This is “Snakehead Stalker” from NJ, saw his Youtube video which is great so I posted the link here. Enjoy!
All posts by Dr Snakehead
A Beast of a Snakehead
Huge Snakehead on Top Water!
Some of my best video, up close and personal.
I was scouting for a Bass Fishing Tournament this Sunday and headed to Aquia out of Hope Springs Marina. It was a sunny day started at 3 pm and fished until dark. There was a slight northeasterly wind but a great day to kayak fish. I headed around the entire bay area across from the marina fishing the shores and got a few nice 2-3 lb. largemouths on chatterbaits and crawfish jigs (that short video is coming). No snakeheads in in the clear water.
So then I headed to the lillies… Worked the inner channles between the large lillies that went out into the main water and the tall grass swampy banks that go back for 100 yards or more and are unfishable even in a kayak. These shallow sideline channels are where I have been finding snakeheads this year. No action in the open water or even the edges of the big lilly patches that border the “big water” which were good last year. The smaller channels and little lilly lined “smaller” rivers is where I am getting bit. This 9.52 pounder (thought it was closer to 15 lbs. but the scale said different) faught hard and pulled my kayak as I reeled him in.
Sight fishing for snakeheads is one of the best ways to catch them as their numbers are way down now compared to years past. Seeing the serpentine ripples that slowly ungelate through the back channels can get you a nice one. It is hard to see the ripple in this video as there is no zoom on my Ion Air Pro 3 which takes these nice HD videos so you have to squint a bit. But if you look hard right as it starts before I cast you can you see what I saw just before I through the Stanley top water frog at him.
On an ecological note, the bass population seems fine I am catching nice ones and some days I catch bass and no snakeheads! I definately see a drastic decline in the Potomac River snakehead population compared to previous years. At Pohick Creek up by Mason Neck(I hate the I-95 traffic to get there but try it once or twice a season) I got one small one just as I was paddlng back to the ramp on July 1, 2016 and it looked like perfect snakehead territory. I spoke with a local bass/snakehead kayaker that I ran into who said the bow fisherman are out in numbers every weekend shooting everything they see, 10-20 boats! Ah Northern Virginia so calm and “not crowded”, that is why I live down here by Charlottesville and head southwest or up a mountain whenever I can! But I digress…. So us rod and reel guys are not seeing big snakehead catches like years past because the bow guys are killing ’em fast and the years past of catching 10 and 20 fish in one day and keeping them is showing up now. Many days this summer I have not caught any snakeheads which is unusual compared to years past. So I have released all my snakeheads this year and most of the ones I caught last year. I want to see and hook more of them when I go and big ones like this one. Now I know Virginia/Maryland Wildlife said, “They’ll mess up the enviornment and eat all the local fish…” just not true. Have snakeheads had an impact on the ecosystem, sure but the bass, perch and crappie seem to be balancing out just fine. I am catching more big bass this year than last so things are working out. I just want to catch more snakeheads though. Nothing fights as hard or does so much acrobatic leaps in fresh water as a snakehead. So keep one or two big ones for the frying pan as they are the best eating fish out there but release the rest for someone else to catch and enjoy.
Dr. D, Chiropractic Nutritionist and Snakehead Enthusiast!
Snakeheads are Expanding
Snakeheads are Increasing Their Range
Many sightings and catchings here in Central Virginia of Northern Snakeheads, from Lake Anna to Kelly’s Ford in the Rhappahanock River.
These fish are making their way into the smaller waterways which was to be expected. But not to fear a balance will be struck and I believe they will NOT destroy the bass or other fish in those systems. I am seeing a drastic slow down in the number of fish being caught in the Potomac River over the last 4 years. I really noticed the slow down last year and it is still “slow” so far this year many days so far with no fish which would never have happend in 2014. There are less snakeheads being seen and caught, I disturb far fewer this year on my kayak forays than I did 2 years ago in the vast lilly pad beds of the Potomac River. Their thunderous explosivie splashes as you disturb them when you cruise by are much less frequent so far this t year in Potomac Creek. My catches are way down but then the bass fishing has been unusually slow in the river and the lakes so far this year too. Maybe all that rain and cooler April/May weather has slowed down all the fish. Not sure.
