World Record Snakehead caught

jstrozier · May 17, 2012, 12:48:10 PM

And not from the native Japan!

From the Potomac!

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/05/juan-duran-catches-record-breaking-snakehead-fish-76051.html

Not state record........... WORLD record 18 pounds

Creel Limit Zero · May 17, 2012, 01:04:39 PM

I thought that was going to happen soon. Too many folks catching 14-15 pound snakeheads...

jstrozier · May 17, 2012, 01:08:56 PM

Quote from: Creel Limit Zero on May 17, 2012, 01:04:39 PM
I thought that was going to happen soon. Too many folks catching 14-15 pound snakeheads...

I caught one this year that I would estimate between 13-15. Was fun to catch.

BenFishing · May 17, 2012, 01:15:09 PM

The author of this story needs to do some research.

The snakehead we have in this area are not from Japan....the ones in Japan aren't even native...introduced at the start of the 1900s. The world record snakehead (in general) would come from the giant snakehead, which commonly gets over 40 pounds. I've seen many over 20 to 30 pounds while spearfishing in Thailand. Sorry for the rant...just despise reporters that don't research properly.

All that aside, this dude's Northern snakehead is huge, and after fishing the Anacostia and catching some pretty good size fish there (a couple in the 12 to 15 pound range), and seeing plenty bigger than the ones I caught, I wouldn't be surprised if the record for the Northern Snakehead was broken again, fairly soon.

Baybass · May 17, 2012, 06:47:50 PM

I'd agree....it will be broken this year I'd bet....those things are growing like crazy, plus don't they spawn 3 times a year?? I heard this record was caught in or just outside the Occoquan? I also know for a fact they are adapting to the salinity of the Potomac.....they used to be found only north...now I've heard reports of them being caught far south as well......I wonder when they are going to take over the bay. I've heard reports of a few caught on the Upper Bay....wonder if any truth behind this.

They will impact the Potomac....we're only just beginning to see the impact...it's only been 8 years or so...imagine another 10 years of the negative impact. A 10-15lb snakehead will attack and kill a 15" bass if it's hungry enough. They will chase down and eat 10-12" bass all day....seen it happen multiple times, especially while reeling in smaller bass WAY up north which were fighting at the surface. I've had many people tell me their northern areas (hot spots) of the Potomac have been taken over by snakeheads and the bass have moved out. Only time will tell....and it's not going to be positive for the bass. Fisheries biologists may not be sounding the alarm yet, but why sound an alarm if their is no response capable of handling the problem at hand....

hitman · May 18, 2012, 12:08:20 AM

Me and some buddies entered the 1st annual potomac snakehead tourney last year and seen one that would have easily topped 20lbs. We bow fish at night so you can see them alot easier than you would during the daylight. The biggest one taken durning the tourney was 15lbs.

Speedmunkee · May 23, 2012, 06:54:21 PM

I hear they are delicious! I'm dying to try one. If they are as good as I hear, I wish the DNR would promote that aspect as well. Perhaps if we just changed the "table" name from Snakehead to something cooler, like Dragon Fish, maybe restaurants would serve them. That could create a market for them and hopefully lessen their impact.

TheLastRodBender · May 24, 2012, 05:25:07 AM

Quote from: Speedmunkee on May 23, 2012, 06:54:21 PM
I hear they are delicious! I'm dying to try one. If they are as good as I hear, I wish the DNR would promote that aspect as well. Perhaps if we just changed the "table" name from Snakehead to something cooler, like Dragon Fish, maybe restaurants would serve them. That could create a market for them and hopefully lessen their impact.

I never really thought about that, but it really makes sense!!!

As far as the restaurants serving them.. i think you'd be hard pressed for the FDA to entertain having private fishermen sell a product out of the potomac and serve it to the public. I also dont think you'd have a real demand for commercial fishermen so i dont know how the tech side of it would work.

TheLastRodBender · May 24, 2012, 05:53:04 AM

By the way, the last i heard there is a problem with the record and it very well may be thrown out. The guy who caught it gave it to his friend to eat, and when the DNR got in contact with him to tell him they needed the fish to confirm everything, it had already been cut and fried. I saw an article online that the record may be thrown out because they couldn't confirm that the fish didnt have additional weight in it's stomach.

coldfront · May 24, 2012, 07:54:45 AM

Quote from: BenFishing on May 17, 2012, 01:15:09 PM
The author of this story needs to do some research.

The snakehead we have in this area are not from Japan....the ones in Japan aren't even native...introduced at the start of the 1900s.

Ben, you don't know how greatful I am to see some one else is fairly anal about stuff like this...nice post...captured my initial thought precisely.

what I hate the most is that folks are out there completely 'whiffing' on the facts...and perfectly happy to wind up over a lot of hyperbole. The facts are 'bad' enough...we don't really need to be getting nuts over nonsense too...

greg hall · May 24, 2012, 08:36:24 AM

Quote from: coldfront on May 24, 2012, 07:54:45 AM
Ben, you don't know how greatful I am to see some one else is fairly anal about stuff like this...nice post...captured my initial thought precisely.

what I hate the most is that folks are out there completely 'whiffing' on the facts...and perfectly happy to wind up over a lot of hyperbole. The facts are 'bad' enough...we don't really need to be getting nuts over nonsense too...

That sucks no youy records would have been a big deal if it was certified!