STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — When northern snakeheads (Channa Argus) were first discovered in Virginia in 2004, there were fears the invasive predator would disrupt the ecosystem and present problems for native species. Snakeheads were illegally dumped into a pond in Crofton, Maryland two years earlier. They spread into the Potomac River drainage, eventually making their way into Virginia streams. They finally showed up in Virginia waters 20 years ago.
While they spawned fears, the fish eventually settled in and now live side by side with other native species like largemouth bass, gar, and sunfish. They are right at home in the shallow, weedy creeks that feed the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in northern Virginia. By some expert accounts, outside of southeast Asia, Virginia may offer some of the best snakehead fishing in the world.
“That was one that rolled up, right there,” said fishing guide Mike Sielicki of Apex Predators fishing.
Sielicki pointed to a swirl about 50 yards from the boat he was piloting along Potomac Creek just east of Fredericksburg.
Guides ply these snakehead-filled waters looking for the tell tale signs of active fish.
“See movement way up there by the grass?” asked Sielicki as he motioned to swirls near a reedy shoreline. “That’s snakes.”
Those swirls Sielicki looks for often mean bait fish that the snakeheads target, or schools of juvenile snakeheads, which are almost always protected by two adult parent snakeheads. Throw a bait into a school of babies, and it will often elicit a strike from one of the parent fish.
“Did you see that?” Sielicki exclaimed as a snakehead exploded on a topwater frog he had thrown.
Moments later, after tug-o-war battle, Sielicki slid a large snakehead into the net.
“That fish is 27 inches, a typical fish,” said Sielicki.
To target snakeheads, Sielicki suggests shallow running soft plastic critters or topwater frogs fished on medium to medium heavy rod and reel combos. Snakeheads are ambush hunters. They used the weeds to stage their attacks. When it happens, the strike is lightning quick and powerful. Most of the time, you see it happen right on the surface.
“They’re a blast,” said Sielicki. “When you can see that fish boil in the water and you throw your frog over to it, give it a few little pops, and he just jumps right on top of it, and it’s just nothing but pure power.”
While snakeheads are fantastic fighters, they are also great tablefare. Snakeheads are prized for their meat, which is white, mild, and flaky. They are versatile and can prepared fried, baked, broiled, or grilled.