Now Snakeheads are Confirmed in Lake Anna
This phots from McCotter’s Lake Anna Guide Service from a woman who took it by her dock at Lake Anna this June said she saw another large fish and a “bunch of little ones” so they are now embedded in the lake and breeding. Lets catch some fish, I will have to start fishing Lake Anna more which is good for me(it’s closer) as I live in Gordonsville and Potomac creek is a good drive for me! High Point Marina is currently paying a bounty of $10 for every fish caught in the lake and brought to him. Not sure how long he will do this as he may find that he goes broke pretty fast as there are most likely a lot of snakeheads that will be caught!
Keep us posted on your snakehead sightings and catches. Where, what were you using and what was the weather and water like. Thanks to all!
Dr. D or “Dr. Snakehead”
Chiropractic and nutritional services offered in central Virginia, even housecalls! www. TotalChiro.net
Rock Cod Fishing off Monterey Bay
Not A Snakehead Story but a Fishing Post from the Pacific!
On a little west coast vacation this last week taking gorgeous drive down the Pacific Coast Highway which was amazing, someting you all should try to do.
Los Angeles to San Francisco and with a stop for some charter boat fishing off Monterey Bay. The Rock Cod are good fighters.
After stopping just outside the bay to catch squid on sabiki rigs for about an hour we then headed south towards Carmel and the many rock pilings off the coast in 150 feet of water where the fish congregate. Fairly calm that day on seas but a fast drift so Captain Chris kept having to reset us over the submerged rock piles where the fish where thick! All species of “rock cod”, Copper, Vermillion(brilliant red color and big -I had a 8-10 pounder!), Olives, Blues, Blacks and Starry Cod were what most of us caught. 
The prize was the Ling Cod which can get over 50lbs. and have a mouth full of teeth…kind of like a ocean snakehead. Long and eel-like with long sharp conicle teeth just like a snakehead.
So in closing I highly recommend a drive up the scenic California coast and stop in Monterey Bay and to fish with Capt. Chris, you will find him right on Fisherman’s Warf on the right. His son Troy is an amazing ball of positive energy and good fish stories.
See you on the water,
Dr. D
PS You should make sure you see your chiropractor before and after the trip as the long drive and ocean boat ride will bounce your back out a bit.
All This Rain is Killing My Fishing!
Weeks of Rain on East Coast Slow Fishing
Well it’s been slow for me at least. I’ve put in on Potomac Creek, Aquia Creek and the fish bites are far and few between. Kayaking, Bass Boatin’ and not much to show for it. Water temps have been around 64 degrees F and the river is muddy brown and fast. I see fish on the sonar but not many takers, a few bass here and there granted some nice ones, 2-5 lbs. but not many. Even the snakeheads are not hitting that much a few nice ones before all this rain but the last two trips nothing. I saw two bug out as I cruised past their “sun bathing” spots last Thursday on Accokeet Creek(off Potomac Creek) but not biters that day. Fouled hooked this shad one day while I was kayaking fishing way up Potomac Creek but not other bites that day.
What are you guys doing to land some fish? Any fish any where leave your rainy weather tips.
See you on the water,
Dr. Snakehead (Dr. D for my chiropractic patients)
If you are into natural health and chiropractic check out my office website, www.Totalchiro.net. I and a Nutritionist and Chiropractor for over 30 years now and still love seeing people get well who failed at other doctor’s offices.
Snakehead Season in Virginia is NOW Open!
Had a good day on the water yesterday over on Potomac and Accokeet Creeks. Cloudy the first half of the day then the sun came out (and I forgot my sunscreen)! I got there a little past high tide at 9AM and fished the channels, and into the early lilly pads somewhat. I did best in the channels using a chatterbox, red-black with craw trailer and orange-chartruese with a brown craw trailer. (I did not have my ruler so I used my tackle box for size in photos it is 10″ long so you can guess the length as they lay next to it. ) All my bites, bass and snakeheads were deeper in the main channles of the side creeks about 6′-15′ deep. Not many bites but the few I had produced well!
