Not a bluegill, but...

[Michael Stockelman]

Probably a few hundred bluegill went into growing this hulk, so maybe that counts?

It's the infamous Northern Snakehead (26", 8 lb), my first time to catch one. It's too big to fit in a selfie!

I was doing my usual thing, walking a jig with short cranks under a bobber. The bait was a little more aggressive this time: a three-inch storm shad instead of my typical 2-inch curly-tail. 

Anyway, I always enjoy sharing my more dramatic moments. Thanks!

[Jim Gronaw]

We actually targeted them last year in the Mattawoman on MD's side of the Potomac. Came up empty, but most guys who bass fish the Potomac have encountered them. Great fish!

[Michael Stockelman]

Jason, I was at a marina at Bolling Air Force Base, in the southern tip of Washington DC. The marina is a little cove a couple hundred feet across, mostly separated from the main river by a rock wall. The tide had almost bottomed out, and I caught it in 3-4 feet of water.

[dick tabbert]

Unusual fish but I can see lots of drag pulling there.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Another first for me, too.

I dont know how you could mistake one for a bowfin, though. Look at that superb pattern.

4 lbs of fillet - thats nice. Like you say, they're here now. May as well catch them and enjoy.

[Jason Preslar]

I want to catch one! Where was this caught if you don't mind me asking? Thanks and awesome fish!

[Allen Morgan]

I hear they're tasty!

Do you have any Asian friends, or know anyone that works in a Chinese restaurant?  If so, ask them what's the best way to prepare those things.

Whenever you're fishing, keep your eyes open for bait-balls of Snakehead fry.  The fry are bright red.  Momma and Poppa will be very close, so throw a big noisy topwater towards the fry and hang on.

[Slip Sinker]

those fillets must have looked huge!

[Michael Stockelman]

Thanks, guys!

The fight was an action comedy, with me scrambling to put the pole down somewhere that I probably wouldn't lose it while I dug my folding net out of the car. Surprisingly, the fish didn't make any long runs on the drag, but it did kick a lot. I don't know if that's typical, for them to thrash more than swim away.

Four pounds of filet meat in the end. (Officially, snakeheads can't be released; the regulations are trying to limit their spread, even though that ship has already sailed.) It was a female with eggs- I read yesterday that under ideal conditions they can spawn five times a year.

[Slip Sinker]

wow great fish

this fish is on my bucket list... not just one but many of them. lol

must have been a great battle!

great eaters too

[carl hendrix]

congrats on catching that one Michael!!  first snake head fish I have seen caught!!