Cobra Snakehead in Florida
| THIS IS THE ONE AND THE SAME COBRA SNAKEHEAD EVERY THAI LURE ANGLER DREAMS ABOUT
Now dear reader, if you have any good knowledge about Snakehead species
or if you have the chance to target them with rod and line on a regular
basis, I'm pretty sure what you just have read has amazed you as much as
it amazed me. I was even more astonished when I looked carefully at the photo featured
on the Florida Division of Freshwater Fisheries website page showing that
unwanted snakehead specimen. I just couldn't believe my eyes. Not a single
doubt about it, that alien fish was the very same Cobra Snakehead that
any Thai lure angler dreams to catch in his lifetime.
So I couldn't resist contacting Bob Wattendorf, the Marketing and Special
Projects Coordinator Division of Freshwater Fisheries and biologist
Paul Shafland to offer photos and reliable information about their exotic
alien fish. Speaking about them, I must commend both for the extreme
quality of their expertise in their respective duties.
Since the very first mail I received about the snakehead invasion, I
have learned that more snakeheads have been found in 6 other states: Hawaii,
California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, according
to the Interior Department. The fish gained then more notoriety after several
snakeheads of another species, the Channa argus this time, were found in
a Maryland pond. Now Maryland officials are considering poisoning the small
lake where at least 80 baby snakeheads have been found.
Since the snakehead phobia started I have received more and more mail
from American angler friends who are keeping me posted about the evolution
of the whole story. Most of them have experienced some exciting jungle
Snakehead fishing with us here in Thailand and are now snakehead fans.
Boy, that snakehead is making a big name for itself on Uncle Sam's territory!
One friend from Kansas City wrote me recently: This Snakehead thing just
won't quit. US citizens are really frightened of this animal. The "Frankenfish"
may now cost you $5,000.00 if you are caught transporting one. I can't
remember such paranoia sweeping the country over something as common as
a predator fish. Another smart guy from Chicago suggested, "Regarding
the USA reaction to the latest SNAKEHEAD phobia, I think that a tremendous
opportunity has presented itself. A month or so ago absolutely no
one that I talked to knew what a snakehead was. When I told my fellow
anglers I was going to Thailand to catch snakeheads I'd just get a blank
stare and no recognition at all. NOW-everybody knows about the snakehead!
If anyone ever wanted to initiate a marketing blitz to sell fishing trips
for this species, THIS would be the time!"
|
I WOULD BE GLAD TO HELP GET RID OF THEM :)
I just came back to Bangkok a few days ago from another snakehead fishing
expedition near the Burmese border (see exotic fish pictures). I was there with a small group of European
anglers to try hooking some good size specimens of the big brother of all
snakehead species, the Giant Snakehead (Channa micropeltes) and eventually
setting up there new IGFA world records.
|
| We succeeded by catching 3 record
size fish of that unique and amazing species, known to be extremely tough
and hardy, and that can grow to over one meter long and 15 kg (~40 inches, 30 lbs.). There is no
fish to be compared except maybe Peacock Bass. |
IGFA world record Giant Snakehead (~16.5 lbs) |
5.75 kg (~12.7 lb.) Giant Snakehead |
Jungle perch torn in half by the Giant Snakehead |
| Months ago, before the snakehead
phobia happened, the IGFA understood what terrific fighters are those Asian
freshwater warriors. All Snakehead anglers must praise the IGFA people
for having the intelligence to open a new category for line classes and
fly rod records for all Snakehead (Channa spp), starting July 15th 2002.
I have never been to the States but I know I would love to get there
before I die. To step on the American soil has been the dream of most European
teenagers of my generation (including myself) who were wearing blue jeans,
taking extreme care of our fifties style duck tail and listening all day
long to rock'n'roll tunes from Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis or Eddie Cochran.
I even rode a 1976 Sportser Harley-Davidson for years too and today the
only music I am listening to has to be American soul, rhythm & blues and
Chicago blues. You see America how much I love you!
So I am thinking now. If luckily they can escape the human killing,
it would be a good reason for me to make my old dream come true. I wouldn't
mind paying a visit someday to those lovely Florida Cobra Snakeheads, once
they reach a decent size. I could eventually offer to the authorities
there my service as a fishing consultant. Who knows? I might be able to
convince them I am the right guy to get the job done. I am telling them that the most efficient way of all to start that purge
has to be casting in the water some good killer weapons such
as Thai handmade top water lures of course!
They might believe
me if I tell them I am the only snakehead expert able to help them get
rid of those unwelcome and undesirable creatures, extremely aggressive
and voracious, and bearing mortal venom ;)
Right now I am in my office, sitting at the computer. But I already
see myself by the water under the Florida sun, a big smile on my face.
Jean-Francois Helias
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