Snakeheads

[ErikNJD]

Originally Posted by acabtp

yeah, so... you are 100% totally incorrect about the law in NJ. none of the states around here have that "back into the same water you caught it from" provision for snakeheads... i think that's a FL thing? d

Maryland is right in this area and they allow C&R, shit they have c&r snakehead tournaments, so ur wrong there... and no I don't have to kill anything. In fact Im pretty sure these snakheads are identifing as bowfins so we just need to respect their feelings 🤣

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Muskies and striped bass are not invasive but snakeheads and flatheads are.

Muskies are not native to NJ.. Flatheads are a curse... We can agree there...

[Broad Bill]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Muskies and striped bass are not invasive but snakeheads and flatheads are.

Why does that matter if we're talking about the impact they're supposedly having on other species or harm to the environment. In my opinion whether a fishery is invasive or native doesn't matter. What does matter is their presence not creating an imbalance in the food chain or with other species or posing harm to the environment like blue cats and Asian carp have. Same with Goby's in the Great Lakes. I just don't see snakeheads falling into that category. Most people have never caught one or even seen one for that matter so how much damage can they be doing. If there's proof they're hurting natural fisheries or the environment, I'd agree it needs to be dealt with but I don't hear or see that.

[Ol Pedro]

This thread has got quite the set of legs. B.B. , I agree that they have to be dealt with. The State said to remove them. I say to eat um all and not to waste them. Having processed a large one I noticed that these things are armoured and designed to survive. They can live out of water and slither around like their namesake. When I filleted one it was like cutting through an aluminum can and well worth it. Need more to perfect my technique.
I could easily see them take over Pineland lakes and ponds. I don't see any Snakehead shaped lures for Bass yet . Will Bass eat their fry?

[AndyS]

Like I said, it is humans homogenizing the earth. The irony is an INVASIVE fish is displacing INTRODUCED fish, so it becomes a wash I guess. In nature there is NO excess, there are checks and balances in nature. One of the stories I heard was a family from abroad stocked a pond with Snakeheads knowing how fast they reproduce they would have a never ending supply of fresh fish at hand. Everyone says these fish are causing no harm, and I keep saying "yet" as they are doubling in numbers with each passing year. I have to agree the blue cats will decimate our already hurting coastlines. People are always looking for fresh to eat and here they are, beats trying to cook and clean a 10 inch stocked trout that tastes like mud and is full of bones.

[Broad Bill]

Originally Posted by Ol Pedro

This thread has got quite the set of legs. B.B. , I agree that they have to be dealt with. The State said to remove them. I say to eat um all and not to waste them. Having processed a large one I noticed that these things are armoured and designed to survive. They can live out of water and slither around like their namesake. When I filleted one it was like cutting through an aluminum can and well worth it. Need more to perfect my technique.
I could easily see them take over Pineland lakes and ponds. I don't see any Snakehead shaped lures for Bass yet . Will Bass eat their fry?

Pedro I agree with you as it pertains to snakeheads. Enjoy the fishery, have tournaments, eat a great eating fish if you so choose or let it go and don't worry about a fish that's not doing any known provable harm to the environment or other stocks. I could care less if it's considered invasive or native. Blue cats, gobies and Asian carp, that's a completely different situation that needs to be addressed.

[Broad Bill]

On an unrelated topic which has been discussed before, the pop ups on this site are beyond out of control. Truly don't even want to post anymore, it's gotten that bad. Maybe in my case that was the whole point.

[Ol Pedro]

Originally Posted by Broad Bill

On an unrelated topic which has been discussed before, the pop ups on this site are beyond out of control. Truly don't even want to post anymore, it's gotten that bad. Maybe in my case that was the whole point.

Hope I don't jinx myself but I'm not having that problem on this site. It has shifted to utube.

[AndyS]

What I can't understand is people in S Jersey will flock to some scum hole duck pond to load up stringers of half dead stocked trout that taste like mud and are full of bones, but will C&R a great eating snakehead. They are even considered a delicacy in other countries with their firm white meat.