Canal Behind My House, Part 3 2024
---=Martin=--- reply :
OK, I know I've posted about the canal behind my house a lot, but I need to post something else :-)
Two major developments were observed in the last few days:
1) For the first time in 6 or 8 months I've caught a bass in it!!! And my brother caught one too, on a fly rod with a popping top-water fly or something. On the same day! In a matter of few hours! We both caught a bass each! They were nothing to write home about, but still! I think it's due to all the recent heavy rain in S.FL., the water levels went way up, and they must have swam in from larger connecting canals.
2) On the same day I saw 2 separate schools of baby snakeheads being guarded by parents. One was 100 yards down from the other one. So looks like the snakehead population in that dinky little canal is about to go through the roof, I've also been catching smaller ones lately, baby snakeheads that are 12-14 inches, along with larger adults. Awesome!!!
Previous canal thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/117767-canal-behind-my-house-redux-awesomeness/
And here: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/112227-canal-behind-my-house-help/
mg4u2nv reply :
This time of the year is awesome for bass fishing! Overcast skies and rain everyday does somethin to them! I love it!
JellyMan reply :
Slow roll brush hogs down it. I had a place like that at an apartment complex I lived in in Orlando and I caught many bass in it. Some over 5lbs.
Swamp Johnny reply :
If the Snakehead population goes through the roof, there won't be anything left in the canal but Snakehead. Think about contacting the Game & Freshwater Fish commission. They'd probably be VERY interested in eliminating that brood of Snakehead.
(Personally, if I saw a ball of baby Snakehead, I'd catch as many in a cast net I could and then put them in a bucket with some clorox. Snakehead are bad Ju Ju for most native (and even non-native) fish.)
---=Martin=--- reply :
On 6/5/2013 at 4:19 AM, Swamp Johnny said:If the Snakehead population goes through the roof, there won't be anything left in the canal but Snakehead. Think about contacting the Game & Freshwater Fish commission. They'd probably be VERY interested in eliminating that brood of Snakehead.
(Personally, if I saw a ball of baby Snakehead, I'd catch as many in a cast net I could and then put them in a bucket with some clorox. Snakehead are bad Ju Ju for most native (and even non-native) fish.)
yeaaaa, they also happen to be my favorite fish to catch :-) and release :-P
i guess i don't mind that my little canal is full of them, as long as that canal is all mine for fishing :-) and so far i only saw people fish there on 3 occasions (lived there for over a year now). one guy on a boat throwing spinner baits, one neighbor throwing topwater frog, and some kids with worms and bobbers 
and next time i see a school of small snakeheads i'll catch one and put it in a tank LOL
BrettD reply :
On 6/5/2013 at 4:19 AM, Swamp Johnny said:If the Snakehead population goes through the roof, there won't be anything left in the canal but Snakehead. Think about contacting the Game & Freshwater Fish commission. They'd probably be VERY interested in eliminating that brood of Snakehead.
(Personally, if I saw a ball of baby Snakehead, I'd catch as many in a cast net I could and then put them in a bucket with some clorox. Snakehead are bad Ju Ju for most native (and even non-native) fish.)
There is no proof that snakeheads hurt the bass population some people even go as far as saying it helps.
---=Martin=--- reply :
On 6/5/2013 at 4:33 AM, BrettD said:There is no proof that snakeheads hurt the bass population so people even go as far as saying it helps.
+1
I hear they live in good harmony with other species in S. FL.
