a factor, but the video makes it sound as if they are the only reason for the decline in other species, and that is disingenuous.
Hey Dave - you are absolutely correct, but in this particular case there's pretty good documentation of the impact because the US Fish and Wildlife Service and MD DNR had fish community studies dating back prior to the snakehead's introduction. You can check out the pre/post snake comparison in this summery of the study, it's a cool read! www.fws.gov/northeast/marylandfisheries/pdf/FINAL_Blackwater-Fish-Community-Comparison.pdf
@@FishTalkMagazine I’ll definitely read it. However, studies which show a healthy (insert fish of choice here) population at a certain point in time and then show a decline needs to study the cause(s) for that decline. I have yet to see a reputable and trustworthy study (doesn’t mean they aren’t out there) which shows snakeheads were directly responsible and the sole cause for the decline of all fish populations in certain locations. Most anglers give their opinions based on what they see. They could be correct, but they could be dead wrong. The question should have started out with “In your opinion…”.