Invasive species caught in Lincolnshire

[luckyjim]

OK, so the link is to a Sun article, but nevertheless...

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article817553.ece

 

 

A SAVAGE fish more terrifying than a piranha has been caught in Britain for the first time — sparking fears of a deadly invasion. The vicious giant snakehead EATS everything it comes across and has even been reported to KILL people. The monster — from south-east Asia — has a mouth crammed with fearsome teeth, can “crawl” on land and survive out of water for up to four days.

 

News that a 2ft specimen had been hooked in an English river caused widespread panic among anglers and conservationists.

 

An Environment Agency source said last night: “The reaction was, ‘Oh s***’. This is the ultimate invasive species — if it starts breeding here it’s a disaster.” Angler Andy Alder caught the snakehead while using a sprat as bait for pike on the River Witham near North Hykeham, Lincs. Andy, of Lincoln, said: “It had a gob full of razor-sharp teeth. To be honest it looked terrifying.”

[Stretpegger]

I thought the April 1st was a few weeks away yet!

[Newt]

The snake-head is very real although not the horror that article would indicate.

 

They are also a very tasty fish and so stupidly aggressive they will take topwater lures in really spectacular fashion. That can be a great combination for anglers (but be sure to use cheap topwater lures since they tend to destroy them).

 

I think this is the first time I've seen a single issue raise three separate threads though.

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/predator-t81938.html

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/change-...d33-t81945.html

[Guest tigger]

I think Pike would find them irrisistable. They would make excellent bait dead or alive.

[Dick Dastardly]

Grow to 44lbs eh? Lets hope a few get a taste for carp then

[Stretpegger]

The snake-head is very real although not the horror that article would indicate.

 

They are also a very tasty fish and so stupidly aggressive they will take topwater lures in really spectacular fashion. That can be a great combination for anglers (but be sure to use cheap topwater lures since they tend to destroy them).

 

I think this is the first time I've seen a single issue raise three separate threads though.

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/predator-t81938.html

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/change-...d33-t81945.html

 

Hi Newt

Yes i have heard of the "snakehead" but it was the link to the Sun newspaper that made me smile.They have a certain reputation in the U.K. and have done a few dog eating monster pike type stories over the years.Not that i purchase it of course!

[luckyjim]

I wonder if there was further elaboration of the EA's "response," as quoted in The Sun?

 

 

This species is widely available as food in SE Asia as they are specifically "grown" in large aqua-culture enterprises. Apparently it has a similar taste to eel. Snakeheads are a highly adaptable and efficient predator/scavenger. Thay are also tough, able to withstand periods of low-raifall and drought (adapted to breathe air) and unreliant upon specific ecosystems.

[Peter M]

maybe they will eat all the signal crayfish in our river systems

[captain cojones]

maybe we can get them to eat all the sun journalists'

(and the readers as well for good measure)

[butiaboy]

here is a more responsible source

 

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...m.php?news=1588