BP10 reply :
On 6/5/2013 at 4:33 AM, BrettD said:There is no proof that snakeheads hurt the bass population so people even go as far as saying it helps.
your wrong here they eat everything open one up you will see n i fish what they call "ground zero" for snakeheads aka c-14 before they got released into our canals fishing was great here then snakeheads came and killed the fishing but when FWC wanted them dead n the roundups started happening the bass bite has came back in c-14 took a few years but its back , if you dont keep them in check they will kill off the canal em
BrettD reply :
On 6/5/2013 at 4:58 AM, BP10 said:your wrong here they eat everything open one up you will see n i fish what they call "ground zero" for snakeheads aka c-14 before they got released into our canals fishing was great here then snakeheads came and killed the fishing but when FWC wanted them dead n the roundups started happening the bass bite has came back in c-14 took a few years but its back , if you dont keep them in check they will kill off the canal em
I stand by what I said. If what your saying is true why did that bass population come back even thought they have stopped the round ups? The small amount of fish they did kill probably didnt even make a dent in the population. At first the balance may be a little out of whack but in time the ecosystem balances itself out. Snakeheads spawn twice a year and have little to none sharp spines and make great forage for bass.
There is no documented research saying snakeheads hurt the bass popultion.
BP10 reply :
On 6/5/2013 at 5:09 AM, BrettD said:I stand by what I said. If what your saying is true why did that bass population come back even thought they have stopped the round ups? The small amount of fish they did kill probably didnt even make a dent in the population. At first the balance may be a little out of whack but in time the ecosystem balances itself out. Snakeheads spawn twice a year and have little to none sharp spines and make great forage for bass.
There is no documented research saying snakeheads hurt the bass popultion.
they didnt stop the round ups there one saturday june 8 and there was one last month and FWC put one on may 18th and if they arent bad why would the FWC do electric shocks in c-14 to get rid of them. like i said before if u dont keep them in check they will overrun your canal. ive seen it first hand fish the c-14 twice a week and its not just the bass popultion they hurt they eat everything so it takes away from what the bass eat might not be eattin as many bass but they eat all the food frog lizards whatever else they can feast on
Swamp Johnny reply :
There has been many studies on the adverse affect Snakeheads have on native (AND Non-native) fish populations. Why???
Snakehead are (generally) more aggressive than Bluegill, Bass, Catfish, Etc.
They take care of their young better than any other (native) fish species, which will allow them to proliferate quickly. And like BP10 mentions, they will eat everything and anything- which will indirectly affect your native fish populations in your canal.
Might take a couple years- but, eventually, you'll want to catch something besides a Snakehead in your canal and you won't be able to.
I thought Snakehead infestation was well documented and thoroughly well-known as bad ju ju???
hooah212002 reply :
On 6/5/2013 at 8:23 AM, Swamp Johnny said:
I thought Snakehead infestation was well documented and thoroughly well-known as bad ju ju???
It is, but you have to actually read the documentation to know that. Otherwise, people go off of gut feelings and wives tales.
SirSnookalot reply :
If they were in my backyard canal I'd be fishing for them too. Personally when it comes to freshwater fishing I like catching bass over snakeheads and peacocks over bass. Haven't seen any here yet, I'm sure it's just a matter of time until we do, but I hope not, if I want them I'll drive to Broward. I did find an area that was loaded with them and caught some nice ones, I just do not enjoy fishing in that muck, but I'm sure I'll venture down there again.
AK-Jax86 reply :
I haven't caught a snakehead before I live in Jacksonville I don't think we have them up here, maybe we do but I haven't caught or came across any
BrettD reply :
On 6/5/2013 at 8:42 AM, hooah212002 said:It is, but you have to actually read the documentation to know that. Otherwise, people go off of gut feelings and wives tales.
I've read all the documentation on them and there was no concrete evidence supporting what they were saying. Im not going by a wives tale Im going by what I witness in nature. When peacock bass started spreading through the canals everybody was saying the same crap. Nature has a way of balancing itself out.
Sam Fisher reply :
On 6/5/2013 at 8:54 PM, BrettD said:I've read all the documentation on them and there was no concrete evidence supporting what they were saying. Im not going by a wives tale Im going by what I witness in nature. When peacock bass started spreading through the canals everybody was saying the same crap. Nature has a way of balancing itself out.
The difference is In 1984, after 10 years of study, Florida officials deliberately introduced butterfly peacock bass and speckled peacock bass to the southern region of Florida.
Diggy reply :
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/14/3286192/broward-canal-yields-dubious-record.html
Gestring said the FWC also considers the bullseye snakehead permanently established in Northwest Broward. Scientists expect they will eventually escape into the Everglades but believe the warm-water species probably wouldn’t survive north of Orlando.
