What I was trying to ask was If you believe that 18pounds snakeheads are starting to become a common size for a snakehead in the US due to lack of predators. They are now not common at this size,but maybe in a decade?
Snakehead Fishing in New Jersey
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What I was trying to ask was If you believe that 18pounds snakeheads are starting to become a common size for a snakehead in the US due to lack of predators. They are now not common at this size,but maybe in a decade?
I would say that that they get large because they're efficient predators, not because there is no natural predator. Even in their native range, I highly doubt there is anything that will be eating an 18 lb snakehead, but there are predators around which do eat/kill snakeheads. I personally think that we're just starting to see very large ones because they've been here for almost a decade. I'd compare that to the 22 lb Largemouth Bass or the 70+ lb Striped Bass. Thats the largest size class of the species and those large specimens do exist, but take several years to get that way. I'm sure we'll start seeing larger snakeheads as the years go on, but it's due to the amount of time they have had to grow, not a lack of pressure from other predators.
In regards to that, look at the massive northern pike and musky. They get huge, but are not out of control and massive ones are rare, but it is not uncommon to catch a 10 pound pike. I catch 10 pound pike regularly but I would never suggest they are a problem. They breed in such huge numbers as a way to ensure that some survive to adulthood. They will not take over, but they are here to stay, just like any other large predatory fish
Well you guys can speculate about what size pike and anything else will eat these snakeheads but the fact is those predators aren't there. The Muskies in the area are extremely rare. Ive fished my whole life in south jersey and never saw one. Their are pike but huge pike are far and few between. Yes their is bass but like I said 5 pounders are rare also. The stripers do run up the river and some are over 40" but the run the river and in some creeks. They dont go in lakes though. Ask far as raptors I said Ive been seeing more eagles but that really translates to 3-5 a year. But it use to be 1 every few years so yeah that's and improvement. Yes their are ospreys but they are coming out of the woodwork either. Probably the biggest predator in the area is honestly snapping turtles and their is a lot of them but not enough to control god knows how many snakeheads. If they have exploded in population like they did obviously they arent being whiped out. Hell I might start guided fishing tours because their is spots so loaded with em your almost guarenteed a fish. Some spots it's almost every cast. I went out today and bought a rod and reel set up just for snakeheads. I figured if I can't beat em join em.
Muskellunge and large pike are NOT easy to be caught by fisherman. I never caught a muskellunge in my whole life and never seen a live one in the wild, does that means they are not there? No. They don't called these muskellunge "Fish of 10,000 casts" for nothing. A 5lber bass are not that rare if you know where to find them. I hope you don't base the facts by your fisherman skills.....Also you forget about the giant catfish which are that dirty common as snakehead based on the recently studies.
I'm not saying they aren't there but Muskies aren't common around here. They start showing up more the farther north you go. Even where they live they say you have an average of 1 Muskie per acre. I'm going to say around here is way way way less. They started stocking a lake down here with em but they just aren't taking. (im going by what fish and game is saying) It sucks because I'd love to start catching them but they just aren't around. As far as 5+ pound bass yes they are here. I know lakes that have em but I doubt there are 10,000 of em in a lake. But I'd bet on the fact there is that many snakeheads. Yes their are catfish and a good amount of them. But do you really think catfish are eating these
That pic is not me but it's the same lake
Yes I think the catfish are eating these snakeheads both adults and fry. Blue/flathead catfish are known to prey on ADULT bowfins. Yes you read it right, adults! Are you sure that you ain't based the facts by your fisherman skills? Here's the challenge for you: find a proof that they are wiping out the natives.
Once again, all predators WILL be gladly prey on young snakeheads. Isn't that kid were being a douche-bag in other forum?
Once again, all predators WILL be gladly prey on young snakeheads. Isn't that kid were being a douche-bag in other forum?
I wasnt saying that large pike will wipe them out, Im saying that pike reach massive sizes but they are rare. WHY are they rare? with absolutely nothing around that can kill an adult pike they should take over the world and eat our children too. but really a trophy for me is ten pounds, why cant i catch a 40 pounder? one, their numbers are kept in check naturally, and two, fisherman take out the largest ones. the world will balance out again. bald eagles are not the only birds of prey that will fish out snakeheads, and you will rarely see them even if the populations were high.
On a side note, I was talking with some intelligent people today and was absolutely shocked at how little they knew while still thinking they were educated on the topic. they especially claimed that the snakehead problem was such a big concern because of their ability to just get up out of the water and walk to the next river. Yes they can survive a long time out of water, and I really doubt(with the rare exceptions) that any species of fish will make the concious decision to get out of water for the chance of a new home. Water=life, unknown dry land=death
On a side note, I was talking with some intelligent people today and was absolutely shocked at how little they knew while still thinking they were educated on the topic. they especially claimed that the snakehead problem was such a big concern because of their ability to just get up out of the water and walk to the next river. Yes they can survive a long time out of water, and I really doubt(with the rare exceptions) that any species of fish will make the concious decision to get out of water for the chance of a new home. Water=life, unknown dry land=death
I had met some people like that. Boy it is not fun to argueing with them especially when they just happened to be your co-workers/friends/boss.