Anybody Snag Fish? 2024
Daniel My Brother reply :
Snagging season in Missouri opens on September 15th. One of the channels I like to fish is overrun with silver carp --the flying kind-- and I really want to pull some out. The filthy plankton eaters won't take bait so snagging is my only option. I've done some snagging in the past and had mixed results.
Does anybody here snag, and if so, do you have any advice? We'll be snagging from the bank, and targeting fish that feed near the surface. I'd guess you'd call it sight snagging.
We plan to clean and eat what we catch. The meat is tasty, although you're lucky to get a pound of fillets from a 10lb fish as they are very boney.
Grey Wolf reply :
Snagging season???????????
Is it just for carp? Your state fishing regulations should inform you what kind of set-ups you are allowed to use.
Daniel My Brother reply :
Any non-game fish can be taken by snagging on certain waters. Gar and paddlefish are also popular targets. The regs are helpful at outlining what's legal, but they aren't much for offering tips.
Right now my rig is a heavy action rod with 65lb braid and a mono leader with 2, 11/0 treble hooks, and a weight on the bottom. Pretty basic set up.
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
Silver Carp, Bring the 7 iron 
Maybe a wedge too
Crabcakes reply :
I use a weighted snag hook. I use them surf casting for bunker, but they should work for you. It gives very good casting distance (which may or may not be necessary in your situation), but more importantly you get the full force of the rod sweep right at the hook point. Its very simple, doesn't tangle, and seems to have good sticking power. Against carp that are sort of thick skinned it might give you better pentration. I let it drop to the level i expect fish to be then set the hook very hard in a horizontal sweep. I then let it sink for just a second then repeat.
Here's a picture:
http://www.wholesalecentral.com/maulsa0001/store.cfm?event=itemdetail&itemid=811552&returnto=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ewholesalecentral%2Ecom%2Fmaulsa0001%2Fstore%2Ecfm%3Fevent%3Dshowcatalog%26catid%3D86591
They tend to come in big sizes (7/0-13/0) but thats good if you're targeting largish carp. I don't know if thats a good site to buy from but if you get no luck with weighted treble try searching "bunker snag hook".
Daniel My Brother reply :
QuoteSilver Carp, Bring the 7 ironMaybe a wedge too
That's just sick and wrong.
Hey MDangler, I usually tie egg sinkers to my hooks, but I like your built in weight idea better.
Aaron reply :
I have never done it, but my dad used to. It used to be a big thing on KY and Barkley for Spoonbill.
Anyway my dad would use a 7'6" Heavy action rod (almost a broomstick) with a rubber ball attached to the butt of the rod for padding. I am not sure which model but he swears by Penn reels, I think a 309. He used HEAVY mono line and big treble hooks and weights.
Certified Public Angler reply :
I use a heavy rod with 30lbs braid. Tied on a monster treble and use some split shots. I like to take a white senko and wacky rig it so I can attempt to see my bait as I'm reeling closer to the target. Just make sure to bring your polarized glasses.
Crabcakes reply :
QuoteThey're nice if you can find them in the right sizes, which can be hard in some areas, but the other way works too (as you already know).
GonzoFishing reply :
Ive snagged mullet here in Florida using a weighted treble hook/snag hook. Its pretty easy since they tend to run in huge schools and they are sort of dumb
Daniel My Brother reply :
QuoteIve snagged mullet here in Florida using a weighted treble hook/snag hook. Its pretty easy since they tend to run in huge schools and they are sort of dumb
That's exactly how I like my women.
Dumb and easy to catch.
hamer08 reply :
I've snagged silver and bighead carp before. We use 10/0 weighted trebles, they work alot better than the unweighted ones. If you can't find them you can always pour your own.
http://www.do-itmolds.com/prodmolds.aspx?c=87
One thing I haven't seen mentioned and I think is very important is the gear ratio of your reel. You will do a lot of reeling in and a high gear ratio helps alot. You also don't want this hook hitting the bottom, so you need to reel fast. I use a 1:6.3 ratio large baitcaster, I wish I had a 1:7. I use a file to sharpen my hooks. I routinely put one or two hook points through 4" fish while snagging, its amazing to snag a wee little fish with a monster hook.
We usually wait for low water and let the asian carp pile up below the levees. When the action is good its almost hard not to snag one, they are so thick. Its easy to catch several hundred pounds, with the average fish in the 20lb range. They keep getting bigger every year. I saw a 94 lb shot with an arrow in the Mississippi this year. My biggest has probably been 30 something. Although I had one break 30 lb braid after I had to tighten down the drag to keep him from spooling me.
hamer08 reply :
Here is a picture of the big carp, it was 92 lbs. Either way its big.
http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/index.php?/pso/article/big_story_on_the_bighead/
Hung up Paul reply :
My dad and I used to do it when I was a kid in Western NY. We'd target King Salmon toward the end of their spawning runs (the only legal time). The only thing we ever caught though were huge carp.