In the Northwest Broward canal system, they don’t appear to have wreaked ecological havoc, Gestring said. After a decade, there is no sign they’re doing any more damage than 22 other foreign fish that also have settled in Florida’s freshwater canals and lakes.
“What we’re seeing is that the native fish population seems to be holding strong,’’ he said. “We’ve not been able to detect any measurable impacts by bullseye snakeheads on any of our individual native species.’’
-------------------------------------
from the Miami Herald Article - Snakehead Posing No Threat
Early results from the FWC's most recent electrofishing study in the C-14 (stunning fish with a mild electrical charge so they can be examined) shows that although snakeheads are abundant, they are not destroying populations of largemouth and peacock bass -- the two main gamefish species in South Florida lakes and canals.
FWC scientists using the marine version of electric cattle prods caught as many as 1.58 snakeheads per minute weighing up to 9.2 pounds.
Examining the stomach contents of 127 dead snakeheads, they found the remains of 13 of their own species plus one bluegill, 11 mosquitofish, seven warmouth, two peacock bass, several lizards, bufo toads, small turtles, a rat and a snake. No remains of largemouth bass were found.
Looking at 68 peacock bass' stomachs, the researchers found 16 snakeheads. In 41 largemouth bass, they found one.
"They seem to be complementary predators," Shafland said, referring to snakeheads versus peacocks and largemouth. "We don't see one dominating the others. I think they're all pretty much holding their own."
hooah212002 reply :
On 6/6/2013 at 12:29 AM, Diggy said:No remains of largemouth bass were found.
Looking at 68 peacock bass' stomachs, the researchers found 16 snakeheads. In 41 largemouth bass, they found one.
"They seem to be complementary predators," Shafland said, referring to snakeheads versus peacocks and largemouth. "We don't see one dominating the others. I think they're all pretty much holding their own."
I thought the problem was competition for forage, not that the new species was eating the LMB. When you combine two apex predators feeding on the same thing, one eventually goes extinct. Which makes me wonder why Pike aren't seen as more of a nuisance.
Diggy reply :
On 6/6/2013 at 12:37 AM, hooah212002 said:I thought the problem was competition for forage, not that the new species was eating the LMB. When you combine two apex predators feeding on the same thing, one eventually goes extinct. Which makes me wonder why Pike aren't seen as more of a nuisance.
Im not sure if you have seen bass attacking the Snakehead Fry, but they get to feast on large amounts of snakehead too
I took a pic of snakes guarding the fry, what you didnt see in the pic was the school of bass sitting waiting and at times trying to attack
.
hooah212002 reply :
On 6/6/2013 at 12:42 AM, Diggy said:Im not sure if you have seen bass attacking the Snakehead Fry, but they get to feast on large amounts of snakehead too
I took a pic of snakes guarding the fry, what you didnt see in the pic was the school of bass sitting waiting and at times trying to attack.
Fair enough, but the discussion is most certainly not "are largemouth bass a problem for the snakehead population?". The way you say this is as if the snakeheads are sure to die off and cannot sustain their numbers. That is, if the LMB eat that many of their young. If that were the case, we likely would not be having this discussion and it would not be a heated debate every time it is brought up.
I am genuinely curious and only sound combative because I have zero tact, so I apologize if I come across rude.
Diggy reply :
On 6/6/2013 at 12:48 AM, hooah212002 said:Fair enough, but the discussion is most certainly not "are largemouth bass a problem for the snakehead population?". The way you say this is as if the snakeheads are sure to die off and cannot sustain their numbers. That is, if the LMB eat that many of their young. If that were the case, we likely would not be having this discussion and it would not be a heated debate every time it is brought up.
I am genuinely curious and only sound combative because I have zero tact, so I apologize if I come across rude.
No biggie, I used to put them down initially until I started to see them more and watch them interact with other fish doing no harm. Theres a lot of false info going around with them. Many of my friends have stopped killing them based on myself and the word of others.