I had seen fish jumping and rolling all morning, mostly carp and cats, a few large shad but a few looked to me like snakeheads. Sure enough they were awake finally after a “long” winter! I had a nice 2.5 lb. largemouth first thing that morning in the lillies, a male just cruising but could not finf any more for the rest of the day. My first snakehead bite was an hour later, around 11:30 AM and my biggest fish, a nice 8.2 lbs. He bit my orange/chartruese chatterbox taking it right from the middle of the channel close to my boat not in the lillies! I missed one 30 min. later then got another nice 4.2 lbs. again from the middle of the channel. Then things slowed for an hour or so as slowly drifted back up Accokeet creek to the Crow’s Nest state park kayak/canoe ramp. I did not see much in the way of bass or snakeheads in that part of the creek accept for carp and a few larger shad. No gar fish there yet either. So I worked my way back to the middle and widest part of Accokeet where I had caught my first two snakeheads and sure enough got another nice 5 pounder
and scared a whopper! He jumped clear out of the water as my bass boat came up the edge of the lillies, had to be a good 12 lbs! (okay maybe 10lbs. I am a fisherman after all) It was huge! No luck finding where he swam off to so I now at early afternoon and sunny I worked the inside the lillies and nothing. Then I went back out to the channel and slowly worked it back to the main creek mouth and hooked another nice fish, takin’ drag but spit the hoot before I could get it up to the surface. From the way it faught it most likely was a big snakehead.
I kept the large one, a male and put the others back large females so we’d all have nice fish to catch another day. Now I know many of you want to kill or keep every one you catch but I definately noticed a big decline last year compared to the years before so we must be limiting their expansion just fine. Practice good stewardship and lets make sure there are fish tomorrow for all of us.
So they are warmed up and active- let the games begin!
Bass Bite on the Potomac
Bass Fishing on Potomac Creek March 10, 2016
The air temp was up, 77 even with the clouds, the water seemed about 48ish (no thermometer) and it was windy on the water in my kayak. I only had time to get there on the outgoing tide so I hit it at almost dead low- not the best time on a tidal river! The water was coffee brown and the carp were moving up the creek and jumping but no bass or snakeheads. I fished the deeper channels, the drop-offs and way up the creek in the “small waters” and did not get or see any predatory fish unfortunately. Some small bait fish in the upper creek in 10″ of water but no big fish. I was using soft plastics, spinner baits, swim jigs, crawfish deep water jigging but nothing! I even pulled out the top water toad in the shallow water but nada… I was using mostly white and chartruesse colors but tried some darker purples and black/blue and nothing.
Oh well it was a nice day in my kayak and got some good exercise. Now I have to wait a bit due to my busy chiropractic officed schedule and family committments (like we all do). But I think it will definately turn in by the beginning of April.
See you next time on the Potomac River!
Dr. Demetrios Kydonieus (Dr. Snakehead)
www.totalchiro.net to check out any healthcare questions.
Bass Fishing Now Since Snakeheads are “Sleeping”
Bass Fishing Time Since Snakeheads Seem to Hibernate
Well no snakehheads this time of year for sure but the bass fishing has been good on jigs and creature baits for me. Crankbaits and swim baits have been slow but then I have not fished as much as some of you this winter I am sure. Especially with all the warm weather I am sure many of you are killin’ it.
Catfishing is On!
I have a few catfish friends that have done great this winter hitting the James or Potomac Rivers in central Virginia. Jamie caught a 60lb channle catfish on the Potomac River at Leesylvania by the power plant bridge just before Christmas on that 72 degree sunny Saturday- way to go! (I will get that photo and post it here next week). What about that new North Carolina state record that went around Facebook, a channel cat weighing in at 105lbs. and the 94lb blue catfish another state record!
So drop a helpful winter tips bass fishing comment below and I will do my best to get it up here soon!
Snakeheads are Down for the Winter
Snakeheads in the Mud
Well the Snakeheads are in the mud and not really active as far as I have been told. If you come across one please share and post a commet here.
Deer Season has been good in Central Virginia. How has your luck been? Post links to your Facebook or Youtube pages with nice deer shots.
See you in the Spring!
Dr D
Chiropractor and Functional Medicine Specialist…find out why you’re sick today. Autoimmune, cancer, mystery conditions
I Think the Snakeheads have Gone Deep
Snakehead Fishing in Fall
I am now going on 3 weeks with bascially no fish. I have only had the two little ones that you saw in my other post a little while ago. I have no idea where the snakehead fish have gone? Maybe they head into the mud but not sure. I haven’t even scared that many paddling around, it’s like they all migrated somewhere else!
If anyone is catching anything in September please leave a comment and let us know. If you don’t want to share your “spot” then at least let us know where in the water they were; along the weedlines, on top of the remaining weed beds, in the lilly pads or out in the deeper channels? What lure or bait were you using?
This is Dr D heading into the woods this week not on the water. I will be scouting a good tree for my deer stand for bow season that is coming up soon here in Virginia.
Chiropractic will keep you on the water or in the woods longer! www.TotalChiro.net