Great Snakehead
name: Great Snakehead
other names: Toman
Colour variations in adult snakeheads depend on the colour of the water they inhabit. In alkaline water, they become very pale but in acidic water, they can become very brightly coloured with vibrant purples and bottle-green flashes along their backs. Snakeheads are extremely fierce, territorial and aggressive creatures - they use any opportunity to lash out and bite whatever might find its way into their territory.
In slow flowing or standing waters of swamps, channels and lakes Snake heads have very modest requirements for their habitat but they seem to prefer stagnant or sluggish water they are often found in muddy or shallow water or in rice fields that are almost dry here they hide among vegetation tree roots waiting for their prey which consists of fish and crustaceans if their habitat dries up some species can travel over land to another pond or survive for many months buried in mud.
Small preys such as frogs are taken in one gulp, but with their sharp teeth and powerful jaws, the big snakeheads are capable of immobilising large prey such as small carp. Prey is often bitten in half on the strike. They rarely chase down their prey, and prefer to attack from ambush with great speed and accuracy.
It has been recorded at over 35 kg, although fish over 9 kg are rare. It grows from fingerlings to about 2 kg in a year. Although fish over 15 kg are rare. Large snakeheads are solitary fish, which inhabit snags and heavily weeded areas. Submerged trees make an ideal home for an adult fish. They will remain under cover for most of the day, emerging only to feed and rarely swimming in mid-water.
The technique for Snakehead fishing is casting the lure in zones where you think the fish could be waiting for its prey, like you would spin for pike at home, casting to submerged trees, weed beds, small channels and so on. The snakehead is a fish that loves living on the bottom, but it is attracted by surface vibration and sounds; so every imitation of fish, frog or mouse presented on the surface, is the perfect lure for this predator fish.
RODS: Bait casting or spinning rods 6'2" - 7' - medium/heavy or heavy action
CASTING REELS: Should possess fast retrieve and have capacity to handle 30/40 lb braided line.
BRAIDED LINE : Big size Giant Snakeheads make light work of monofilament. Braided line is a must. Your braided line should be of 30 to 40 lb strength.
HOOKS & SPLIT RINGS: The strongest stainless treble hooks and split rings are highly required. TOP
WATER LURES: The best top water lures for those predator species are handmade here in Thailand by local Snakehead specialists. By experience, the T.Surf and the Addy lures are the very best of all. These lures are imitations of frogs, mice and small fish. Snakeheads are attracted by surface vibration and sounds so propellers of various size are added in front of the lure. We have been trying various models of foreign top water lures through the years but they don’t work too well on the Shado. Except for the Luhr-Jensen company “woodchoppers” (medium size model for the Peacock Bass) and poppers (9cm Rapala skitter pop or Yozuri) that can be also very effective. RAPALAS: Rapala 11 FT MAG (fire tiger) and J 13 FT (fire tiger) are my old time favourite lures but all the models below can be real "killers". SPOONS: Due to their heavy metal construction, spoons can be cast for long distances. And with a fast retrieve they make Jungle Perch strike more ferocious (silver shiny things are best). Snakeheads eventually go for them too.
