When Snakeheads illegally invaded our Potomac River border, bass fishermen rallied behind resource managers, attacking and killing alien invaders! Angler militias responded to Bass Pro Shops bounty and for 4 years, intent on eradicating this highly prolific invasive species, executed a death sentence on the piscatorial predator. WANTED posters greeted anglers at marinas, tackle shops and on line! Northern Snakeheads were not welcome.

Eating anything they can sink their snaggled teeth into, these sinister marauders have reached mythical proportions. Breathing air, living in low-oxygenated waters, reproducing up to 5 times a year, Snakeheads are the fastest growing fish in our sea, growing an average of over 2 pounds per year! Ten pounders are routine and a few over 15 pounds have been landed!

Virginia and Maryland remain focused on the assassination of these fish, but we aren’t putting a dent in the population! Are they having an impact on bass fishing? More of an interruption to bass fishing, a nuisance if you’re fishing for bass and hook one of these angry fish! Only 20 snakeheads were caught in 2004. What was novel is now routine. It’s not out of the ordinary to reel in 2 to 3 a day. Orders remain…catch and kill!

Prior to release into US waters, Snakeheads were imported alive as a food fish! Since they grow fast, toxins don’t accumulate…making their tasty firm meat fair game for dinner plates…one of the safer Potomac River fish to consume. There are no limits on snakehead capture and possession. Nor are they subject to any season, creel or size limit. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Inland Fisheries Director Don Cosden says fish must be immediately killed: head removed, gutted, both gill arches removed, or filleted. “We want you to catch and kill snakeheads,” says Cosden. “This is not a species that we encourage in our waters.” To track expansion, MD wants to hear from anglers who catch snakeheads caught outside of the Potomac. (410) 260-8287 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Virginia is also hoping to avoid the implantation into smaller more sensitive fisheries and is still asking anglers to kill and report snakehead captures.  According to VDGIF biologist John Odenkirk, the only thing an angler is legally required to do is contact the snakehead hotline, 804-367-2925, if he or she wishes to keep it after killing it.
Into the war’s 6th year, anglers are becoming weary of snakehead executions. Most come from the “old school” culture, releasing anything not for consumption. “Catch and kill” creates a dilemma. Bass boats aren’t designed nor are bass fishermen prepared to ice down a catch for dining. Who’ll eat a fish that’s been dead for several hours at “boat” temperature? Keeping a fugitive fish alive aboard a boat in livewells is against the law…when transported across state lines, it’s a federal Lacey Act violation, punishable by fines and imprisonment.

Producing exciting strikes and a pretty good fight, Snakeheads attract trophy anglers. Derek Radoski of snakeheadpro.com features reports, techniques, and lures satisfying worldwide interest in aggressive Potomac Snakeheads! Sportsmen have adopted a “catch and release” creed. Radoski says two distinct angler types visit his site: those interested in protecting the environment and those interested in sport fishing. With over 2,000 members to his Snakehead Angler Society, Radoski promotes preservation of native species through removal of invasives.

Snakeheads are out of the bottle. “Catch and kill” insures there will be one less fish competing for forage, reproducing, to be transplanted into a smaller fishery which would be devastating. Removal of just one fish could mean the eradication of thousands of potential multiple spawn offspring or expose new brood to predation as both parents protect fry from bird, turtle and fish assaults. Over-fishing might seem like a drop in the Potomac, but take note of how over-fishing impacted the River’s sturgeon.

Anglers reluctant to kill a snakehead could be responsible for the species to be renamed, The Potomac River Snakehead! The fish released might be the one that creates thousands of Potomac River Snakeheads. Anglers must comply with eradication efforts, no matter how entrenched our outdoor values. Consider the Snakehead’s legacy…a bad sci-fi movie or our national fish. Today it’s a Potomac River problem. Let’s not let it become a national epidemic.

Potomac River Bassing in August

It’s HOT! Early topwaters…Mann’s Super Frogs on braid…or poppers like the Lucky Craft G-Splash and walkers like the Gunfish. Then it’s a top down approach!

I like to gradually keep my baits closer to the fish as the sun rises. The tidal challenge dictates how to fish. There are a few moving baits. With a lot of water, you need to use either chatterbait like the Rock N Runner…or a cranker like the Mann’s C-4 with a lot of water or the Baby 1-Minus with a foot or so. The new Mann’s Waker can be used with about 5 inches of water over grass.

After that, it's mat time! With high water, try punching with Tru-Tungsten 1–ounce weights and a green pumpkin/red flake HardNose craw. Soaking soft plastics in garlic Jack’s Juice adds flavor and will slide through the thick grass easier. This is best at incoming tides later in the heat of the day. Otherwise, pitch Mizmo tubes on 3/0 Mustad Ultra Point tube hooks to clumps with a ½ ounce Tru-Tungsten weight. I like the Smart Pegs to keep the weight fixed to the bait. A solid hook like a Mustad Ultra Point Flipping hook works well…snell knot makes this very efficient. But, a small piece of heat shrink tubing with a 45 degree notch toward the hook eye will make it easier to keep baits in place.

Drink plenty of water and protect your eyes from sun glare with Maui Jim sunglasses.

Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide and BoatUS “Ask the Expert” (www.my.boatus.com/askexperts/) Potomac River reports: www.nationalbass.com. Book a trip or purchase gift certificates: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .