Frog Eaters – Fly fishing for Snakeheads

The Fish

The bullseye snakehead is an invasive species in South Florida, originally from Southeast Asia. They thrive in shallow, weedy canals and backwater ponds, where they ambush prey from on the banks. They are air-breathers that can survive in low-oxygen environments, and they are highly territorial. These two factors make them an ideal fly rod target.

Snakehead experience

I’d describe the feeling of snakehead fishing as more like wading for bonefish than anything else. You have to be stealthy, make an accurate cast, and move the fly correctly. The feeling you get when you see the fish blow up on the frog is unlike any other. The anticipation of what’s to come in those few moments before the strike will surely make you want to get off the couch and chase snakeheads.

Feeding them frogs

Frogs are food, not friends. Snakeheads can’t resist a frog sliding across the bank in front of them. The most critical factor to consider in a snakehead pattern is its ability to avoid getting snagged in thick cover, where the fish live. Frogs work perfectly for sliding across grass mats, banks, lily pads, and other cover.

Finding snakeheads

Snakeheads are found from Palm Beach County and all the way south through Dade County. Look for areas lakes and canals with heavy vegetation, downed trees, docks, lily pads, and any structure where they can ambush prey.

These fish love the heat, so summer months are prime time, but they can be caught year-round. I almost prefer some overcast days so the fish can’t see you as easily.

Tactics for snakehead on fly success

  1. Sight Fishing is the only way to go. Even in murky canal water these fish will be visible because of how shallow they stay. Spotting them first and making an accurate cast increases your odds of success. Blind casting a fly line down the bank will spook every fish between you and the fly. You HAVE TO see them first.
  2. Stealth and precision – Snakeheads are spooky fish. A bad cast or walking to loud/close to the bank can send them darting for cover. Use a quiet, deliberate, stealthy approach, and present your fly with as little disturbance as possible.
  3. When the fish eats don’t panic and trout set. You’re using a frog fly – let them eat it for a second before strip setting hard.
  4. Cast and work the frog fly as close to the bank as possible. Snakeheads expect frogs to seek the safety of land and they will come nearly out of the water to eat one.
  5. Walk more, cast less. Walk the bank slowly until you spot one. This will greatly improve you chances of actually hooking up.
  6. Canals are better than lakes. Canals give you a much better angle to see in the water due to steep banks.

Outfit size for snakeheads

Don’t be afraid to use a larger rod size. 7 to 9 weights are preferred due to their ability to cast larger flies more easily. The ideal snakehead rod has power in the lower tip to load large frog flies efficiently, feel in the upper tip for accuracy, and power in the butt section to horse the snakehead out of cover or up a bank.

When it comes to reels, durability and balance are all that matter. A solid aluminum reel that can get bounced around in the truck and thrown on the bank is ideal.

For a fly line you’ll want a floating line rated for tropical climates with an aggressive weight forward taper to load and punch big frog flies.

Best snakehead outfits

Leader size

Most of the time you will be fishing from canal banks and fish will be in heavy cover. To help lift these fish and pull them out of cover, use a 20lb leader. Using a knotless leader tied directly to the fly reduces snags, weeds, and tangles in thick cover.

Our favorite snakehead leader

The RIO Redfish/Seatrout Leader in 20lb has the ideal taper to turn over large frog flies and the strength to pull big fish out of cover.

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