I don't think snag fishing is legal in NY any more.
FivePoundBluegill reply :
You dont have to snag carp. They are actually easyer to get to bite than bass especially if there are loads of them in the lake. You wait til evening and look for a spot where the water is cloudy. You will probably see some carp in the area too. If the water is cloudy the carp are feeding. They will take simple baits like bread and corn. Just use a circle hook and spinning gear. Snagging is kind of lame man unless its accidental.
hamer08 reply :
QuoteYou dont have to snag carp. They are actually easyer to get to bite than bass especially if there are loads of them in the lake.
The OP is targeting Asian carp (silver and Bighead) an invasive species in the Mississippi river drainage. They only eat plankton and are very different than the common carp. They can grow a pound a month and quickly out grow predators. Most states affected require you to harvest/destroy the fish if caught and have legalized snagging because of Asian carp.
QuoteSnagging is kind of lame man unless its accidental.
Its funny that snagging fish is less acceptable than using a bait to catch them. But with mammals it's the exact opposite. Its OK to trap or kill a mammal, but using a bait to lure them is unethical.
Fishing Rhino reply :
QuoteQuoteIve snagged mullet here in Florida using a weighted treble hook/snag hook. Its pretty easy since they tend to run in huge schools and they are sort of dumbThat's exactly how I like my women.
Dumb and easy to catch.
LOL. Reminds me of the story about a beautiful woman and her husband who thought she was dumb.
He asked her, if God doesn't make a mistake, why would he make a woman as beautiful as she was, so dumb?
The answer, she said, was easy. God made her beautiful so he could love her, and God made her dumb so she could love him.
crasha51pan reply :
We snag salmon until mid Nov.
Daniel My Brother reply :
QuoteSnagging is kind of lame man unless its accidental.
I'm kind of lame too, so it's a good fit for me.
Izzy3374 reply :
I like the 7 iron and sand wedge idea 
SirSnookalot reply :
QuoteSnagging is kind of lame man unless its accidental.
Says it for me..........snagging is as sporting as blowing them out of the water with m-80's or cherry bombs.
Daniel My Brother reply :
QuoteQuoteSnagging is kind of lame man unless its accidental.Says it for me..........snagging is as sporting as blowing them out of the water with m-80's or cherry bombs.
Better to leave the cherry bombs at home and bring the dynamite. No, I'm not kidding.
My guess is that you don't know a lot about the danger Asian Carp (Silver & Bighead) pose in the midwest....or have had one of your favorite lakes ruined (read: no more game fish) by an invasive species that reproduces at an alarming rate and eats half its sizable body weight in plankton each day.
Here's hoping the electric barriers keep them out of the Great Lakes.
SirSnookalot reply :
I'll stick to real fishing.
Izzy3374 reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteSnagging is kind of lame man unless its accidental.Says it for me..........snagging is as sporting as blowing them out of the water with m-80's or cherry bombs.
Better to leave the cherry bombs at home and bring the dynamite. No, I'm not kidding.
My guess is that you don't know a lot about the danger Asian Carp (Silver & Bighead) pose in the midwest....or have had one of your favorite lakes ruined (read: no more game fish) by an invasive species that reproduces at an alarming rate and eats half its sizable body weight in plankton each day.
Here's hoping the electric barriers keep them out of the Great Lakes.
You said it! They are destroying lakes everywhere here in Illinois. Snag em' Shoot em' Blow em' up. Who cares, just get rid of them.
MikeStadler reply :
I love snaggin!!! There are not too many ways to catch a spoonbill without draggin the bottom, not to mention they taste pretty darn good too.
I think that one of the fun ways to catch (shoot) those asian carp would be to go after them with archery gear. Some of those Youtube videos look sweet.
NYfishwow reply :
Mikestager, great idea catching those spoonbills, i think its the only way to snag the fish form bottom. There is no other way.
fourbizz reply :
QuoteI'll stick to real fishing.
Don't forget being pompous!
Stick with what you do best.
Izzy3374 reply :
QuoteI love snaggin!!! There are not too many ways to catch a spoonbill without draggin the bottom, not to mention they taste pretty darn good too.I think that one of the fun ways to catch (shoot) those asian carp would be to go after them with archery gear. Some of those Youtube videos look sweet.
Ive thought about getting one of those bows with the reel on it. Looks like a lot of fun.
SirSnookalot reply :
QuoteI'll stick to real fishing.Don't forget being pompous!
Merely gave an opinion on snagging, I don't care for it, but if you do, have fun. Personally I see no real challenge or any fishing expertise in it, I'm staying with I do best and that's real fishing.
fourbizz reply :
Good job!
Here, have a cookie!
Gatorbassman reply :
Keep it respectful guys. He's staying within the law.
carrothead reply :
White suckers at the river in Mt. Ida. Funnest fishing you'll ever experience. ;D
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