Its overblown and this is common
---=Martin=--- reply :
On 6/6/2013 at 12:42 AM, Diggy said:Im not sure if you have seen bass attacking the Snakehead Fry, but they get to feast on large amounts of snakehead too
I took a pic of snakes guarding the fry, what you didnt see in the pic was the school of bass sitting waiting and at times trying to attack
man i love that picture!!! i've seen the same thing twice this weekend in my canal. i spotted two groups guarding fry withing 100-150 yards of each-other.
fstr385 reply :
These studies were also taken where mass quantities of this fish are killed, as its a popular canal for the snakehead. There are tournaments held by several different groups, on top of regular fishermen picking them off. I think as long as theyre under conrol like that, there wouldnt be such an impact, but I think if they were left alone, other fish species would drop off. There is a lake inside of a jobsite I work at in pompano thats being filled in. Its not connected to any other bodies of water in the area. It used to be full of talapia, bass, bluegill, ect. Now that 50% of the lake is full, I havent seen any other fish species other than piles of snakehead and some gar, nor have I caught anything other than snakeheads. I didnt see bluegill or anything. I figured all the fish would be smooshed in tight and fishing would be great. They simply arent there anymore. As far as peacock bass go, they were introduced intentionally to aid in lowering the amount of invasive species. I like catching snakeheads and know they arent going anywhere, but do think they need to be kept under control if possible. Most of the time if I catch one, I kill it and eat it, but i dont just kill them for the hell of it. Peacock bass may have helped in keeping their population down alsoin in the C-14 system, but I think most of them diminished a few years ago from cold weather.
Thats my .02
Diggy reply :
On 6/6/2013 at 12:53 AM, fstr385 said:These studies were also taken where mass quantities of this fish are killed, as its a popular canal for the snakehead. There are tournaments held by several different groups, on top of regular fishermen picking them off. I think as long as theyre under conrol like that, there wouldnt be such an impact, but I think if they were left alone, other fish species would drop off. There is a lake inside of a jobsite I work at in pompano thats being filled in. Its not connected to any other bodies of water in the area. It used to be full of talapia, bass, bluegill, ect. Now that 50% of the lake is full, I havent seen any other fish species other than piles of snakehead and some gar, nor have I caught anything other than snakeheads. I didnt see bluegill or anything. I figured all the fish would be smooshed in tight and fishing would be great. They simply arent there anymore. As far as peacock bass go, they were introduced intentionally to aid in lowering the amount of invasive species. I like catching snakeheads and know they arent going anywhere, but do think they need to be kept under control if possible. Most of the time if I catch one, I kill it and eat it, but i dont just kill them for the hell of it. Peacock bass may have helped in keeping their population down alsoin in the C-14 system, but I think most of them diminished a few years ago from cold weather.
Thats my .02
Where is this lake you speak of, Id like to make a trip there. I will be in Broward this weekend, shoot me a pm if its accessible
---=Martin=--- reply :
On 6/6/2013 at 12:56 AM, Diggy said:Where is this lake you speak of, Id like to make a trip there. I will be in Broward this weekend, shoot me a pm if its accessible
don't tell him fstr385!!! it was supposed to be our secret!!! that's where my new world record lives!!!!
LOL!!! J/K!!! do tell, do tell, hey let's go together :-)
fstr385 reply :
look inside WM property on the corner of wiles and powerline, there is a small lake in there getting filled in with crush concrete, tile, ect. I can tell everyone because its private property 
Martin, its the one I showed you on the way out from the one in the rear. The snakeheads aren't as big as in the back, but they are ALL OVER in there.
---=Martin=--- reply :
On 6/6/2013 at 6:31 AM, fstr385 said:look inside WM property on the corner of wiles and powerline, there is a small lake in there getting filled in with crush concrete, tile, ect. I can tell everyone because its private property
Martin, its the one I showed you on the way out from the one in the rear. The snakeheads aren't as big as in the back, but they are ALL OVER in there.
Judas!!!!
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